What would you do if your best friend called to tell you that he had six months to live?

Dan Goldie had to answer that question last June when his friend, Gordon Murray called to say that his brain cancer was growing again. Dan says he didn’t even hesitate, the first words out of his mouth were, “We have to write the book.”

The book Dan was talking about was a guide for individual investors, the kind of people Dan’s been helping for over twenty years as a financial advisor. Gordon started out as one of Dan’s clients but a friendship blossomed between these two likeminded men. Gordon had great financial acumen of his own and as he learned new strategies and approaches from Dan, his expertise grew. They’d talked for years about writing a book together but the busyness of life had gotten in the way. Soon, however, there would be no more life or busyness–not for Gordon–time was running out.

At first, Gordon said no. His illness was draining his energy. The task seemed too daunting. But Dan was undeterred. He had notes from a previous attempt at writing a manuscript and began working from them. He sent a draft to Gordon and Gordon called him. “Ok, you got me,” he said. “I’m hooked.”

The two men worked feverishly. Dan put in long hours and all-nighters to bring the work to completion. The men decided to self-publish their book, The Investment Answer; there just wasn’t time to go the traditional route.

And then somehow, a miracle occurred. Buzz. A dying man. Wrote a book. A good book.

Dan says that Gordon wasn’t bothered by the fact that his terminal illness was the book’s platform. Gordon was all about helping people. If his situation was helped him to help people, then so be it.

In the last weeks of Gordon’s life, The Investment Answer was bought by a publisher. Interviews by the dozens were done. The Investment Answer hit the best sellers lists. Then topped them.

Gordon Murray passed from this life on January 15, 2011.

Now Gordon’s friend and co-author, Dan Goldie, carries on alone. His life purpose, he says, is to keep Gordon’s legacy alive. To help people, to help them make their lives better.

One friend. One phone call. One decision. Tiny moments. Tiny precious moments.

What would you do if your best friend called to tell you that he had six months to live?

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This post was drawn from a podcast interview I did with Dan Goldie for the GTD Virtual Study Group. You can listen to our conversation here.