2008 – A Year of Celebration

When I reflect on 2008, it is was a life changing year for me personally. This year was significant to me, because my life friend almost died. Stein Erickson, the 81 year old legendary skier who founded Stein Erickson lodge, has been my close friend for centuries. It shook me to the core.

When you almost lose a significant person in your life it can make you question your own vulnerability. It can also make you rededicate yourself to getting the most from life again. You get a sense of your own time on earth ticking away and recommit to making the most of being alive.

Stein was skiing when he fell because a young boy got in his path. He was knocked out, and he broke his wrist and collarbone. He was in a coma. His friends and family were flying in from all over to say goodbye. But he pulled through. Not only that, but he was well enough to go on a trip to Paris with my wife Kimberly and I this past Fall. He and his wife accompanied us all over and we had an amazing trip.

We met his nephew who was the assistant to the president of France and had dinner with them.
Here is a video we took of our time together. In the next post, I’ll talk more about the affect almost losing my friend had on my dedication to live passionately.