I've Stumbled On The Side Of Twelve Misty Mountains

Until this week, all we knew about Sir Edmund Hillary was that he was a New Zealander who was the first to climb Mt. Everest. His Sherpa was named Tenzing Norgay. This all happened in 1953 when I was only 6.

Hillary passed away on January 11 and yesterday was his funeral in Auckland.

The whole thing was on television and since the country was experiencing a tremendous wind and rainstorm, we sat down with coffee and watched the services for hours.

The speakers, among whom were Helen Clark, our female Prime Minister, Norgay's son, Hillary's family and friends, all drummed home the same point. Sir Edmund thought himself to be an ordinary man, nothing special. He is known as a typical Kiwi bloke who did extraordinary things. Here is his story:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edmund_Hillary

Even though it was pouring, thousand and thousands of people lined the streets to get a glimpse of the hearse as it drove from the church. Children threw flowers and everyone applauded. Hillary was the most famous and loved New Zealander ever.

By the time it was over, we gained new respect for the man and pride in this amazing country.

This has been a very testing week. The whole country is in mourning and we certainly feel it. But it is also the 1 year anniversary on the death of our father. To many he was also a ordinary man who did extraordinary things. In addition, our granddaughter, Chloe, turns 1 year old on the same week. Lastly, I will be turning 61 in a few days. There is more stuff that I don't even want to get into.

I am having a difficult time processing all the information without getting a headache. My brain feels like it is at 10,000 feet without oxygen.

February can't come soon enough.