Sacrifice

At some point in time, I subscribed to CNET gadget reviews on my TiVo, and managed to catch a random report by James Kim. So when I heard about the search for him in the Oregon wilderness a few days ago, I paid attention with some interest to the daily news updates. As most of you know, this whole ordeal ended with a miraculous rescue of his wife and two children, but ended in the death of James Kim himself as he made a valiant attempt to find rescue in the freezing temperatures and rugged terrain of the Pacific Northwest.

It's sad enough knowing he sacrificed his life trying to save his family. I think, though, it's even more tragic that he likely died thinking his family would freeze to death just as he eventually did, and that he wouldn't be with them in the final moments. Sadder still, is despite the 10 miles its thought he hiked, he was found only a mile from his car.

Reading about him, he seemed like a really decent, good guy. Writing gadget and electronics reviews for a living, running two trendy clothing stores with his wife, having what sounds like a wonderful family--he seemed to have a life we could all envy. But it all ended. Literally, just one wrong turn. Wow...