Vale Brian

In the 1950s many small boys in New Zealand were obsessed with Everest and the heroic Sir Edmund Hillary.  Kiwi boys growing up in small towns like Invercargill had their imaginations fired up by the conquering of Everest as they rode round the neighbourhood on their bikes and played war games with sticks.

“We knocked the bastard off” became part of the kiwi vernacular, as familiar as the national anthem back in the day.

And Brian was no different - he was always fascinated with Everest and the epic climbs. He and his brothers lay in their bunks reading action magazines late in the night, dreaming of big adventures.

For those of you who actually know me, you will know that my husband Brian died nine years ago - far too early - and I have struggled with my deep deep sorrow ever since.

He was a larger than life figure who should have had, if not a larger life, at least a longer life. Many people loved him and we still mourn for him.

Brian was cremated and over the last nine years, I have taken him with me on many adventures to many places and left a little of him there. Invercargill, Cromwell,  Lianes in Spain, Hyde Park, Lisbon and London plus many NZ road trips. Most of these places had significance for him but also for me.  I have been glad to be able to bring him with me to places I love.  I have written about it before, every time a hugely emotional experience for me and for our family.

But bringing him to the Everest region is purely for him and it gives me great peace to know I have done this for him.  Plus the village, Khumjung, is a place where Sir Ed is revered. He would have liked that. In fact, Brian collected newspaper clippings about Sir Ed all his life and knew well about his presence here.

We had a small ceremony as I left him up here in the hills above the village. So high - so beautiful and so peaceful.

Made even more beautiful by the gentle presence of my Sherpa friend with quiet prayer intonations in the shadow of those awe inspiring mountains.

There is a Bhuddist saying : “Nothing is forever except change."

Vale.