What Steve did for Me

My Father passed away at the age of 56 years old in 2005. He died of Pancreatic Cancer. From diagnosis to death, the entire event took 2 weeks.

When I was in mourning, I really found Apple. While I was hurting, I searched for something to focus my attention. I found 2 joys. I started really enjoying the music of U2. Bono, had recently lost his Father. He wrote songs that reflected that pain I felt. I found a love in U2 and in Music as a whole. I started to listen to all types of music. The last thing my Father had bought me was a guitar. I was starting to learn how to play it when he died. My love for music when enabled so much more thanks to my 2nd love…
Apple became my other joy and nearly an obsession. I discovered my love for iTunes, and the iPod. I began to watch the keynotes. Steve Jobs became someone I would look forward to seeing present my newest lovable devices and technology. I then learned of the U2 special Edition iPod. OH MAN! MY TWO JOYS HAVE CONVERGED!!!! I must have listed to my iPod for 6 hours a day while I drained the sorrows from my broken heart at losing my Dad. Music, the iPod and GOD got me through that horrible time in my life.

A year ago I began working for Apple. The company that had given me so much as a consumer, has given me immense joy at being apart of something bigger than myself. I owe a lot to Apple, however, it is Apple that continues to enrich my life in every direction. It has been one of the most rewarding things I’ve ever been apart of.

I just learned moments ago, that our Leader Steve has passed away. He was 56 years old. Same age as my Father. He died from the same thing as my Father. I can count TWO wonderful men that have been robbed from this planet by Pancreatic Cancer.

Now, I look to the future as I too am about to be a Father. I still really love U2, but I am Apple. I’m truly cherish that I got to be apart of Steve’s overall vision of a way our lives can all be richer. I will teach my children about what a man named Steve did for me when I needed a helping hand to get me through my day to day struggles in a time when there was no light at the end of the tunnel.

Thanks so much for every part of the ride Steve! You will be missed and remembered.

Derek Helmer