Alf – The Heart Man

As Christmas is right on top of us, we wanted to post a heartwarming story of one of our own insured. Lori reminds me this is why she is in insurance, to hear the stories of the people in our community and to help them.

We always find the stories of strength, courage, and resilience compelling. Why do we love the movie Rocky so much?

Alf is one of our insured who owns his own core drilling company, which is a very physical profession, and has lived an active lifestyle for years and years. He rides motorcycles, mountain bikes, and runs. Out of anyone who would have a major heart condition, Alf wasn’t supposed to be a contender. 

But tragedy always strikes when you least expect it.

Back in March, Alf suffered from Aortic Stenosis and subsequently had open-heart surgery to receive a heart valve replacement.

He was out of work for four months. For someone who owns a business, this is especially frightening. 

But Alf came back….

“A Journey of a Thousand Miles Begins with One Step.” -Lao Tzu

He remembered the old Chinese proverb, “The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step.”

He remembers the day he was able to do his first push-up again. That was his first step.

Just two months after his open-heart surgery, he ran the Bolder Boulder, a 10 kilometer or 6.2 mile race, with his cardiologist. He walked most of it but it was another step for him.

This Thanksgiving, eight months later, he participated in the 5K Turkey Trot hosted by the Northern Colorado Medical Center in Greeley, CO. He was able to run the race under 30 minutes.

So he wore his own costume for the Turkey Trot. His daughter fashioned him a heart to wear during a race to tell his story of strength. The costume resembles the cough pillows the cardiovascular unit gives their patients.

And he won 2nd place in the costume contest for the Turkey Trot! We think it should have been first!

For each of us, we all have a journey we are on. Whether it is running a small business, farming, running a non-profit, raising kids, or whatever you do, remember we all have to start with one step. Sometimes, the greatest success is in taking one step.