Nancy Bogle Westfeldt

I come before you as a mother whose world has been torn apart and whose life will never be the same. And moving forward will be my greatest challenge.

My three sons are the greatest and most powerful gift I have ever received and I can’t tell you how my whole being fills up with this light when I look at them or even think about them. There are no words to adequately describe how much I love them. One of them has been physically torn from us and again, there are no words to really describe the depth of the searing, heart-wrenching pain that blinds sides me. But, in no way will this diminish the love that will continue to grow for Wallace as it will grow for Ben and Packy as they face each new day.

I do not understand what it feels like to be a triplet, but I do know from observation that there is an incredible bond, a life among them that is an entity all unto itself. While they are three totally different people, so much of who they are is also because of each other. And, as Ben and Packy continue on with their lives, Wallace will be there with them because part of them is Wallace. What a gift for us, for me.

I think that, as a parent, one of the first things you try to learn is to let go. First, it is the easy stuff like allowing them to run down the beach, jump off a pile of snow, or stand on a skate board. It becomes a cooperative, learning process. You cannot hover and protect them from getting a scraped knee or a bruised head. You want them to learn and move with confidence.

You have to learn to let go when they first go off to school and thank God I was leaving them, at first, to Tana Rinaldi, Betsy Schroeder, Joyce Stonehocker and especially Val Braun, who had Wallace in class for three years. Then it was Peter Westcott, Helene Ferguson, and Judy Detweiler for 5th and 6th grade. And it goes on, and oh, Ms McKinney, wherever you are, please know that, after all those years of teaching math to Wallace, he declared math and computer science as his major. He was very proud.

Weems and I tried to expose Wallace to as many activities as possible in the hopes he would discover a passion. Playing a musical instrument did not work for him. In fact, one of the few times he was sent to the principal’s office was when he got caught sending spit balls across the room through his trombone mouthpiece. He played soccer, basketball, hockey, and football. However, it turned out that nothing could compare to his developing love for snowboarding and this he did all on his own because the rest of us were all skiers. This was his decision as a 6-year-old to grab an adult snowboard and ride it with his ski boots on. There were no kids’ boards or boots back in those days.

Eventually he would meet up with a young snowboard instructor at Snowmass named Miah Wheeler, who helped him develop his love of snowboarding into a real passion. Miah has continued to coach him, be his friend, mentor, and supporter for at least 12 years. And, meanwhile, Travis MacLain entered the picture. He really exemplified a love of life and for snowboarding for Wallace. And AVSC became another home for Wallace—filled with wonderful friends and opportunities.

Snowboarding became Wallace’s life in the mountains. He competed in numerous events, always trying to reach the next level and was only hampered by injuries. But he kept coming back. He had unfinished business. He eventually decided to focus on slopestyle because he loved to soar. He evolved to free riding as well, competing on terrain that he and his brothers were always examining, where they searched for different lines most of us would never consider or imagine. The ultimate compliment for him was riding for this film the Aspen Skiing Company was sponsoring. To be able to ride in the back country where the lighting, snow, and views were exquisite was the best. The day of the accident was one of the most spectacular days of the season, and Packy said that Wallace was making the best turns of his life, and then he soared through the air. That is what we will remember.

I was so lucky to have the opportunity to be with Wallace in school as a volunteer, to participate in “ex-education”, to watch him learn, grow, and interact with his friends. I got to know his friends who I also learned to love. I was lucky to get to watch Wallace compete in numerous events, watching his skill level and confidence expand. I never wanted to pass up an opportunity to watch any of my sons participate in what they loved, and I never wanted them to ever leave the house without a hug and a kiss and best wishes for a wonderful day!

Wallace did have another life away from the mountains, and it was in another place where he could again interact with the environment. Let me read you a poem he wrote in Val Braun’s 4th grade class:

ALL SEASONS BE SWEET

All seasons should be sweet, I think.

They are, but you don’t have to agree.

But if you don’t, here’s something you should know.

January through May is all great for skiing and snowboarding.

May through September is all great for vacation at the beach.

What a view of life, right?! Every summer the five of us would pack up and head east to work in the family business: Briggs Beach (hence, Wallace’s middle name) in Little Compton, RI where again, Wallace lived life to the fullest—where he snorkeled, scuba dived, went spear fishing, rode boogie boards, went surfing, and finally, developed a second passion: Golf (where the competition began again among the brothers!) There in Rhode Island, he was able to spend time with my side of the family: his grandparents, aunts and uncles, and cousins. I will be forever grateful to them for all their love, support, and influence in his life. Wallace really did have an extended family because there are also all the Colorado Westfeldts who have added tremendously to his life.

You do not raise children alone. You have family, teachers, coaches, friends, parents, the ski school family, and your children’s friends. These young friends have been truly magnificent. I absolutely cherish having you all congregate at the house.

And you always hope that your children meet their loves. Thank you, Amelia, for allowing Wallace to experience love and for loving him back.

This is an overwhelming gathering today, and as I look out toward you all I thank you from the bottom of my heart for all the love, support, and understanding that you gave Wallace and are passing on to his family.

And thank you most of all, Wallace, for all your spirit, love, patience, and everything that you taught me. And where I cannot touch you physically, I will never let go of your spirit. I love you.