So I met Buffdad for the first time yesterday. We skied Keystone.

I did not know what to expect, anxious about meeting someone after years of reading his writings on this site.

As we visited, he was kind enough to share his story. Out of respect for his privacy and hoping to earn and keep his trust I will not share it here.

If I could share it, you would hear the story of a giant of a man, coming from the humblest and most impoverished of circumstances to have traveled the world and reach accomplishments in his career that few could ever attain. During the darkest of this nation's days, he was serving at the highest and most sensitive levels of our government - protecting us.

It is a Forest Gump tale - and like Forest Gump, Buffdad has seen people and places and participated and worked and risked his own life, and accomplished greatness without pride or arrogance.

Without telling his story I cannot give you the measure of this man. But I will tell one one small snippet - whether Buffdad - the proud father of two CU Buffs - likes it or not.

Buffdad shared with me the story of meeting his wife. He knew immediately this beautiful woman was the love of his life, and within a week had convinced her to marry him. She herself was so accomplished, and her own career is a great one, spanning the globe. Buffdad idolized her - and they had two wonderful kids together, that have given them these magical grandchildren. As I learned about Buffdad's life, and his accomplishments, he always shared where she was and what she was doing at the time.

As great as any man or woman's life is, the years can grab and torment us, stealing away even our selves. And for Buffdad's wife, years of illness has seized her, gradually taking her away from Buffdad and her family. He spends his days now caring for her-the girl in the downstairs apartment with the long blond hair who loved horseback riding and skiing the powder ridges in California and Colorado - the girl he grabbed and married as fast as he could - before she got some common sense and changed her mind - he dotes over her and perseveres.

We were having lunch, and when we we done, Buffad beat me to the ticket. He pulled out his wallet, and in the front I saw a long kept, a bit weathered, photo. I reached out and pulled the wallet.

Who is this?

That's my wife - about ten years ago.

She was beautiful.

She is beautiful.









[Post edited by cswilliam at 03/12/2016 10:50AM]