The incredible circumstances that resulted in my meeting Sheila could never be reproduced. While I've not been one to believe in fate, it was amazing how our lives began to entwine on this day three years ago on a sunny afternoon in the Denver Airport. I would have never imagined such a beautiful, intelligent, strong, compassionate, witty, and thoughtful woman would have tolerated my company, let alone shared her life with me for a short time. I feel very fortunate to have met this wonderful soul, whose kind spirit and bold heart have made my life infinitely more meaningful. I wish more of you could have met her and seen in person all the wonderful things she has brought to my life.
Time has its way with all of us; I may not be seeing much of Sheila this summer. Despite all the craziness that Colorado has manifested, my days with her are filled with deep recollections, memories of the echo of crow wings in silent canyons, of standing on unreachable summits, of the overwhelming beauty of a winter climb, nights of laughter and love, days of thoughtful discourse, of cold lakes, warm hearts, and twilight walks.
I remember long ago, a conversation under the stars as day turned to night at Mystic Lake. How rich life seemed! How easily the words came as constellations drifted across the sky. Profound were those radiant eyes and with the morning, a whole new essence to life. Again, days were flush with meaning and anticipation. These rare things found; for a time, all the stars in the warm mysterious night were ours. I was not present enough nor aware of the way it all faded, but I would not trade those days for anything. Three years ago was a very, very lucky day for me. While the road ahead is most uncertain, the enchanting spirit Sheila has shown will always give me a place to anchor in sad times and a memory that alters the landscape of these strange mountains so far from home.
