Her name was Koj. (“Kris” ) She worked for me. She was a wife, a mother to an amazing pooch, an Auntie, a great friend to her friends and overall just a nice human being. Four words that describe her: Stylish, Sophisticated, Intelligent and Fabulous. In her professional life, she was an award-winning veteran of the technology industry. She’d forgotten more than you’ll ever know about technology sales but she was not cocky or conceited. She would gladly extend a hand to help you if you needed it. When she described herself to me in a meeting, she mentioned her occupation last because she said her job did not define her. How she conducts herself at her job, defines her. She said she relied on a few simple principals that have served her well for several years. She called these her guiding lights. One, be honest in all of your affairs. Two, operate with integrity in all that you do. And three, treat people the way you would like to be treated. She was highly successful for many years because she held steady to these ideals. Her clients trusted her and they instantly become her friends. As a rule she always kept her friends for life. Once inducted in to her friend hall of fame, you were there forever. She was savvy and intuitive. She was blessed with scads of women’s intuition and used these gifts wisely to navigate through daily adventures. She loved animals and was a sucker for all God’s creatures. She was witty and loved to laugh. She believed we all need to take ourselves a little less seriously. “Lighten up” were her words to live by. She would worry, as much as the next gal, about business, clients’ needs and financial security. However she knew if she stayed the course and kept a positive outlook, she’d thrive. If you were her customer, you were lucky because she’d do whatever necessary to help you reach your goals. If you were her friend, you were lucky because she’d take care of you and the friendship like a gardener tends her garden. She was beautiful inside and out. Her passions were people, love and laughter. The room lit up when she walked in because a genuine human connection, built on love and compassion, was about to be made.