26 Comments
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Genevieve's avatar

Beautiful story brother! Such an important reminder: We never know which day will be the last. 💛

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Kyle Shepard's avatar

Thanks sis 👊🏻

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David Hawkes's avatar

Beautiful plece Kyle. Over the years as a competitor in various sports I have been guilty of carrying around that same unnecessary negative energy towards my opponents sometimes. Max's example you've shared here brings perspective and clarity to my days going forward. Thank you.

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Kyle Shepard's avatar

Appreciate it brother 👊🏻

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Dan Vallone's avatar

Incredible story Kyle, thank you. What a powerful way to honor Max and to challenge us all to consider where we might be holding on to resentment and envy.

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Kyle Shepard's avatar

Thanks Dan. That young man is absolutely worthy of all forms of honor.

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Marshall R Peterson's avatar

That’s very brave of you to tell that story Kyle. I’m quite sure Max would be proud of you. Hell, we all make mistakes; we all do stupid things, but the biggest mistake, the stupidest thing, is to not learn from them.

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Kyle Shepard's avatar

Thank you brother

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Lisa Barry's avatar

Facts🙏🏻

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Kyle Shepard's avatar

👊🏻

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Michael Woudenberg's avatar

It's amazing how much jealousy we can internalize. What even more amazing is how much of a weight that is lifted when you stop being jealous. That doesn't mean you can't be bummed. Far from it, but it's a lesson in learning to be bummed and then moving forward.

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Jeff Sullivan's avatar

Powerful piece, Kyle. Thank you for this perspective. RIP to this man and salute to his service.

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Kyle Shepard's avatar

Appreciate you brother 👊🏻

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Erin Miller's avatar

The honesty you brought to this—about ego, regret, humility, and what it means to really *earn* perspective—moved me more than I can express. Max’s story, and your reckoning with it, will stay with me. I’m so, so grateful you shared this.

Stunning piece, Kyle. In every way.

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Kyle Shepard's avatar

Thank you very much Erin. There are many amazing people no longer with us. I try to reflect on them regularly to make the life I’m still lucky enough to have better and hopefully to impact other lives in the similar ways as they did to me. Honored this influenced you as someone who is regularly better because of your work.

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Judith Frizlen's avatar

What a great shift in perspective - freeing yourself from the chains of resentment. Yes, remembering death is inevitable impacts my life today. I strive to take responsibility for whatever is happening and appreciate you as a model of living that way.

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Kyle Shepard's avatar

I appreciate you too my friend and the consistent reminder to add love anywhere and everywhere I can in my life.

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Barret Nobel's avatar

Memento Mori my friend 💀

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Kyle Shepard's avatar

❤️👊🏻

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Kevin Stark's avatar

What a great example of your own Hero’s Journey. Great lessons learned. Thank you for sharing.

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Kyle Shepard's avatar

Thank you brother 👊🏻

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Lou Tamposi's avatar

This was terrific, Kyle — a reminder and inspiring. Thanks for sharing. Will do “Maxton” soon in honor.

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Kyle Shepard's avatar

Thanks Lou 👊🏻

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Erik Hogan's avatar

Wow, this is a powerful story! Sharing it and your struggles to move past this event, and how you choose to recognize and grow from it are an incredible tribute to Maxton. Thank you, brother!

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Kyle Shepard's avatar

Thank you too 👊🏻

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David Gage's avatar

Brother. Good stuff. Ive been struggling with being passed over by some politics at work for a great position. Similar feelings and sentiments felt from your writing. As always grateful for your words. Found similar perspectives in my outcome as well. I too had been fighting battles my opponent didn't even know were happening. Great stuff.

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