The Flying W Ranch

The following was taken from my eulogy for Amy. I added some details to round the story out and make it more complete. Seems fitting to include it in My Joy Journey with Amy.

I met Amy at a work training for Junior Achievement in Colorado Springs. The training class was housed at the Cheyenne Mountain Inn at the base of Cheyenne Mountain overlooking the Country Club of Colorado. It was a magnificent setting. We only had to walk across the parking lot to get to the national headquarters for Junior Achievement and their multifaceted training facility.

On the first day, we gathered in the training room full of 50 people arrayed in several long rows. There was one space where they squeezed in an extra table for two people. Fate brought our name plates to those two seats. We began to learn about each other. In our first get to know your colleague exercise, I learned that Amy had the most interesting job of anyone in the class. She had worked as BillyBob from ShowBiz Pizza Place. She had donned the costume for multiple birthday parties and even walked in a parade as the beloved character.

I had met her colleague from Milwaukee, Steve, the day before the training started and we began to eat our meals together along with another colleague, Mark, from Toledo, Ohio. I had met Mark years earlier when I had attended the National Junior Achievement Conference (NAJAC) as a sophomore in high school. It was astounding to me that he could remember me from one week 10 to 12 years earlier.

We spent most of our free time outside of training with each other including a whitewater rafting trip to the Royal Gorge on an off day and nights by the hotel pool. One night, Junior Achievement arranged for an outing to the Flying W Ranch where we enjoyed a chuck wagon dinner and show. As we strolled around the property after dinner, I began to realize that I was attracted to Amy’s smile, positive attitude, and genuine interest in my life.

Before dinner the next night, I asked her to take a walk with me through the golf course. We wandered down the golf paths and she shared many of her family traditions with me.

On the night before our last day of training and our subsequent flights home, Junior Achievement sponsored an outing to a local restaurant and dance club. I was a bit shy wondering if I had been too inquisitive the day before. I decided to give her more space and hung out with one of our other colleagues enjoying a conversation while most of our fellow associates hit the dance floor. Dancing is not my forte but is one of Amy’s. She soon found me hiding in the corner and dragged me out to the dance floor. She was not put off when I confessed, I wasn’t a good dancer.

The next day we exchanged numbers and vowed to stay in touch. In St. Louis, I briefly connected with my regional manager, JT Williams. He was also my mentor in the organization and a good friend. I shared my experience at the training session and mentioned meeting Amy. I indicated I wanted to call her in a couple of weeks. He told me, “No. Don’t wait. Call her this week.”

It was the best advice anyone has ever given me.

Upon returning to Springfield, I called Amy a couple of days later and asked if I could visit her in Milwaukee. I was a little taken aback when she told me she would get back to me. Several days later I received a voice message from her saying she would like me to visit. She apologized for her response as she was still living at home and wanted to discuss any visit with her parents in advance.

Encouraged, I booked a flight for a weekend in September and gave her my flight information. I decided I best not show up empty handed, so I bought a stuffed white polar bear about the same size as Macc. He occupied the seat next to me on the plane and many strangers commented to me as they boarded.

After landing, I eagerly headed to the baggage claim area with my bear in hand where we had agreed to meet. Amy was not there.

I waited . . . and waited . . . and waited.

As I began to formulate a plan to make the most of my visit to Milwaukee, Amy finally arrived (her volunteer training had run long). She walked right up to me and without saying a single word, she gave me a kiss.

Only three months later we were engaged and embarked on our 32-year joy journey together. I lost touch with JT over the years, but I will be eternally grateful for his firm encouragement to call Amy.

Fast forward 32 years. Complications from Amy’s cancer had progressed and our entire family knew the moment we were dreading was coming. As she took her last breath, I witnessed a moment of bittersweet joy as Carson, Morgan, and Claire demonstrated their pure love for Amy in that moment. It is a moment I will both hate and cherish the rest of my life. I know with absolute certainty that Amy and I have brought three wonderful, beautiful individuals into this world. The world will most definitely be a better place as a result of her unconditional love and support for them.

My healing journey will be long and difficult, but how can I not elect to live up to Amy’s example to Choose Joy each and every day. Amy would want all of those she loves and cares for to do the same.