Fierce Beauty (26 page)

Recently I saw a heartwarming movie based on a true story. During the credits at the end, photographs of the actual people were streamed across the screen. After falling in love with the characters, I was deeply moved to see their real faces and read a small update about where they are now.

I thought you might appreciate the same.

“Dedication to Jenni Reiling”—True to her indomitable joy, in the last moments of her life, Jenni still chose to encourage those around her. Gripped within the final throes of cancer, she hadn’t spoken, opened her eyes, or responded to anyone in days. When I walked into her room, she lay curled on her side with her right hand softly bent under her chin. I had the privilege of holding her left hand to my cheek one last time.

I leaned in close, only inches from her beautiful face, and whispered a private conversation I’d just had with her oldest son—a message of love and hope that Jenni had wished me to share with him in her stead. Through tears, I told my dying friend that her son had received her message well and would be blessed for a lifetime by this precious gift.

Her eyes remained shut as the fingers nestled below her chin began to move. The tip of her index finger gently touched the tip of her thumb. Her remaining three fingers slowly rose, and the corners of her mouth twitched upward.

The universal gesture that everything is all right
—even in death—
became her final gift to me. Jenni was correct; because of Jesus … everything
will
be all right.

“The Fracture”—Since my near-fatal day on Mount Shasta, I’ve chosen to allow the lessons I learned to take root in my life. Because of this desire, I’ve gone on to climb and summit Mount Rainier and returned to summit my beloved friend six more times … the
right
way.

“The Wound”—Dakota continues to live the life of a much-loved and very active dog. During the writing of this book, she was frightened by a stranger, ran in front of a car traveling at highway speed, and was hit. Again her life has become the means for a miracle. Although badly wounded, she is making a slow and steady recovery. In the midst of her healing process, she remains a sweet and bright spirit for those around her and all who visit the ranch.

Kelsie and Laurie still work with me at Crystal Peaks, and both now serve as directors at the ranch. Each is a beloved friend.

“The Attack”—Since our incredible, horrifying, and hilarious encounter with the charging mother grizzly bear, I’ve encountered several other grizzlies without incident. As much as their power and grace intrigue me, it
remains their terrifying ferocity that drives me to guard against sin in my life with the same tenacity.

By the way, the following day as we were headed home, we
did
see a moose.

“The Boulder”—Though the boulder that I regarded with such fondness is no longer on the summit of South Sister, I’m grateful to have discovered another place to sit. Not only is my new friend located in a perfect place to launch cherry pits, but it is also much farther from the edge.

“The Wilderness”—Hero lives at Crystal Peaks Youth Ranch to this day and continues to be an amazing ambassador of hope. By consistently putting one foot in front of the other, he encourages others to do the same. One twelve-year-old friend of Hero’s recently shared, “Hero will always be my favorite horse because he proves that what seems impossible isn’t. And he helps me when I miss my brother who’s in the National Guard. When I sit on Hero’s back and know that he made it through his wilderness, I feel close to my brother and know he’ll make it through his wilderness in Afghanistan too.” Meanwhile, a farrier recognized Hero from a media report and identified the owner. The man who shot Hero twice in the head was located, arrested, tried, and convicted.

“The Smile”—My friend Misheal continues to beam the light and hope of Jesus. Miraculously, now forty years later, the blond girl who saved her life with just one smile a day has been located. After the release of this
book, a copy will be anonymously sent to her with a card tucked into the chapter of “The Smile,” informing her that
she
is the blue-eyed girl. A surprise reunion is currently being planned. I hope this makes readers ponder if it might be them! If not, it’s never too late to begin smiling. Maybe someday someone will contact you to share the wonder of how your gift provided unexpected hope.

“The Fall”—By our God’s great mercy, Joan and I continue to be very dear friends. Although she has moved from Alaska to Vermont, and I live in Oregon, we spend as much time together as we can. We have many years of friendship and adventuring to make up for … and neither of us intends to miss a single one.

“The Scar”—Sweet little Angela came and visited the ranch one more time after our initial visit when she shared about her tremendous loss. She stayed long enough to let me know that I was right; she was making it through her grief, and she’d found a wonderful place to live. She also wanted to thank me for sharing with her the hope of Jesus. She now understands that because of Him, there will come a day when she too will see her scars as beauty marks.

“The Race”—After completing the U.S. Olympic Biathlon Team Trials, I never raced again. Although skating is still a big part of my life, and I ski every chance I get, this has now transformed into a time of exercise, reflection, and prayer. It seems that the voice I once heard echoing from an intrepid woman race official, I now hear ringing through the years as the voice of my beloved King:

Go, girl! Go! Don’t you ever quit!