Coming To Grips With A Fallen Brother

 

Some say in life you should never meet your heroes because they just might disappoint you. This case is not only the opposite but on a scale many couldn't possibly imagine. Not only did me and quite a number of people meet our hero, he never disappoint, he made life that much more gratifying and beautiful to live in. To say my heart and my soul is now torn is not only an understatement, it also can't be hidden. 

Bud Jeffries has left this earth and not only is it something I never thought I'd say or find out so soon in this lifetime, it just doesn't sound real or believable. This past Friday, I get a message on Instagram from Mike "The Machine" Bruce showing what Bud's Wife wrote to Dennis Rogers that Bud had died and like those times you hear in movies I just screamed "no, no, no" and just lost it. I literally felt my whole being come crashing and being in such shock that my emotions just poured out of me just like when I found out my stepfather died the same exact day 19 years apart. 

He was more than a man among men, the strongman's strongman and an athletic barbarian, he was a rare soul that deserved to be here longer than he should've. A man with such compassion, lust for life and a presence that would make anyone in a room or even a whole building take notice. There was something very few in this crazy world had and that was the will to showcase what it means to be a human being with such genuine love for others that can't be matched by any other means. He was that man and there won't be anyone like him again.

I had known about Bud since about 2005-2006 and maybe spoke to him once or twice for a few years after that but I officially met him at a seminar in San Jose, CA that he hosted with Logan Christopher in April of 2011. The first time I looked over and saw him, it was like seeing a master of different arts walk in and just flood the place with energy that just made you feel powerful inside. I had never known anything like that before or since. I got to know him a little while we took a lunch break one day and sat with him and Noah at a 5 Guys Burger Joint across the way. It was the casual asking of questions and what he's like and all that, wanted him to give me some pointers on some things and during the seminar, I couldn't help but wanting to learn from him and I felt at times I annoyed him but he never showed it and he was humble. 

Over a period of 2 and a half years since that time, I occasionally messaged him and seeing how he was doing and then I found out he was doing a show in Spokane, WA which is less than an hour from here in Idaho and I jumped at the chance to have dinner with him and hang out. He came by and we did some training together and went to a Texas Roadhouse. This is where the ball started rolling and spending real one on one time and learning from one another. This was just before Thanksgiving in 2013 and after he did his time, he came back again and spent two nights at my house. This was February of 2014 and we did three shows together in Coeur D' Alene, Athol & Sandpoint. He did his anti-bullying speeches, feats and other things, I got to perform some Phonebook Tearing and Bent a 60 penny nail in a nose to mat bridge at least once or twice. It was a bonding experience that will never leave me. He took me under his wing and became brothers by that point. 

I learned so much from him and he became more than just a role model, he became a part of my family. He put knowledge and wisdom on me that nobody can ever take away and when I wasn't being true to myself when I would talk to him, he didn't let up on me and told me how much value I had and that I'm an amazing person with such strength inside and out and never ever judged me. Very few in my life ever gave me that and showed such compassion and understanding. He was the hero I was looking for after my stepdad died, it took me 8 years to find him and not only did it happen, it made me feel I truly belonged to something and keep that fire inside me to do what I love and share it. 

Years later, I was engaged and Bud was the first man I wanted to call and ask to officiate my wedding. He not only agreed but also because the theme we were going for, he dressed up literally like Obi-Wan Kenobi. It turned more of a laugh into a thing where I couldn't believe he would do that for us. When he came up here to do the wedding, I was such a wreck and emotions were all over the place, he was calm and collected to keep me on track and helped me with training, giving me ideas to enhance what I wanted to do and kept me distracted in a way that regardless of what was going on with me during those 4 days, I was ready to be married and give everything I had. I couldn't have done it without him and I will be convinced of that for the rest of my life. 

He ended up leaving a day early because his wife Heather had some physical issues back home and Bud couldn't wait any longer to be there for her. That's a real man folks, that's love beyond reasoning. The last time I ever saw him was when I hugged him, thanked him for everything and he drove off. 

Little did I know that would be the very last time I got to spend time with him up close. It's just so damn eerie and unbelievable he's not here in this physical form anymore. I wish he was still here to know that after me and my wife adopt a son, Bud would be in his middle name. I want my son to know who he was and that not only was Bud Superman to me and others around the world, that I would pass on what I learned from him and do everything in my being to be as compassionate, understanding and love even remotely as much as he showed to me and the people in his life.  

The last conversation we ever had was on messenger and we had talked about how he was doing and what he wanted to change to be better not only for himself but for anything else. He would like and put a little note on my videos every now and then which I always appreciated and will miss. The last set of words he ever wrote to me was wishing me and my family Merry Xmas after I wished him the same. I love you my brother, I will miss you everyday and know that you were and still are my guardian angel, the man I needed in my life and that your legacy will live on forever in the hearts of everyone you touched. I'm grateful and honored for everything you taught me and that I have Heather's back always whenever. 

RIP Bud, say hi to Noah for us and we all will share your stories and antics for all.