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Nepal

October/November 2006

Well, it has taken me 15 months to finally put down some thoughts and photographs of our trip to dedicate the memorial "chorten" in Nepal. I have found this task daunting and finally realized that what I truly wanted to share was Trev's memorial and so that is what I will do. 

I first have to let you know that we "carried" many people with us.  We had Trev's socks, sweats, rain gear, fleece, sleeping bags, pillow, flash light, hat and gloves.

Amy Gelender loaned her jackets, Laurel Klein her down jackets and hat, Hedley and Lynette Rakusin their hiking poles and camel backs, Erin Pascuzzi her fleece and pants, Shema Jamaluddin her scarf, Richard Pascuzzi his video camera, Irene Raden her tape recorder and Mark Perry his socks.  We often thought of all of you as we hiked up the mountain......9 days up and 5 days down.....40 miles up and 40 miles down.

So much advice from so many people made this very emotional journey for us physically so much easier.  Andy and Adam Kolodny recommended we "hydrate early" days before we got there as well as to "lock knees" on the steps up to give our quads a break.  Michael Pinn helped with all our medications and advice on when and if to take something....altitude sickness is a reality, so is gastric upsets.  Debbie Kaplan suggested Granola, Linda Boyd preserved ginger, Ann Music Sudafed, Justin and Schuyler Friedman Gold Bond, Tiger Balm, Vaseline and coffee. Harold Lass told us about Dukoral, Fiona  Murphy electrolytes, Joe Hack candies and Jerry Keilers peanut M and M's.  Andrew Lock, Aurelia Mignon and Daniel Rennert were so helpful in making sure that the hiking schedule we followed would ensure our safe gain in altitude.

I have to also thank two people for getting me physically ready.....Jerry, who trained me for months before I left and Alexis who worked on me to be sure that no ligament and muscle problems would prevent me from reaching my goal.....without these two, I don't think this trip would have been possible.

Asian Trekking, arranged by Thukten Sherpa coordinated everything for us.....from the building of the memorial, to the lama, to hot tea at the dedication. Their care and sensitivity shown was so appreciated by all of us.  Lhakpa Nuru Sherpa and Dilli Magar ably and safely led us on the hike and Nico Smeets was the wonderful photographer whose work is shown here.  Nico became our friend and invaluable resource on our journey.

Lastly........to everyone who sent something to place in the chorten to honor Trev's memory........it is forever sealed at 15,500 feet in one of the most beautiful places in the world.

Thanks to all for your thoughts and prayers, which were with us all the way.

"ATTENTIVE FAMILY AND FRIENDS UNDERSTAND THAT THE ONLY PATH I'LL EVER FEEL COMFORTABLE IN IS MY OWN".

From the diary of Trevor Stokol 7.12.2005

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	On December 23rd, 2006 Jodi sent us the following three photographs and a note: Dear Mom and Dad, Happy birthday Trev. The big one [below] is in honor of our family - perhaps a last portrait of the four of us. And the other two - a couple of my favorites: the personal journey showing on each of our faces in the close-up and the immense physical journey in the landscape shot. I love you Trev. I love you Mom and Dad. Jodi.

The lama doing the puja at the chorten.

All the articles sent to honor Trev's life.

	Arnie placing the articles into the chorten, the only thing that would not fit in was the frisbee, which we left secured on the top.
The magnificent scenery.
	Somewhere in there Trevor is buried.....base camp and the Kumbu glacier and ice fields – Mount Everest in the background.
My favorite......all three of us are reflected in the brass plaque

"I WENT TO THE WOODS BECAUSE I WISHED TO LIVE DELIBERATELY, TO FRONT ONLY THE ESSENTIAL FACTS OF LIFE AND SEE IF I COULD NOT LEARN WHAT IT HAD TO TEACH, AND NOT, WHEN I CAME TO DIE, DISCOVER THAT I HAD NOT LIVED.  I DID NOT WISH TO LIVE WHAT WAS NOT LIFE, LIVING IS SO DEAR, NOR DID I WISH TO PRACTICE RESIGNATION, UNLESS IT WAS NECESSARY.  I WANTED TO LIVE DEEP AND SUCK OUT ALL THE MARROW OF LIFE."

Thoreau

TREV'S DEATH WAS A TRAGEDY.  IT IS NOT JUST THE PERSONAL LOSS WE MOURN, THOUGH OF COURSE IT IS STILL THAT MORE THAN ANYTHING.  BUT WE MOURN TOO FOR THE POTENTIAL, FOR THE CONTRIBUTION THAT HE MIGHT HAVE MADE.

SHALOM

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