To Each His Own Summit

I had the opportunity to speak with Ed Webster, who had climbed Mount Everest, including an assault without oxygen or sherpas, in the 1980's. We talked for awhile about his climbs, the last of which resulted in the loss of several fingers and toes, due to a moment of taking off his outer mittens to take a photograph. It called to mind how often the punishment does not fit the crime in life.

Ed is now living in Maine, and we got to talking about Lyme disease. He was truly moved to hear about a family member of mine who has struggled, and mentioned that he had two friends who have also been afflicted. This man, who has had to completely work around his own physical loss, and I'm sure is reminded of it daily, had compassion for others who struggled daily with a disease. We shook hands, we hugged, and I am a little more thankful for the things that I have today.

Happy Independence Day.

Webster, Ed. Snow in the Kingdom: My Storm Years on Everest. 2000