In Mingma’s (Mingma Norbu Sherpa) Memory!
One early September afternoon, a picnic with friends & Families turned into an in-house food fiesta due to an inclement weather at the Sherpa Residence in Falls Church, Virginia. I noticed that afternoon, Mingma was subtly in control. He was making sure that children were joyfully engaged and adults were busy in socializing and conversation. He made sure his guests were served well. Busy in his balancing act and duties, he would join us adults in conversations on and off.
We had already started talking about how we would organize the next picnic. Ladies had proposed that the men would have to prepare the food in the next picnic. Men were taking turns to respond. When Mingma joined in the conversation, he promptly and confidently said, “What would you all like to have -Hot dogs, Corn-on-the-cob? I will fix whatever you would like to have.” He added laughter in the conversation. Then, he gave us that wonderful smile of his going on to another activity.
As the afternoon looked fair, he proposed a walk in the Great falls Park the original location of this picnic. He had proposed a picnic at this park even in the previous years. We however decided to walk the W&OD trail, which he accepted without any problem. He led us to the trail that nice afternoon. While everyone enjoyed a Sherpa treat indoors and outdoors, I also enjoyed my conversation with him about our children.
Thinking through my association with Mingma, I realize that he never mentioned or mixed his achievements in our conversations as so called elites tend to do, although he was a highly decorated Sherpa, a highly recognized international conservationist, and an extremely popular person among the people he served. He championed “Conservation with a human face” as a World Wildlife Fund (WWF) Executive. Outside South Asia, his associations extended from Sir Edmund Hillary to Senator Hillary Clinton. Mingma’s professional journey is featured in the book Sir Edmund Hillary & the People of Everest by Anne Keiser and Cynthia Ramsay, which chronicles Sir Edmund Hillary’s mission and accomplishments. In his testimony to the U.S. Congress (September 2004) he shared his vision for the Eastern Himalayas. On that tragic Saturday (23rd. September, 2006) among others he was returning from a handover of a successful project under that Vision. With all these achievements, Mingma exemplified humility.
An overview of his work reveals that Mingma served his profession diligently, honestly, courageously and passionately. He was a man of virtues with which he also served his family, friends, community and his people. A Sherpa who was born in the shadows of Mt. Everest left his body in the shadows of Mt. Kachenjungha, but for all his services, he will be remembered forever.
I pray to the Lord for the eternal peace of Mingma’s departed soul and beg for blessings to Phurba (his wife), Dawa (daughter), Tenzing (son) and other members of the bereaved families.
May Lord bless us all with strengths for we must deal with Mingma’s absence!
Dr. Damber K. Gurung, Fairfax, Va
