Sir Edmund Hillary

I could never imagine climbing a mountain. As a Girl Scout, I wasn't much into hiking.

However, as someone with disabilities, who thrives on sharing life stories through my poetry, I know how it feels to know when you have truly inspired someone. Most of these people, you never meet in person. Yet the few that you do, will be remembered for a lifetime.

From my poem "Anything Is Possible" come these words, "...Be the first in your family to travel the world! Go anywhere and be anything you've ever believed in your heart! For in our dreams, anything is possible!" I wrote this poem in May of 2007.

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I would wish to share a very personal remembrance with all of 'Sir Ed's' family and many, many friends around this world!

You see, I was born into a world where the conquering of Mt. Everest was still fresh and as incomprehensible to a wondering humanity as was the lunar landing of sixteen years hence.

'Sir Ed' and Tenzing Norgay were it's greatest and most renowned heroes.

Fast-forward twenty plus years...I met 'Sir Ed' in November of 1973 at his appearance in a lecture given in 'Cutting Hall'...located in Palatine, Illinois.

His gracious autograph is among the very most cherished 'keepsakes' of my own life...but even more so...I remember him for his unbeleivably inspiring words, his contagiously 'folksy' demeanor and wonderfully genuine...yet warm, gentle and humourously self-deprecating wit and humor...for his kindly attention and the generous amount of time he extended to greet...to shake hands and to talk on an individual basis while sharing some refreshments...with those who wished to meet him...just following the conclusion of his presentation.

The MAIN focal point of 'Sir Ed's' presentation could not have made a greater impression upon his audience...for it was NOT at all about 'himself'...it was about his WORK...his efforts to help others whom in the course of his travels and exploits...he had discovered had some very great needs!!!

...What a vigorous, vital and LASTING impression this GREAT MAN had made! To me personally...(and I know that I join with many, MANY others spanning the entire breadth of this world who must share this identical sentiment)...he will ALWAYS remain..on a deeply personal basis...the greatest explorer who has ever lived!

But it is NOT for his accomplishments that he will be held forever to be a man of such stature (fully and truly deserved as they are)...but rather for his supreme, unspoiled HUMANITY...his astonishing and natural humility...even more astonishingly that he NEVER allowed his accomplishments to alter his personality or to in any way adversely-affect his ego!

Here, truly...if it can EVER be claimed..was the GENUINE...the truly worthy hero of his times...and perhaps of any time!

May God's grace rest you from a long and active life in humanity's service, Sir Ed and may he shower you with his blessings...the greatest of all, perhaps...being a re-unification wih your dear Wife and Daughter!

May you and Tenzing be loved, revered and remembered for your gift and legacy of great inspiraton and hope to this world's people...many long ages after the great mountain you both so bravely conquered has been worn to (its) inevitable stature of becoming a mere foothill!

Sir Edmund Has now reached the summit of Eternity, and now beholds
a sight more beautiful than that day
in 1953.
A remarkable life, "Well Done Good and Faithful Servant!"
Our Loving Sympathy is extended to His widow and children.

Sir, you will be at your highest now, you will be with the creator. I have always admired you and your feats.

i can't even think how it would be at standing on the tallest mountian in the world, the fresh feeling of the coolness of the fresh air, to think of being the one who made it all the way up, how long it took to climb,i know how it is to climb summits, i've climbed the white mts, it is just beautiful, i had a hawk fly around a friend & i as we sat on the mt near unity, VT, then years later i climbed clark summit, in N.H. i climbed clark summit 3 times, it isn't as tall as MT everest the one ed climbed, still you felt you were on the top of the world & all the trees were those little green specks down there. i had got to the top of clark summit and i had been standing there looking at the veiw, this was in febuary, and i lost my footing and fell off the side of the MT, i went off of the side of clark summit on my tummy, under branches and ect, it was so fast, i came out of it with just a couple of brusies & an experience to talk about it, besides that, i was away from the people i climbed with & lost in N.H. and it was getting night fall, i followed the power lines out,they were aways from me. i got out safey. one climber to another, breath taking. Ed will be missed. God Blessed. Kath Dunn.

Our Deepest Sympathies To Sir Edmund Hillary's Family For The Loss Of A Great Man.

Rest in peace on this highest of peaks'and this time you shan't have to return to the base camp.