In memory..

[Gary]

Last year in Chile we met a wonderful couple, Nancy and Joe Schmidt. That camp, we shared lots of experiences and certainly many turns that week.  Joe posted here on this forum in the past. He and Nancy were settling into their life of retirement and living the Colorado dream. I learned from my time with both of them that skiing was something they truly enjoyed together and Joe had an amazing appetite to get out and ski.

I remember his passion....he was a quiet and unassuming man who loved being in the mountains.

On Wed, he was working out....and that's all she wrote. Nancy found him...later he passed away at the hospital.  Although we only knew him a short time, his death hit me particular hard...it's just not right....he was where he wanted to be getting ready to attend another clinic in January....dam..... just doesn't seem fair.

I think we all know that death is on the table for all of us....it's just so sad to see this happen to this great couple at this point in their lives.

It's Thanksgiving.....I think at least for me....being thankful for life each day is THE blessing I try to keep in front of my eyes.

If you guys can, raise a glass to toast a great guy who loved the mountains and making turns...to Joe Schmidt.

Much appreciated,

Gary

[jim-ratliff]

Gary:
My condolences to you on "your loss".
And a mini testament to his life that his life so  positively affected others.

[midwif]

Too many gone far too soon.

To Joe.....a glass raised in your honor.
L.

[Gary]

Thanks, I know you guys would have loved Joe too.

[LivingProof]

Gary,

Here's to Joe Schmidt,
Here's to us and those who ski with us, damn few!

In the past 5 years, I lost 2 great ski buds. It hurts, and, I still miss them. You have the memories, he lives in your mind. My best wishes to his wife. I could not imagine what life would be like for her, literally - here today, gone tomorrow.

By chance, today was my annual physical. I train as hard or harder than ever, so, under the doc's orders, it's time to schedule another stress test. Just precautionary, my past tests have been great, but, it is time for a senior skier to get it done. Gotta keep up with all you guys (ooops, and girls).

[jim-ratliff]

And to Doug Stern, whose birthday would have been today.
Three months of saying he was going to beat the cancer, three months of Lynn knowing that their 30 years together was over.

[jbotti]

Every day is a gift!! Its an even bigger gift when we remember this every day!!

[Gary]

SO I know we all have someone to lift a glass for this Thanksgiving.....

If there's a lesson for me...along with Mike, appreciate those we share our passion with...those special days may be some of the best in our lives....

AND....get our physicals and know if there are limitations and how to work best with what we got...cause in the end...

THAT"S all we got.

Lynn, I'll be thinking of Doug this day too knowing how special he was to you....

Best gang....live life, live large!  g