Another year has gone by and it seems the time has arrived for my yearly post on Joel Kallman Day 🙄.
Yes, I've still been working hard with Oracle technology, and I've been part of an interesting and rewarding exercise in transitioning vendors at one of my favourite clients - though I haven't had the chance to work as frequently as I'd like using the wonderful world of Oracle APEX, nor have I had much time to come here and share thoughts and experience like I have in the past.
So today I'd like to ponder one of the reasons we have this particular event - to remember one of the great contributors to this technology that sadly left well before his time. Connor mentioned this just last week on the socials, literally pointing out a frequent reminder he experiences regarding the contribution Joel made.
I think we all consider some positive experiences we've had with both Joel and the Oracle APEX product during this community event, and I thank Tim Hall for helping keep the motor running on this worthy cause.
I'm struggling to find the right words as I attempt to draw a parallel to my own mental health journey I'm having with someone I hold so close to my heart I consider him the brother I never had.
While we lost Joel to illness, my friend is struggling with the Black Dog. I haven't been able to converse with him for some time, but every day I think about one of many positive experiences I've had in our journey through life.
So on a day we choose to reach out through our memories and experiences to consider and share these rich outcomes - I'm finding strength in the ability to do the same as I reach back through time and recall the wonderful experiences I've shared with my buddy, and hope he'll dig out of this deep dark well and we'll have the opportunity to build upon this journey for decades to come - just as we've always talked about.
I hope everyone takes time to remember things they love, finds ways to continue doing the things they love - and when the hurdles come by, which they always do, they have the support to keep on truck'n.
