John Winter, a popular Tampa, Florida area weather forecaster shocked his friends and family by committing suicide.  He left a grieving wife, Karen Winter and a stunned community that searched for ways to grieve his death and discuss the terrible circumstances of life that would lead him to take his own. 

As John worked for a media company, tributes were widespread in the local newspapers, their online counterparts and on television.  My mother, Robin Richter, chose to log onto the Tampa Tribune’s website (TBO.com) to read about his passing.

There, she found a link for a guestbook, hosted by Legacy.com, where thousands of other readers has expressed their sympathy and discussed their grief.

While signing the book, she was asked to disclose her email address and given the option to allow others who viewed the guestbook to email her.  Acquainted with grief as she is (her son, me, is involved in the funeral industry and she has been responsible for arrangements for many of her own familymembers) she chose to allow others to contact her.

This is the only email she has received in response to her signature in the online guestbook.  As you read, imagine for a moment that you had signed a guestbook for a friend and were receiving this email in response to your grief.

Date: April 15, 2007

Dear friend:

Recently, our hearts were touched by the sudden, unexpected and tragic death of John Winter. The Greater Tampa Bay television audience has felt the loss of not only one of our finest weather forecasters… but also someone we considered to be our friend for the past 13 years.

As I write this letter to you, I ponder the reasons why John – someone so full of life… so friendly… so seemingly happy… would choose to end his life. Unfortunately, we may never know the whole story behind John’s decision. What we do know, however, is the life of a man who we welcomed into our homes daily, is now gone… forever.

For some of you, John’s sudden death is still fresh on your mind and the pain in your heart, unimaginable. You wonder if you’ll ever get over this tragedy and feeling of loss. For others, you have moved on with your life – accepting the fact that death is simply a part of living. No matter what you’re feeling… I would encourage you to look deep into your own hearts and ask yourself one simple question:

If something unexpectedly were to happen to me today, would my family and loved ones find comfort in knowing that I had already taken care of pre-planning that one ‘final’ event in my life?

The decisions you make today will have a profound effect on your loved ones tomorrow.  If you’re having a difficult time believing this statement… just think about John’s wife, his parents, his friends, his extended family at WFLA News Channel 8 and the impact on those of us who looked forward to seeing his smiling face come across our television screen each and every morning.

I was one of the fortunate people in the Greater Tampa Bay listening area. While employed at Media General I had the pleasure of knowing John – albeit briefly. The split second it took for John to make the decision to end his life has certainly had a profound effect on me and each of you who loved John.

As a Family Service Counselor for Garden of Memories and Myrtle Hill Memorial Park, I counsel families struggling with tough decisions in the aftermath of losing a loved one. For this reason… and most especially as a tribute to John Winter, I have a gift I would like to deliver to you – free of charge. The Simplicity Planner.

The Simplicity Planner is a booklet filled with information on subjects such as Wills, Living Wills, Veteran Benefits and Social Security benefits. Additionally, it has page after page for you to record your vital statistics, pertinent medical, insurance and financial information.  There are numerous pages for you to record your earliest memories, favorite song, favorite color, fondest memories of your childhood, etc., etc. Most important of all (at least to me) are the pages specifically set aside for you to write notes or letters to your loved ones.

All of this information is compiled in one booklet and will prove to be invaluable to your family and friends when you are no longer here to guide them through – what will certainly be – the stormiest days of their lives.

I believe John would have wanted you to have this Simplicity Planner. If for no other reason, to help answer some of the questions and ease the burden that Karen Winter has undoubtedly had to deal with since April 5, 2007.

Making the commitment to receive this Planner – today – will prove to be an everlasting gift given to those who love you and you love most.

Please call me at 813-626-3161 (extension 226) to arrange a convenient time to meet with you. I promise I’ll visit with you only as long as it takes to answer any questions you may have.

Sincerely,

Sharon Blackburn
Family Service Counselor
Garden of Memories and Myrtle Hill Memorial Park
4207 East Lake Avenue
Tampa, FL 33610

Ms. Blackburn works for Stewart Enterprises, the company behind the “Simplicity Planner.”  Devised as a sales tool, the planner allows the company to give away a “premium” gift to prospective clients.

I’ve got some pretty strong ideas about this type of sales technique.  Of course, before I share them, I’d like to share both Robin’s (the consumer’s) side of the story and Sharon’s (the sales counselor’s) side of the story.  I’ve interviewed each and will be bringing them to you next week.

One thought for the weekend:  Sharon claims that her boss knows of the email she sent out and gave it the “thumbs-up.”