Monday, February 20, 2006
Goodnight Stardust Trooper
Charmane passed away this morning. She was ill for a long time, and she has always been prepared. But it hasn't quite sunk in for me yet. It's not something one would expect of someone so young and full of life. Suddenly my own life feels so shallow, and I'm starting to question everything I've done and become. When you are young, you tell yourself you still have lots of time. You start selling out on your dreams, one by one. Then one day you wake up, and you realize that you are out of time and out of dreams. But sometimes, if you're really lucky, you meet a special person along the way who teaches you to cherish the here-and-now. For me, Charmane was, and still is that person. Every time I feel like giving up, I think of her passion for Starbucks and it drives me on. She was more than a DCM and RMT batchmate to me, she was also a friend. I cried today, for the friend that I've lost.I don't have the words to inspire like she did, all I have are her words from an email she sent to all Starbucks stores a little more than a year ago...
"Hi Lovely Partners ;)
Thank you so much!
I want to extend my most sincere and heartfelt thanks to all of you.
I totally appreciate the fundraising efforts that you handsome guys and pretty gals have done. Sorry that I can't mention names, if not this email will go on forever but people, you know who you are and I'm extremely touched by your kind gestures and huge contributions in every way.
Hey, cancer is not the end of the world, especially not when I work with people like you in Starbucks.
Smile when you see me k? Don't look worried. Hey, I am the one with cancer and I'm smiling, why not you? We'll both feel better and chirpier! I'm determined to live strong and fight this naughty tumour, especially after all the effort that you partners have put in supporting me in this battle.
It is people like you who keep me going strong. That is one main reason why I convinced my doctors and parents to let me continue working through my illness. Since I was diagnosed late 2003, I've met so many instances of kindness from my partners and my old and new regular customers. You spur me on in my cancer battle. If it wasn't that my tumour has been really naughty lately, I would have continued to work along with all of you. :)
Starbucks partners, we have heart and soul. We are different and we know it. Only Starbucks partners can pinpoint our difference! We have passion and ownership and we care for one another. I know I wake up everyday looking forward to work in my store because my partners and I care for one another and I feel like the store is mine. That's why we are so dynamic and vibrant here in Starbucks.
It is almost always a happy environment in our third places. A customer once told me that my store partners are always so happy and it is one of the happiest places she came across. I just smiled and told her it is innate in all of our Starbucks partners. She smiled and replied that she is going to visit our other outlets too. This is just a small example of our difference- your passion and mine. I have experienced it firsthand through your every little effort. You showed me you cared, just as I have always believed.
Obstacles like my Lymphoma cancer are just the basis for a more beautiful design in my life. I'm glad this beautiful design comes in the form of our partners and the siren. I'm very fortunate to be amongst you wonderful people. Thank you again.
Before I sign off, I have some stuff to tell you. I'm not being philosophical or cheesy ;P but cancer made me realise these. Go do the things that you have always wanted to do. Don't procrastinate anymore, not everyone has the time to wait 10 years for you. Life is short, not everyone has a tomorrow. Pursue your dreams and goals with vengeance!
I love all of you deep deep!
Please wait for me to come back. I miss you people sooooo much!
Hugs & Kisses,
Charmane
SB-OE
PS:
MODs, please help me print this out to let your partners read my heartfelt thank you note k? Thanks!
If I miss out anyone, please help me send to them k? My sincere apologies."
Thanks Charmane for sprinkling some of your stardust in my life.
Goodnight Stardust Trooper. Rest well.
