Leaving Tracks
A beautiful calm winter has set in and the land is a fresh canvas. The only thing more abundant than the wildlife is the tracks they leave behind. Some are easy to identify, the herds of elk pave the way as the timid deer dance around their destination. The rabbits hop around like they’re completing an obstacle course. When on the trail of a coyote, you wonder, "What scent they were following or if they caught the vole they pounced on by the bunch grass?” The random barn cat's tracks disappeared near the fence where a pack of cow dogs decided to tree it. Then there are tracks that I cannot identify. Some are fairly large, possibly an aforementioned cat dragging a rabbit away. Some are tiny, I didn't think animals that small could leave a trace. They make me wonder, “What cute little animal made them, and where were they going?”
While practicing my tracker skills, my mind starts to wander and I question, “What kind of tracks am I leaving? Am I the bored cow dog, up to no good, chasing cats? Am I the cute little unidentifiable set of tracks barely leaving a trace? Or am I the herd of elk paving a highway and taking out fences wherever I go?”
A couple months ago one of my brother’s passed away. He passed doing what set his soul on fire, in a tragic crop-dusting accident. He was so full of life, love, and humor. He was a master at telling people what they didn’t want to hear in the most inspiring way. Sage was an amazing pilot, flight instructor, father, husband, brother, son, and friend. There were easily over 700 people at his funeral, all people that Sage impacted. As we were making our way from the funeral services to the grave side all of Sage’s flight students lined the sidewalk as his casket went by. All men and women that he shared his love of flight with and left his mark on. Sage made everyone feel like a someone, because we all are. He was the most genuine person I’ve ever known. It’s incredible to think that someone who spent most of his time in the air could leave so many tracks on the ground.
Years ago a very wise older gentleman told me what he thought was the secret to life. He said, “You need to contribute. It doesn’t matter what you choose to do or how you want to make that contribution but leave the world better than you found it.” Sage did that. He taught everyone he met the value of hard work, and what it looked like to follow your dreams. He beat to his own drum and left a set of tracks that will never be mistaken for anyone else’s. A man on a mission, with an absolute heart of gold.
One of Sage’s flight students shared a story where Sage asked him, “Do you want to be the passenger or the pilot?” I’ve pondered that a lot since. Life gets hard, there are so many days I want to get in the back seat, eat a snack, and let life take me where it may. But that’s not living. That’s not making tracks. Go the places others haven’t. Don’t be afraid to leave a new set of tracks on that blanket of snow. You don’t have to follow the elk’s highway. It may be easier but no one will ever know you were there. Take the path others haven’t, you’ll encounter the people you need in life. Be the pilot not the passenger. Contribute to society and leave tracks wherever you go. Make an impact. Be like Sage.
