Originally Published December 6th.
If you have been following the story via news sites, Digg.com or the MSM, there is no need to rehash it, but I feel I had to post something about the death of James Kim, just announced today.
The moment I heard about the family missing six days ago, I was immediately paying attention. Not because of morbid curiosity, or the fact that it was a gripping “human interest” story, but because I had a personal connection.
I’ve met a couple of the guys from TechTV before, guys who worked closely with James, and know those guys who are hurting right now, but that’s not the connection.
I watched James on TechTV countless times, and always smiled as he beamed at pictures of his new daughter that he took with the new digital camera he bought. But that’s not the connection.
I looked at all the internet postings, and saw incredibly insensitive comments by anonymous posters, shots of Nicholson at the end of The Shining, photos making fun of his pants being found, and was disgusted and even more involved by the emotional reaction… but that’s not the connection.
I saw loving worry and concern from other anonymous bloggers and posters, and like them felt joy at the love and celebration when James’ wife and children were found safely…. but that’s not the connection.
The empathy, the connection I feel – simple: That could be me out there.
I have done stupid things, a lot of them in my car. They took a dangerous road at the wrong time of year and got stuck. Stupid thing. Just like I’ve done, and will (probably) do again.
They scrambled to keep warm, the mother nurse-feeding the two children to keep them healthy. They burned tires, ate snow. Days passed. And then…
He left them, to get help. And died. And never knew they made it.
Which is exactly what I would do for my family, if I was there.
Lots of people are second-guessing the Kims, and some crass people are mocking Kim for going the wrong way, not sticking to the road. I did too.
And then I realized – I’d probably do the same thing. I’d look for a high point, try and find a place where my cell phone worked so I could call for help… and maybe be in the same place he ended up. James was human, he made mistakes, and while they did some very smart things to survive, they made mistakes. Life isn’t a movie.
The point is, please keep this man’s family in your prayers, if you are so inclined. He was a good man, obvious on the face of it by his actions, and we need more of those type of people in this world.
I only hope that some people use this as a “case study” to remember to Be Prepared, just as Katrina taught us that if the excrement hit the fan, the government can not help us – at least , not for a while. Maybe the publicity on what happened may give people the context and tools to make better (life-saving) decisions in the future.
James, godspeed. I pray that you somehow knew that your family was safe, and did not die in fear and anguish. Rest in Peace.
– Joe