Base Camp

It’s taken a lot to get here - getting these words up on the screen. It’s a struggle that, for most reading this, I assume you are acquainted. Few submissions have made it through. I understand, believe me.

Processing the events of August 2019 and my brother’s death have been quite a journey. It’s something that I had walled off with work for the most part, until global current events changed all of that. It’s only now, over a year later, that I feel somewhat capable of starting this monumental task.

Ken was full of energy and vigor but handled some matters very privately. For a long time I’ve wrestled with the notion of how much to reveal to everyone - I’m still debating it internally. I’m sure sharing some material would make him uncomfortable. In the end though, Ken put a lot of work into figuring out the mental and physical blocks in his life. Sharing this information may help others dealing with similar issues.

Of course, I have a personally vested interest in this as well. Both Ken and I, while different in personality, approached a lot of problems the same way mentally. I feel my identity linked to him now more than ever before, especially since we had just started to collaborate once again before his demise. Learning about his capabilities helps inform me of my own and I want to continue the collaboration we had started in earnest.

So I, and whomever else decides to join me, will start here. I’ve gone over plans, prepared myself mentally and physically, and gathered my memories to the best of my ability. A journey of discovering true self. A celebration of life. Finding out what matters most and why. The weather will turn us back sometimes, undoubtedly. The trail will probably meander and be difficult to find. With Ken’s help though, maybe we can all find one last summit with him.

Ken was a guide to many people, it was a role with which he was comfortable - enjoyed even. This is why I chose to password the new memories gallery with the word ‘Sherpa’ in all capitals, in hopes of keeping any bots away. If you have any media of Ken you want featured there, feel free to send it to ‘advwithken’ at gmail dot com.

Welcome to Base Camp.

Sincerely,

Ryan Anderson