Last weekend, I attended the Earn 1k a Day seminar. There, I met somebody I'd been friends with for a long, long time online.

I first "met" Alan Bechtold in 2011 on Facebook. I'm sure I reached out to him because we had mutual friends. He graciously accepted my friend request and then we began a great 4 years as online friends.

Last Saturday, I met Alan in person. We struck up a conversation as if we'd known one another for years (and I guess, looking back, we had). That conversation that began as a "Great to meet you finally in person" turned into a very long 5 hour conversation that covered everything from BBS marketing back in the '80s, to biz opp in the '90s, internet marketing in the 2000s, to his latest venture, publishing.

We tried to find a place to eat. We hit a couple holes in the wall off the strip. They were all too crowded. So we walked toward the Strip and found a food court with a Johnny Rockets and a Nathan's. I grabbed a hotdog and he got a chocolate malt.

We were there with a couple of friends. We all talked until we were tired.

We then walked back to the hotel where we met (after the E1kaday seminar) and parted, saying we'd definitely have to do this again.

Sadly, that time will never come.

Alan died this past Saturday. He was having lunch with friends, felt sick, went to the restroom, and then to the hospital. He died, after having come back to life twice.

The third time his heart stopped, it stopped for good. We lost a good one. 

Alan was a great human being. He gave of himself generously, and with grace.

I didn't grab a picture with him because I took for granted that we'd meet again. I regret that. A lot.

POINT: Don't take life for granted. It's fleeting and can be taken away from you at any moment. Nothing is guaranteed. Love the ones you're with and always treat your last encounter with them as truly your last.

Because it very well could be.

With love,

Bill