Everest Base Camp Trek Dispatch
May 13, 2011 – Dr. Mueller’s Book of Inspirational Verse
Yellowed and held together by a rubber band,
Dr Mueller’s book of verse traveled with us
on our long journey to high altitudes in
the Everest Region.
As our trek draws to a close, we want to share a special tradition that has been a part of each of our days throughout this journey to Everest Base Camp.
Dr. Barb Mueller is a 93-year-old physician and retired professor of medicine in Hamilton, Ontario. He is a good friend of Paul’s and Paul brought something very special that belongs to Dr. Mueller on this trip.
Dr. Mueller is originally from St. Louis and he served as a physician in World War II. He served with valor and distinction and was wounded during the engagement when Allied forces first fought on Japanese soil, Okinawa. During those trying times he carried a small 35-cent Pocket Cardinal Edition of Verse, which comforted him and provided hours of inspiration and entertainment.
Dr. Mueller sent this very same yellowed, worn book with Paul and we carried it with us all the way to Everest Base Camp.
Each evening Mathes and Paul would select a theme appropriate for our day’s adventure and read verse on that topic from Dr. Mueller’s book just before our dinner. Love, Age, Determination, even the topic chosen for our last night on the trail at Phakding, Beer Drinking; in each case Mathes and Paul chose poetry to share that brought smiles and comfort to us just as it had done for Dr. Muller decades ago in the Pacific.
Paul and Mathes sharing verse with us at one of our evening meals.