True Value

Post by **quicksilver** » Sun Oct 15, 2006 5:26 am

It has been a long time since I have been able to climb and it will be a lot longer if ever untill I do again. During this time I have spent much time reflecting on climbing, what it means to me and how it has changed over the years.It means beautiful days spent with just one partner - it means beautiful days spent with a whole lot of climbers. It means having a great day when it all clicks for you at your level - it means seconding a much better leader on the days it does not click. Traveling thousands of miles to climb - it means climbing at the local gym. But most of all it means feeling the love, energy and postive vibes of the whole climbing community. I will never hesitate to say I love you again - I will never waste my time arguing useless points of ettiqueete etc. Before he passed away a few years ago my Father (not a climber) gave me a coffee cup which says,
"REMEMBER TRUE VALUE IS FOUND IN RELATIONSHIP" iT ALSO SAYS "THE TIES WE HAVE ARE EVERLASING"

For me those ties that bind foerver and the value of those relationships is the bottom line.

Kiss your family
Love your family
Take Nothing for granted
Work in harmony and peace to resolve problems
Say something nice to even tne vaugest of aquaintences

Good Guy and Erin

, Rick and Liz, Carla and Jared, Jeff Kennedy, Miquel and Family,
Mark and Family, Larry (scooter), Zspider, Rich Shiffrin, Brian Boyd, Jacob, Dave The Dude, Emily and jim Martin, Ty, Scott Lappin, Mara, Tim Powers,The Sultan, Eric and Teresa bass - see it just goes on and on like a never ending tick list. A tick list vastly more important than Climb ratings

Build that tick list and you will never be sorry.

Just had to get it out - I Love You One and All

Post by **goodguy** » Sun Oct 15, 2006 6:33 pm

You'll be climbing again soon enough quicksilver. Just remember that you've got all those people on your tick list pulling for you and that we all fully expect to see you on the rock again. I mean, your not going to let a little heart surgery keep you down are you?

Oh and it would be a shame if you didn't get to train at the shire, also known as The rehab or old farts wall.

Post by **littlefeller** » Sun Oct 15, 2006 7:02 pm

You are way to strong spirited to not ever do anything again Mike. I've heard way to many crazy stories come from your younger year,and i have known you from the very beginning of the start of the gym.You dont need to worry about a little surgery.I'm pretty sure when you go it will be in glory.I'm there for you man lets go for a ride or go to the gorge when you can.

Eric

Post by **t bone** » Sun Oct 15, 2006 8:28 pm

Rock on Mike , We all here for ya! You are a tough hombre. I am proud to be on that list. Tim

Post by **Mulva** » Mon Oct 16, 2006 10:51 am

Good words Mike.

I'm so sorry to hear though you have been through so much! And I'm even sorrier we didn't know you were having surgery! I just talked to Josh on the phone but wanted to let you know how much we love you and will be there to support you through this challenge! I know you will recover and come back stronger than ever!! And when that happens Eric and I will be there(along with the rest of your friends/family).... to hit the trails and/or the crags with you!!

Love Teresa

Post by **quicksilver** » Tue Oct 17, 2006 3:49 am

Thanks for all your kind words. As I probably have told many of you through the years - the gym exists because of the love and energy that all of you have put into it. The countless hours you guys volunteerd and help given have always amazed me. One of the things you think about when approaching a serious and risky operation is how will things be if I am gone. I felt good that Joshua and his brother Jeremy were self suffucient and there was no need to worry about that. Of course my wife and my Mother were a big concern - and they too would be fine no matter what the outcome. And than of course I pondered over the gym even though it is Joshuas' gym and not mine. Funny thing is I felt very calm about HH because I knew that wether I was there or not or even if Josh eventually chose another direction things would continue as long as it still held value for all the climbers that utilize the gym. Anyway here it is 2:45 a.m.. and I am beating around on my keyboard. Still in some substantial pain and seem to have my days and nights mixed up. Will try to actually leave the house for 1 to 1.5 hours tomorrow and go get some blood work done. It is going to be a long haul but just like a climb of 3000 ft it is done one step at a time. You all will probably get sick of me saying it but I promised myself that I would always tell those I love how I feel about them - I love you guys.