Gold for Kevin Pearce

As the anniversary of his accident comes around, my cousin Kevin is much on my mind. What a journey he has been on. As have we all who held our breaths and prayed and waited for news. Day after day, last January.

Few of us get to be heroes at the tender age of 22.

My cousin Kevin is one.

Dear Kevin, I dedicate 2010 to you!

We all knew 2010 was going to be a big year for you...

This was to be the year that you unleashed your talent on the world. This the year all your training had led up to. Every day, all though your teenage years you dedicated yourself to physical fitness, courage, strength, dexterity and determination: you were training for the biggest achievement of your life.

Until this time last year, we thought that it would be an Olympic gold. We thought your talent was snow boarding. And it was. But that was only a tiny part. Instead, the gold you earned and held high to us proud supporters around the world, was spiritual gold. Gold that shined so bright and strong that it told death and incapacity to take a hike. You were going to live... live bright, live full... full of joy, of gratitude, of humility, of patience, of positivity. What a lesson you have been to us all.  What a proof of the power of prayer and positive thinking. Proof of the incredible powers of our doctors to heal and the brain to rebuild itself. And the power of love to conquer all.

Dedicated to my cousin, Kevin Pearce, snowboarder extraordinaire, and one of the nicest guys you're ever likely to meet.
Kevin's Facebook Page