Two Guys I Don't Know

I didn't know Border Patrol agent Nick Ivie (although I know his mother quite well).

I don't know famous mountain climber, outdoorsman, and inspiration for the movie "127 hours", Aron Ralston (although I like to think that after working closely with him while he was the keynote speaker for our Nu Skin convention last week, I can say I know him...right???).

I don't think Nick Ivie knew Aron Ralston at all either--but both men had a big impact on me in very different ways last week...and in very real ways.

Basically, the chain of events began on Tuesday, October 9 when I received a phone call from the UCCU Center at Utah Valley University--the venue that we were using for our 2012 Nu Skin Convention.

My contact at UVU was calling to ask me if Nu Skin would be able to change our schedules around a little bit to accommodate the memorial and funeral service for Agent Nick Ivie--who was killed in action down on the Arizona/Mexico border.

There were several other phone calls made, I'm sure, and I'm happy to know that both Nu Skin and our vendor, Webb AV were willing to put things off for a short time to accommodate the memorial on Thursday, October 11.

Webb AV had set our stage up on Tuesday and Wednesday and when I showed up for a technical rehearsal on Wednesday afternoon, I was surprised to see a funeral rehearsal taking place instead.

I parked in the back lot of the venue and when I got out of the car I heard bagpipes playing from inside the arena. I walked in and found more than a dozen Border Patrol agents rehearsing the proceedings for the next day's funeral.

The bagpipes were leading a band in the arena before practicing their exit. The pallbearers were rehearsing their walk and how they would carry Agent Ivie's casket into the arena and how they were going to exit the arena.

I took a seat several rows up in the bleachers and took my notebook out to start working on some stuff during their rehearsal. I was immediately drawn to the rehearsal. I was quickly touched by what I saw. I put my notebook away and sat there quietly. Alone in the arena while these agents rehearsed the funeral of one of their own. I sat there watching them fight their emotions. I sat there with my own emotions.

On the screens on the stage was a slideshow of photos of Agent Ivie--ranging from when he was young to his days in training with the Border Patrol to his days as an agent to his time spent with his beautiful family.

Pictures of him and his daughter flashed across the screen and I could tell through just those photos the type of love he had for his daughter. I sat alone in the arena bleachers, with tears filling my eyes. I had to take deep breaths to keep from losing it. I had to wipe the tears away.

I didn't even know Nick. I never met him. But I know exactly how he felt about his daughter--because I feel that about my daughter. I resolved right there to always love my little Etta as much as I can each day. I resolved right there that I never want her to wonder if her dad loved her. I want her to always know how much I love her. I want her to never have to think about it--just like I could tell Nick's daughter felt.

If something should happen to me, I want E to have no doubt that she was loved by her daddy.

The funeral rehearsal ended and our convention moved on. Moved on to Friday night--where Aron Ralston came to speak.

Aron was great to work with through his rehearsal (led by the great Shelley Gardner) and through his time at the venue where I got to work closely with him by helping the great Jill McMullin (both ladies are legends in the events world!).

I stood with Aron right before he went on stage and I had the chance to talk to him one-on-one. He was very kind and he spoke with such resolve. In the middle of a story, his intro finished and he headed out to stage.

I had the chance to sit in front of the house for a change during his speech and he continued to speak with great resolve. Resolve for each of us to remove our own boulders in our lives. Resolve for us to find what really matters in our lives. Resolve for each of us to make the best of each day.

I sat there, in the same arena where I sat for Nick's funeral rehearsal, this time with thousands of people, and my emotions were the same. I wanted to do what's best for E. I want to help her remove any boulders she'll face in her life. I gained a perspective that I hope I can remember forever.

It's rare when a convention or event ends and I feel motivated, but after the week's events I did. I was motivated to be the best dad I can be for E. I was motivated to love her unconditionally.

While I'll probably never hang out with Aron Ralston again and while Nick Ivie never knew who I was, I'm grateful for both men. I'm grateful for the opportunity both men's lives afforded me to reflect on my own life.


Maybe someday I'll be able to thank them both. In person.