My Son, My Business Partner, My Friend
Some parents know every detail of their children's lives while they are young. Then each person follows his own road. And that is how life should be. I too had always thought that Marco would one day choose his own path. Perhaps he would start his own company.
Perhaps he would take an entirely different direction. But life offered us something else. Little by little, we became colleagues. Then business partners. And almost without noticing it, we also became each other's confidants. Friends. It was an extraordinary gift. We saw each other almost every day. Not because we had to.
But because we both wanted to. When I entered the Pyramid in the morning, I often already heard the tapping of a keyboard. Marco had almost always arrived before me. A cup of coffee beside him. Completely absorbed in his work. Sometimes I stood behind him for a moment. He did not even notice my arrival. Only when I gently placed my hand on his shoulder did he turn around.
"Good morning, Dad."
No other words were necessary. We simply began another day. There were days when we worked side by side for hours without speaking much. And yet those silences sometimes said more than a thousand words.
Most of the time, we sensed what was happening within the other person. When one of us was struggling with something, the other noticed almost immediately. It is difficult to explain.
Perhaps only people who have worked so closely with someone for years can truly understand what I mean. Marco also possessed a special gift. He knew how to inspire people. When he truly believed in an idea, he could draw almost anyone into his vision. He spoke quickly. His hands moved constantly as he explained something. He sketched his ideas on a sheet of paper. Stood up. Sat down again.
And before you knew it, you too began to believe that his idea was possible. How many times did I watch him with a smile?
"Slow down, Marco," I would tell him.
"First give the others time to catch up with you."
He laughed. But five minutes later, he was speaking again with the same enthusiasm. That was who he was. And deep in my heart, I hoped he would never lose it. We also traveled to Italy together often. Those trips were far more than business journeys. We sat side by side in the car for hours. We spoke about the company. New ideas.
But just as often, we spoke about life. Our family. The future. And sometimes we said nothing at all. Not because we had nothing left to tell each other, but because silence between two people who truly understand one another is never uncomfortable. Today, I cherish those memories more than ever. I also remember my pride when I saw how attentively the Italian manufacturers listened to Marco. They no longer saw only my son.
They saw a young entrepreneur. A man with a vision. That made me happy. Not because he bore my name, but because he had earned their respect through his own strength. Through his talent. His commitment. His honesty. Those are values that never grow old. Of course, we did not always agree. It would have been strange if we had. Sometimes I thought he wanted to move too quickly.
At other times, he thought I was too cautious. Then we debated. Sometimes with great passion. But never to hurt one another. Always because we both wanted what was best. And almost every disagreement ended with a smile.
Or over a cup of coffee. No discussion was ever more important than the bond that united us.
When I look back today, I fully realize how exceptional those years were. How many fathers have the privilege not only of seeing their son become a grown man, but also of working beside him every day? How many fathers get to discover that their son is becoming not only a gifted entrepreneur, but above all a profoundly good human being? It was a privilege. A privilege for which I thank God every day.
Perhaps I did not tell Marco that often enough at the time. We were both so busy. We thought there would always be more time. And perhaps that is one of the greatest mistakes we make as human beings. We think tomorrow is guaranteed. Today, I know that every ordinary day may later become an irreplaceable memory.
That is why, when I look back, I do not think only about the great projects. Nor about our successes. My most beautiful memories are often the simplest. Drinking a cup of coffee together. A long drive to Italy. A late-night conversation in the silent Pyramid. A look that said everything without needing words. Those are the moments I will never forget. And if someone asked me today what Piramedia truly gave me...
my answer would not be about software. Nor entrepreneurship. Nor even innovation. I would simply say:
"Piramedia gave me the most beautiful years I was allowed to share with my son."
No company in the world is worth as much as memories like those. And that is precisely why, for as long as I live, Marco will never be only my son. He will also remain my business partner. My friend. And an irreplaceable part of the man I became.
Unfortunately, few photographs remain from the years when Marco and I worked together. He kept our pictures in digital form and, after his death, many were lost. But everything we imagined, built, and dreamed together continues to live in my memories and in all that Marco helped bring into being.