wow...
For probably the first time in 10 years I havent been around NC4x4 for about a month. A death in the family triggered me to really evaluate how and where I spend my time and the internet has gotten less of it.
But I got a couple texts yesterday about Scott and I knew I had to stop by because so many here knew him so much better than I. In coping with our family recent loss one of the most heart lifting experience has been hearing all the warm memories other shared and re-enforcing what I knew about the woman who raised me. For that reason I want to share the following in hopes it one day brings a smile to some close to him.
I first met Scott back when Rob and I were in the thick of the ECORS days. We had been approached by a mutual friend who had asked if we would be willing to allow Scott to borrow a bunch of flagging and fencing material we used for race events. If so Scott would pick it up at the Flats after that next race and keep it until his event. He had this new venture and was having the first "expo" at the field across from the Outpost. Now many may not realize it, but hauling, unloading and storing a few thousand feet or flex barricade wasn't exactly fun. So for someone else to offer to do this for us, well we were more than happy to oblige and that it helped out a good cause was just icing on the cake. That Sunday Scott rolled up to the Flats and he and I met for the first time, I thought. Scott told me he had actually met me twice before, I sheepishly apologized and admitted I didnt remember. That Sunday me Rob (
@rockcity )and my son Lane (
@Skyhik5jr ) spent most of the day cleaning up and Scott was right there collecting the fencing material and loading it in his truck. I remember Rob and I laughing that we treated the stuff like it had stole from us and Scott seemed to treat it like it was a newborn baby as he folded it and loaded it in his white Nissan (which didnt yet have any decals on it). Scott replied that he was thankful for us allowing him to borrow it and he had to take care of other's property. Stewardship. That sparked a conversation about Tread Lightly! and land conservation that meandered into racing and the ecological impacts of it and our thoughts and concerns etc. Fast forward a month or so to the first URE Jamboree. I remember that Scott made it a point to introduce me to several other people and referenced us allowing him to borrow the fencing. I mean to hear him tell it, you would think we had donated a kidney and paid for the transplant. I mean he was beyond grateful. That afternoon I commented about how grateful he was to either JC or Dylan, (John, I sincerely apologize for lumping you together in my mind
, Dylan you are welcome for the compliment) I remember asking, why is he so appreciative, why does this seem like such a big deal to him? The answer was "That's just Scott. That's who he is."
Scott and I would talk several times after that. He was one of a small handful I sought counsel from as I was contemplating leaving ECORS. There were several factors at work beyond the obvious. His advice, while personal, was very sage. He asked if I knew Christ. Asked what he said on the matter. I
have a ton of respect for Mr. Fields.
RIP, my friend.