Today was our last day of skiing in Snowmass. Eric (my brother) and I brought our families here for a few days of fellowship and we have been blessed with beautiful surroundings, perfect weather, excellent ski conditions, and the accumulation of many new fond memories.
I have been struck several times during this trip by memories of my first trip here in 1982. My first plane trip, learning to ski, seeing the Rocky Mountains for the first time, learning of Eric and Danna's pregnancy - many fond memories from the two weeks spent here with my family and Eric's inlaws, the McGlothlins and the Lincolns (Abe Lincoln, in fact - but that's another post).
But none of the memories I listed above are the most vivid.
When we experience the Eternal in our lives it changes us and it leaves an impression that is not easily forgotten. I experienced it on that trip in 1982, and it is still my most vivid memory.
One afternoon we took a break from skiing to walk around in Aspen. This was a time when Aspen was really coming into its own - trickle-down economics were fueling its transition from quaint skiing village to resort destination for the rich and famous. The manifestations of that change were evident as we strolled around the town, with swanky boutiques moving in next to mom and pop gift shops. One of these merchants that had recently moved into Aspen was Ralph Lauren, who had opened a Polo shop there.
That Polo shop represented so many things to a young Reagan-era Republican like myself - style, sophistication, wealth, legitimacy. Yet, I knew that anything inside was well beyond my reach. Don't get me wrong - we weren't indigent - I just knew we could never afford such an extravagance just for my pleasure. Still, we went inside to look around, if only to imagine and aspire.
Once inside, lots of brass and hunter green. Beautiful, immaculately dressed people asking if I needed help finding anything. The scent of Polo cologne. Stacks of beautiful shirts, sweaters, jackets - all beyond my reach.
It was then that Danna's father, Ray McGlothlin, pulled me aside and told me I could have anything in the shop that I wanted - his treat. I still get tears in my eyes thinking of that moment. What I picked out is inconsequential - what impacts me to this day is the power of the generosity that Ray showed me. Indeed, the generosity he has shown everyone around him for as long as I have had the privilege of knowing him.
Being here 25 years later has inspired me to try to be more generous to those in my life in this new year. I'm truly grateful for Ray and other people in my life that have shown me how to live the message of Christ.
By the way - I picked out a red, blue and yellow Polo rugby shirt. It was genius.
