On February 17, 2008 all of our lives were devastated in an instant with Lindsay’s tragic passing as a seat belted passenger in a single vehicle rollover 700 metres from the safety of our family home’s gateway. Everyday we wrestle with the question Why… and we are frustrated there is no answer to our question. As a family we have been faced with a multitude of heart wrenching decisions and one of the most difficult in coming to terms with Lindsay’s death was the placement of her memorial. There was and is a horrible finality to this task – it really is forever. We asked family and friends to contribute words they associated with Lindsay and her life that we would have etched on to her memorial stone. After receiving hundreds of words the family settled on 25 as an appropriate number and we humbly thank everyone for their contributions. All of Lindsay’s words mean so much to us and all are kept in a special place in Lindsay’s library. The front of Lindsay’s memorial states “The world is a book” and this is how Lindsay lived her life always learning, always experiencing, always loving, always. The rest of the quote from St Augustine is “those who do not travel read only a page.” The Kimmett family pledges to continue Lindsay’s travels and dedicate our journeys to honor her. We encourage all to broaden their horizons and hope they will join us in collecting pebbles from all corners of the world to leave for Lindsay at her final resting place.
We as Lindsay’s parents are completely consumed with sorrow at her untimely passing but in an attempt to move forward positively we have a great desire to carry on her legacy. She was an academic and so we want to encourage other youth to reach their potential by the establishment of enduring scholarships at all 3 Cochrane High Schools and at the University level. She loved children and we are committed to supporting local youth programs in Cochrane. She shared a passion for all things medical with her Mom and thus we hope to offer the U of C Medical School technical tools to enhance the education of the physicians of tomorrow. She shared a love of sports with her Dad and so we want to assist with local sporting facilities and enduring sponsorships for hockey and ringette players who could not normally afford to play. We truly hope that the gifts from Lindsay’s foundation will assist others to SEIZE THE DAY.
ORIGINATING MEMORIAL FUND OFFICERS
Mr. Denis Marcial
Mr. Ron Jacobsen
THE STORY OF 25
To honor Lindsay the Southern Alberta Womens Hockey League and the Class of 2009 have sewn #25 patches on to their jerseys.
When Lindsay first switched from ringette to hockey in 2002 she was discussing with her brother Reid which number she should have on her new jersey. He asked her what her favorite numbers were and she said 20 and 5 so Reid said her number should be 25. Through her years with the Rangers, Prowlers, Sirens, Jets and Macaques it has been 25 ever since.
LINDSAYS VALEDICTORIAN SPEECH, COCHRANE HIGH SCHOOL, May 1999
ONLY WHEN WE LEARN TO BE HUMBLE ABOUT OURSELVES CAN WE BEGIN TO RESPECT OTHERS
Good afternoon and welcome fellow graduates of the class of 1999 parents teachers and guests.
I would like to begin by saying that this is not a typical speech for a graduation. Although I do feel excitement as I am sure everyone else does at moving on to a new stage in life but that is not what I will be speaking about and although I do wish for everyone here to reach for the stars that is not what I will be speaking of either.
Over the past 13 years of education all of us have learned a tremendous amount. However I hope that we have learned more than how to solve an algebra equation, write an English essay or determine the answer to a science problem. I hope that we have learned among other things to be humble If we learn nothing else from the events in Littleton and Taber we should learn humility.
Only when we learn to be humble about ourselves can we begin to respect others. If our years of education at Cochrane High have only shown us the thrill of victory on the playing field or on the honour roll then they have not taught us much. These victories teach us to respect the worth of our opponents either in sports on the football field the basketball court or track or over the classmates we compete with every day. Everyone has something unique to offer. It may not be their ability to throw a touchdown pass or ace an exam, it may be the way that they can make someone laugh or the way that they lift someone with their kindness. And on this day I believe that respect for what each one of us have to offer is more important that winning. We need to see past the car that a person drives, the kind of jeans he wears or the way that he does his hair and see the person inside for that is the most important part. Everyone is special. Perhaps realizing that is a greater accomplishment than being on the honour roll or winning the game.
Only by being humble can we learn to treasure life. We have been reminded by the events in Littleton and Taber that life is fragile. But this reminder can be a blessing if it teaches us to appreciate life. Long ago poets coined a phrase to the fragility of life which has become our school motto “Carpe Diem” – seize the day. We need to live life to the fullest savouring each moment. We should embrace every opportunity that we encounter because it may never come our way again. The more we accomplish in life the less we have to regret. Knowing this who among us would want to let a petty misunderstanding or harsh word come between ourselves and a friend? Who among us would waste life complaining of boredom when there is so much out there to experience? Who would want to pass up an opportunity to chase our dreams or show someone how much we care? We need to strive to live our lives so that when our time has come we can leave happily knowing that we accomplished everything that we could in our short time on earth.
I hope that as we leave Cochrane High we all look back with fond memories acknowledging that we accomplished as much as we could in the four years that we attended this school. I will always remember the crowded hallways, smiling faces and friendly people here.
I would like to thank all of the teachers for putting up with us for the past four years and preparing us to enter into whatever the future holds for us. We all thank you for this.
I would also like to thank the parents for their many years of support and encouragement. It means a lot to know that there will always be someone for you.
And to the graduating class of 1999 I wish you all the best in all of your future pursuits. I wish you all of the happiness in the world no matter which path your life takes. Remember to follow your dreams, be true to yourself and reach for the stars in everything that you do.
Congratulations and good luck…
KILIMANJARO
During the months of June and July 2007 Lindsay was involved in doing medical school electives in Kingston, Ontario for two weeks and a month in Tanzania, Africa. She worked in hospitals and clinics in Dar Es Salaam and a much smaller city called Arusha. Several of her colleagues from the University of Calgary School of Medicine accompanied her for the electives in Africa and they worked, learned, lived and partied their summer away in African hospitals, clinics, motels, restaurants and even the beautiful beaches of Zanzibar. In late July Lindsay, Jess Brown, Will Doelman and Jon Laxton began their adventure they had planned before leaving for Tanzania to climb the highest mountain in Africa – Kilimanjaro. They took the Rongai route which begins near the border with Kenya setting out on July 28. Lindsay overcame many health obstacles during the trek but persevered with the help of her guides and friends. She wrote in her journal “It was very tiring and I felt like I had no energy at all and could not get enough air. We finally made it to Gilman’s Point just before sunrise and I was utterly exhausted. I sat and cried as I knew that I either had to continue on to the Uhuru peak or go back down but didn’t feel like I had the energy for either.” A physician from Austria passed by Lindsay’s group and gave her some dextrose which gave her some energy and with Jess encouraging her to just take 5 steps at a time and then rest the group summited the roof of Africa at 830 am on August 1, 2007. “Just getting to the top of Kilimanjaro is not the end of your trip as you now have to get down after 9 hours of hiking up.” In her journal Lindsay wrote, “I don’t know how I would have made it down without Will and Erinest’s (guide) help.” Lindsay and her friends did complete their journey the next day and went on to enjoy a memorable and restful safari with Jess before returning home to Canada. In summing up Lindsay wrote, “Overall besides feeling like crap it was really an amazing experience.” As she always did Lindsay set a goal, overcame extreme obstacles along her journey and completed the task at hand. Little did her family know just how difficult this goal had been to obtain and what it took for Lindsay and her friends to accomplish the feat of summiting Kili.
THE MISSION
In the spring of 2008 after Lindsay’s passing on February 17 we were talking to our friend Mitch Makarchuk and he told us that he was going to Africa in May and climbing Mount Kilimanjaro. After some discussion Dianne and I decided we would like to send a package with Mitch to be left at the top of Kilimanjaro. The package was a picture of Lindsay at Uhuru with a note written on the back from us and the tribute written by us on our painful journey back from the Caribbean. In May 2008 Mitch along with Kelly and Oliver Obermeier from SOK Globe Trekker Adventures and friend Lucy carried our package via the Machame route to Uhuru peak summiting on May 11 2008, Mother’s Day. In an email to us Mitch wrote, “It was an extremely strenuous trek but the most fulfilling accomplishment I have ever done. When I needed strength through the most difficult stages I could feel Lindsay beside me giving me the encouragement to continue. We found a beautiful spot for your package a few metres behind the summit sign that has a peaceful view of the crater ash pit. It will remain there for you to retrieve on your own venture.”
THE PILGRIMAGE
In early 2009 Reid, Taylor Dianne, and I decided we would make an attempt at joining Lindsay at the top of Kilimanjaro and retrieve the package Mitch had taken to the top for us. With the help of Kelly and Oliver planning our itinerary and organizing our trip we put in motion a plan to reach the pinnacle of Africa on August 1, 2009 exactly 2 years after Lindsay arrived at Uhuru. In a meeting with our grief counselor Bob Glasgow we told him of our planned trip and what it meant to us and it was at that point he said it sounded more like a pilgrimage to him and the name stuck. After months of planning, practice hikes in the Rockies, purchasing of equipment, numerous vaccinations and enjoyable planning dinners with Kelly, Oliver, Mitch and Lucy we headed for Tanzania along with Lindsay’s uncle Doug Stauffer on July 25, 2009. On July 28 we commenced our Kili trek on the Marangu route with 3 guides, 1 cook and 17 porters. Our first night was spent at Mandara Huts at an altitude of 8875 feet which was slightly lower than the highest point we had hiked during the spring and summer. By the second night we were at 12,200 feet on our way to the peak at 19,300. We were amazed by what seemed a very chaotic situation of many climbing groups guides and innumerable porters but how finely organized the entire trek was from meals to wakeups to tea to picking up and returning our heavy bags of gear. Following an acclimatization day on July 30 we arrived at a wind blown Kibo Hut located in a desolate region 15,460 feet above sea level. Following a small meal and an attempt at some rest we started our summit attempt in the darkness at 1130 pm, July 31. Through the dark night we labored through the endless loose screeand switchbacks then scrambled through large boulders before arriving at Gilman’s Point at 5 am just 250 metres from the peak. Little did we know that we would then descend into the crater and it would take another 1 1/2 hours to reach Uhuru. I had to rely on Jess’ technique to finish the grind by counting my zombielike steps “12345Linds.” The five of us with 3 guides Peter, William and Gadi arrived at the peak (19,341 ft) at 630 am on August 1, exactly 2 years after Lindsay and her friends had been there. We were filled with a cacophony of conflicting emotions – exhausted, exhilarated and amazed by the sunrise over the massive craters rim. I wrote in my journal, “We took our pictures in front of the sign and Mom sat on the post you were on precisely 2 years before. All 5 of us held pictures of you and wore our Macaque jerseys. It was definitely a monumental moment. The 5 of us stood with you in spirit as one and in our hearts as you will forever be. Tears streamed from my eyes as they did from Mom’s, Taylor’s, Reid’s Doug’s and our guides especially Peter who had accompanied Mitch to the top last May. Peter and I dug out the package we had sent with Mitch and we left another there for eternity. Thirty minutes after reaching the peak we were on our way down and after 1 more night on the mountain we finished the trek on August 2 passing through the Marangu Gate from where we had started 6 days before. The pilgrimage had ended after over 70 kilometres and an elevation gain of over 13,000 feet. We had learned much about ourselves and about Lindsay during our journey. As Mitch so eloquently wrote in an email to us about the time we summitted “We all know you are closer to the one you love.” The five of us had conquered one of the Kilimanjaros we all experience in life. We know there are many more Kilis for us to go through or over as we move on and we wish everyone who thought of us, sent good luck messages and congratulations all the best as they face their own personal Kilimanjaros.
Assante sana
PRECLERKSHIP DINNER
Lindsay was on her way to her parent’s home the morning of Sunday February 17 to cook dinner for members of her Medical School class. In the days preceding she had formulated the menu, purchased the groceries, baked the chocolate cake and started preparation for the meal to be served Sunday evening. Her friends arrived that fateful Sunday afternoon but Lindsay had already been tragically called away and the dinner party would not be happening. On Wednesday February 20 the Kimmett family and their friends hosted over 120 of Lindsay’s med school classmates, local friends, family and hockey teammates to enjoy her dinner of ham and turkey. It was a healing experience for all – crying, laughing, sharing, learning, remembering and best of all a small taste for all of Lindsay’s final chocolate cake. The recipe book had remained open on the counter after she baked it. The haunting name of the recipe – “Died and Gone to Heaven Chocolate Cake.”
DOCTOR OF MEDICINE
On May 14, 2009 Lindsay was awarded a posthumous Doctor of Medicine degree from the University of Calgary. The Dean of Medicine Dr Thomas Feasby presented Lindsay’s degree to Dianne on the stage of the Jack Simpson Gymnasium. In his letter to Lindsay’s family Dr Feasby stated this rare honour was bestowed upon Lindsay to communicate the regard with which Lindsay was held during her time at the University of Calgary. He said Lindsay is remembered for many merits including her positive attitude, her academic performance and her zeal for hockey. The Kimmett family is honored to accept Lindsay’s degree and graciously thanks the university faculty support staff and especially her fellow classmates.The following evening Kelly and Dianne attended the Class of 2009 Graduation Banquet held at the Palomino Room in the Roundup Centre. The Kimmetts wish to thank Masters of Ceremonies Dr Katie Giles and Dr Breanne Everett for our invitation to the special evening and their kind words about Lindsay as they introduced us to award the first Dr Lindsay Leigh Kimmett Prize in Emergency Medicine. We were proud to present the award of $2525.00 to Dr Meira Louis a very special friend of Lindsay. Dr Louis has matched to emergency in Calgary where she will be commencing her career in emergency medicine. Valedictorian Dr. Daryl Wile also paid tribute to Lindsay in his address, “I think the last lesson from medical school is the most important one and the one that will last the longest and that is to look after one another. I won’t attempt to summarize how much this type of support meant for each of you when we lost our friend Lindsay Kimmett. I know that this affected all of us deeply and each of us differently. We are proud she was our classmate and she is dearly missed tonight.” In his keynote address Dr Bruce Wright, Associate Dean UME who also spoke at Lindsay’s funeral stated that the Class of 2009 had overcome many obstacles particulary a horrible senseless death and that he encouraged the new graduates to find a hero. He felt that he had found many heroes in his career and that some of the 2009 graduating class were already in that category. The Kimmett family is confident that the Class of 2009 will not only find their heroes they will in fact become someone else’s hero. Dr. James Leung concluded the program with an incredible powerpoint production chronicling the classes 3 year adventure in medical school. He ended the production with a poignant salute to Lindsay saying one of us is missing tonight and that the class will tell her story as Dr Wright said they should. He ended the tribute with a simple thank you for being an awesome classmate. The Kimmett family wishes to thank all of Lindsay’s classmates for her inclusion in their convocation celebration and the faculty and university for the conference of her degree. Our family hopes that you will all remember Lindsay, perhaps when you see a hockey player giving everything they have, maybe a quiet toast to her when sipping your Viognier or a quick consult with Linds when you are writing a prescription. We are touched and honored that Lindsay was a part of your class even in death and we wish all the best life has to bring in the years ahead. Congratulations!
DAFFODIL PRINCIPLE
THIS ARTICLE WAS FOUND ON LINDSAY’S DESK
Before me lay the most glorious sight It looked as though someone had taken a great vat of gold and poured it down over the mountain peak and slopes. The flowers were planted in majestic swirling patterns, great ribbons and swaths of deep orange, white, lemon yellow, salmon, pink saffron and butter yellow. Each different colored variety was planted as a group so that it swirled and flowed like its own river with its own unique hue.
Five acres of the most beautiful flowers I had ever seen.
“Who planted all these?” I asked Julie.
“It’s just one woman,” Julie answered. She lives on the property. That’s her home and she pointed to a well kept A-frame house that looked small and modest in the midst of all that glory.
We walked up to the house and on the little patio we saw a poster.
Answers to the Questions I Know You Are Asking
50000 bulbs
one at a time
by one woman
2 hands 2 feet
and very little brain
Began in 1958
There it was – The Daffodil Principle
For me that moment was a lifechanging experience. I thought of this woman whom I had never met who more than thirty five years before had begun one bulb at a time to bring her vision of beauty and joy to an obscure mountain top.
Still this unknown old woman had forever changed the world in which she lived. She had created something of magnificent beauty and inspiration.
The principle her daffodil garden taught is one of the greatest principles of celebration – learning to move toward our goals and desires one step at a time often just one baby step at a time, learning to love the doing, learning to use the accumulation of time.
When we multiply tiny pieces of time with small increments of daily effort we too will find we can accomplish magnificent things. We can change the world.
It makes me sad in a way I admitted to Julie. What might I have accomplished if I had thought of a wonderful goal thirty five years ago and had worked away at it one bulb at a time through all those years. Just think what I might have been able to achieve.
My daughter summed up the message of the day in her direct way. “Start tomorrow Mom,” she said. It’s so pointless to think of the lost hours of our yesterdays. The way to make learning a lesson, a celebration instead of a cause for regret is to only ask…
How can I put this to use today?
Use the Daffodil Principle: Stop waiting
Until your car or home is paid off
Until you get a new car or home
Until your kids leave the house
Until you go back to school
Until you finish school
Until you clean the house
Until you organize the garage
Until you clean off your desk
Until you lose 10 lbs
Until you gain 10 lbs
Until you get married
Until you get a divorce
Until you have kids
Until the kids go to school
Until you retire
Until summer
Until spring
Until winter
Until fall
Until you die
There is no better time than right now to be happy. Happiness is a journey not a destination.
Jaroldeen Asplund Edwards Author
