Yesterday we were in Thame, Nepal, Apa’s hometown
–We received these posts late, they are presented in the correct order, but the timestamps from the blog are not necessary accurate–
By Marshall Thompson
Yesterday we were in Thame, Nepal, Apa’s hometown. He said he was excited to be there and see his family again. Apa was busy the whole time calling friends and relatives and distributing gifts from the United States. He owns the lodge we stayed in and his sister-in-law manages it. The main dining room is covered with awards Apa has received over the years. There’s a picture of him with Sir Edmund Hillary and one with Sandra Day O’Connor when she was a sitting Supreme Court Judge. There are numerous Guinness Book of World Record certificates and mountaineering plaques.
In the place of honor, however, just above the entrance are several certificates that do not bear Apa’s name. One is for Dawa Sherpa, his daughter, when she made the honor roll at Alta High School in Utah. Another one is for his son, Pemba, for having completed a certificate program in computer science.
This is the perfect representation of Apa’s priorities. He’s proud of what he’s been able to accomplish on Mount Everest, but he’s most proud of his kids’ academic accomplishments. He wants to extend those opportunities to other children in the Khumbu region through his foundation. That’s why he keeps on climbing.
I love that! What a special way to honor his own children. I truly hope that this climb is a success, not just the climb, but Apa’s efforts to help the children in his region get better education.
My two year old grandson in his attempt to call me Grampa, calls me “APA”. What an honor. I do not try to correct him. Blessings to Apa Sherpa and his family.