Ode To James Kim
During the past week, people were riveted to the news of the San Francisco family who had gone missing from a Thanksgiving outing. James Kim, his wife Kati and daughters Penelope and baby Sabine did not return from their trip in Oregon as scheduled, and a missing persons report was filed by family and friends. Kim was headed towards Gold Beach, a coastal destination to the west beyond rugged terrain.
As the days passed with no word of the family, interest grew. Were they kidnapped? Did they get lost? Did they fall into a ravine? The uncertainty of the situation created intense drama. What made the story more urgent was the fact that a newborn was involved, and the fact that weather conditions in the area of travel were harsh. Five different agencies, including private helicopter service hired by Kim's family were busy searching for the lost family. It was like finding a needle in a haystack: vast wilderness and rugged mountainous terrain, with snow and rain hampering the search efforts.
Finally, Kim's family was located. Mother and daughters were cold and hungry, but in good condition. It turns out that they had turned off onto the wrong road: a long, windy logging road that basically led to nowhere. James had left the family a day or two earlier to find help. Now the search focused on finding him. People were very optimistic, because Kim was known as a very resourceful person. However; I had my apprehensions: a city dweller in rugged, remote Pacific Northwest terrain with inclement weather was not a good combination.
Well, yesterday hope turned to anguish: James Kim's body was found in an icy creek, just five miles from where he turned off from the main highway. It was determined that he made a circuitous route on foot, climbing through thick brush, over slippery boulders, and waded through an icy river in a desperate attempt to save his family. Rescue workers were devasted. It was not the ending everyone was expecting, or was hoping for. It seems that many were taken by surprise at the tragic ending.
I feel so sorry, so badly for James Kim and his family. A good man has died a senseless death. A woman is now widowed. And two girls will grow up not having a father around-- no dad around at graduation, holidays, and family outings; no dad to help with homework; no dad to give them away at their weddings. Only bad memories that are best forgotten. Their lives changed forever on that day. And San Francisco lost a fine neighbor.
There are lessons to be learned here:
1. Don't take your loved ones for granted. Make sure they know you appreciate them, every day. You never know if it's the last time you'll ever see them.
2. Realize that there is more to life than your immediate routine. Death can come any day, unexpected. Make sure there is balance in your life. Realize that the world is a playground that God has given us, to be explored and enjoyed and appreciated while you are alive.
3. Be prepared when you take long trips. Think worse case scenario. Play the pessimist role. Then, do what needs to be done to handle these scenarios should they arise. Here's what we all should learn from James Kim's sacrifice:
a) Research the weather forecast in the area of your destination. Go to weather.com. If snow and rain are in the forecast, bring tire chains, extra car battery, food to last a week, warm clothing, snowshoes, etc.
b) Tell at least two people your itinerary. Check in with them at each stop point.
c) If you will be traveling through rural roads, check in with the county sherriff and get as much info as possible on these roads. Check with locals; take notes of landmarks that will help you navigate to your destination. Use your odometer and correlate with your land map so that you can dead reckon your position at any time. Bring a compass (the navigation one and the geometry one).
d) If you have precious cargo (kids, wife) bring or rent a satellite phone.
That's it. You can never be too prepared.
So, to James Kim-- I didn't know you, but your terrible incident has shook me a little out of my state of monotony. You died too soon. I will say a prayer for you. I am not big on faith, but it's during times like this that I really, really hope that good prevails and there is some sort of heaven; and that there will be a reuniting of you and your family one day.
dp
As the days passed with no word of the family, interest grew. Were they kidnapped? Did they get lost? Did they fall into a ravine? The uncertainty of the situation created intense drama. What made the story more urgent was the fact that a newborn was involved, and the fact that weather conditions in the area of travel were harsh. Five different agencies, including private helicopter service hired by Kim's family were busy searching for the lost family. It was like finding a needle in a haystack: vast wilderness and rugged mountainous terrain, with snow and rain hampering the search efforts.
Finally, Kim's family was located. Mother and daughters were cold and hungry, but in good condition. It turns out that they had turned off onto the wrong road: a long, windy logging road that basically led to nowhere. James had left the family a day or two earlier to find help. Now the search focused on finding him. People were very optimistic, because Kim was known as a very resourceful person. However; I had my apprehensions: a city dweller in rugged, remote Pacific Northwest terrain with inclement weather was not a good combination.
Well, yesterday hope turned to anguish: James Kim's body was found in an icy creek, just five miles from where he turned off from the main highway. It was determined that he made a circuitous route on foot, climbing through thick brush, over slippery boulders, and waded through an icy river in a desperate attempt to save his family. Rescue workers were devasted. It was not the ending everyone was expecting, or was hoping for. It seems that many were taken by surprise at the tragic ending.
I feel so sorry, so badly for James Kim and his family. A good man has died a senseless death. A woman is now widowed. And two girls will grow up not having a father around-- no dad around at graduation, holidays, and family outings; no dad to help with homework; no dad to give them away at their weddings. Only bad memories that are best forgotten. Their lives changed forever on that day. And San Francisco lost a fine neighbor.
There are lessons to be learned here:
1. Don't take your loved ones for granted. Make sure they know you appreciate them, every day. You never know if it's the last time you'll ever see them.
2. Realize that there is more to life than your immediate routine. Death can come any day, unexpected. Make sure there is balance in your life. Realize that the world is a playground that God has given us, to be explored and enjoyed and appreciated while you are alive.
3. Be prepared when you take long trips. Think worse case scenario. Play the pessimist role. Then, do what needs to be done to handle these scenarios should they arise. Here's what we all should learn from James Kim's sacrifice:
a) Research the weather forecast in the area of your destination. Go to weather.com. If snow and rain are in the forecast, bring tire chains, extra car battery, food to last a week, warm clothing, snowshoes, etc.
b) Tell at least two people your itinerary. Check in with them at each stop point.
c) If you will be traveling through rural roads, check in with the county sherriff and get as much info as possible on these roads. Check with locals; take notes of landmarks that will help you navigate to your destination. Use your odometer and correlate with your land map so that you can dead reckon your position at any time. Bring a compass (the navigation one and the geometry one).
d) If you have precious cargo (kids, wife) bring or rent a satellite phone.
That's it. You can never be too prepared.
So, to James Kim-- I didn't know you, but your terrible incident has shook me a little out of my state of monotony. You died too soon. I will say a prayer for you. I am not big on faith, but it's during times like this that I really, really hope that good prevails and there is some sort of heaven; and that there will be a reuniting of you and your family one day.
dp
posted by The Pragmatist | 9:42 PM
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