thanks for your kindness I just recieved your blog,,via e-mail about Star,,, Mind blowing article,,,Thanks for all you did for leslie in her time of need ,,,
if you go to Alaska outside of Delta there is a creek named,,,Mourningstar,,I gave him a map of it,, hope he got there,,,
been out of touch with the family ...long time VC Vandal...
retired in Puerto Vallarta ,,Jalisco ,,Mexico
THANK YOU Your compassion and complete devotion to both John and Leslie has softened this tragedy and truly helped with the heartbreak. I grew up with John in Aspen and was so pleased when he married Leslie. She is a pure person and it was no accident that you two were there to offer her so much at such a critical time. Words fail me here. Thank you could never be enough. You two should go to Virginia City, Montana and meet all of your new friends.
Kindness of Strangers I grew up with John Morningstar. He was a close friend of my twin brother's since 4th grade. He was a kind, sensitive and delightful man and you couldn't help but completely adore him. I haven't seen John or Leslie since they came to my wedding in Virginia in 1985. I guess we got caught up in our owb busy lives. But this I know, his loss is easier knowing that complete strangers were there doing everything they could for both John and Leslie. It's appropriate that such a good man would have such genuine humanity at the end of his life on a hiking trail in a foreign country.
Jann Mills
Star Hannah and Nico: I'm a long time friend of Leslie and John's and cannot begin to express the graditude of his family and friends for your care and compassion. We all admire you beyond words
Tom Polachek, Chicago
Wisdom by Grace “God whose law is it that he who learns must suffer.
And even in our sleep, pain that cannot forget
falls drop by drop upon the heart,
and in our own despite, against our will,
comes wisdom to us
by the awful grace of God.”
Source: Aeschylus. Agamemnon (The Oresteia), 458 BCE
I send along this sentiment to ease any feelings of sadness you may have from time to time for Star, Leslie, Annie & Madison.
There is no question of your focus or determination as our friends began a transition that was to change many lives.
100% of the energy you spent for our friends will be returned to you as the balance in our lives is struck.
I thought I had left most of my tears in Montana with the family & friends at the memorial service.
But after reading this blog of your efforts with Star and Leslie
the amount of tears I shed damn near shorted out this laptop.
Remember to live this life like you stole it.
Love Dorwin
Fun You guys look like you are having so much fun! We are planning our trip back there for next April--hoping.
Be safe and keep having fun!!
And WOW on your experiences --I am so proud of your CPR skills and amazing heart!
Thank you Dear Nico and Hannah, through your experience I've realized more that our life can be changed in a matter of hours by people who don't even know you. Thanks for sharing your story, it is certainly an "awakening". You two are Leslie’s angels! Love you both, be safe, ella
Inspirational People always talk about there being truely compassionate people left in the world, I think that there are only a few. We lost one with star, but found out that there were two more. I hope someday you can bring your travels to this part of the world. You will be greeted with open arms and endless stories of the man you worked so hard to save.
wish you'd look up my friend in Bangkok Hi Guys, If still in Bangkok, please don't forget about Gary Haeger. You should have his information w/ you. He is an old college friend and very witty and wise. He'd love to hear from you!
karen
Thank You I can't say anything that hasn't already been said about you two. I hope you can make it to Virginia City so we can all meet you in person and show you our thanks. :)
God bless you both. This story is certainly a lesson in courage and hope to all the rest of us. You've shown that there is true beauty in this world, even in the darkest of times. I'm certain that your kindness will follow you and bless you in the days to come. Thank you for sharing this amazing story.
Thank you The Morningstars are some of my closest friends and I want to thank you two for all the help you gave to help someone you didn't know.Leslie gave John a wonderful sendoff this last saturday, he will truly be missed by all that knew him,he was quite the character with a huge heart. Once again thanks for all the help you gave to Leslie and posting a blog where i could read and learn about how he passed...come visit sometime,we live in a beautiful part of Montana...peace,Harlan:)
life Having read your entry I can only say that you all made a monumental effort to save a life. The effort of trying is noble in itself and although Star died, your efforts were in no way futile. Life is never futile.
John, Star Hannah and Nico, I am John's sister and I want to thank you for all you tried to do for my brother and for Leslie. I know absolutely that Gos had you there at that time and place to do what you did. I will always be thankful to the two of you for all the help you gave Leslie. May God bless you in the rest of your travels, and know that I am praying for you.
Star will be missed I grew up in the Madison Valley near Virginia City (Ennis). Star and his family were very loved in our community and my heart just breaks for them. I can't believe he's gone.
Temple Fever At Angkor Thom, Jane and I were standing by one of the main gate roads lined with statutes on both sides that are pulling on a snake. Our tour guide explained that one side of the road was lined with demons. I asked him "How can you tell which ones are demons?" He replyed in a heavy Cambodian accent, "Dehlen . . . iz easy . . . look for the round eyes - demon have a round eye, like you." No further questions. So show that demons can be good people will ya? ; )
With love, great thanks, and more Faith than ever Hello,
Me name is Rebecca Hamler and I have grown up with Leslie's kids since birth. After I read this beautifully written account, it made me realize what you all had to go through in one of the most terrifying and unorganized places in the world. I am deeply touched by your compassion and strength you shared with our loved friend Leslie. In the past, I never knew what to believe about different religions or Gods, but you two have proved that there is a higher power watching out for all of us. I truly believe that you were sent by God to be there with Star and Leslie. You two are Angels walking amongst us.
Thank you so much! Good luck with the rest of your travels and careers!
compassion When the news of Star's death reached us in Montana, a friend of mine said, "What will Leslie do, all alone over there?" My immediate reply was, "Someone with compassion will come forward to help her and be with her". Thank you for being those compassionate souls. You have gained a lot of friends in this corner of Montana for trying to save Star and helping dear Leslie during the ordeal and aftermath. You are shining examples of the best that mankind has to offer. Thank you Hannah and Nico.
wow I'm so glad you could be there for Leslie and help her through this. I can't even imagine. I love you guys!
"Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live forever." - Ghandi
a sister's thanks I have always known that there are angels on earth but you two have proven it. I am so grateful that you were there for Star and my sister Leslie. Thank you so much for this thoughtful and well documented account of the events. It will be treasured by Star's family forever.
Thanks Nico and Hannah Dear Nico and Hannah,
I'm here in Virginia City with Leslie and the kids now. We'll have the memorial celebration for Star on Saturday at his beloved apple orchard down the valley.
I've know Star since we were 12 or 13 years old. He was an incredibly complex but thoroughly endearing guy. Thanks for all you did for him and for Leslie.
Les and the kids are doing well. This will be a long process. Grief always is.
Enjoy your trip. I know you'll never forget this experience and I also know it will bring lessons to you for years to come.
Go well,
Caren von Gontard
Paonia, Colorado
Thanks Nico and Hannah, I'm sorry I missed meeting you in Phnom Penh. Thank you for being so very helpful to Leslie in Siem Reap - you have my gratitude. Kind regards and safe travels, Jean
eternal gratitude Dearest Nico and Hannah, I am Leslie's friend Porter here in Montana, And I want to thank you for all your help during Star's struggle and during the horrendous aftermath. You are two blessed people on this earth.
I have been to the River of a Thousand Lingas twice; I was the one who really encouraged Les and Star to go to Cambo as it is a special place in my heart. I can picture the trail, the Cambodian crowd, the police (!) and all the chaos and frustration. You two hung in there for Leslie. You were her guardian angels.
Leslie is surrounded with love. Star is shining in the heavens and will really be missed by his family and friends. He was an extraordianry man, like a brother to me. We will have a celebration of his life in his beloved orchard on Saturday.
There are a lot of tears here in Montana, but there is also hope for the future. It is kind and compassionate people like you that make this life worth living everyday.
Thank you so much. Thank you Thank you Thank you.
Feel free to email me. I will pass all messages to Leslie; she doesn't use email very often, especially when she is in Virginia City.
Peace be with you,
Porter
I am no longer monitoring this travel blog on a regular basis. If you would like to send myself or Hannah a note, please send it to one of our personal email addresses or by using the messaging service from this site. Since I am required to review all comments before they are posted, if you post a comment on this blog, there will likely be a very long delay before that comment is published. For this reason, I encourage you to send a note directly rather than post any more comments. -Nico (December 03, 2009)
"Who lives sees much, who travels sees more."
And so we begin our jo... full info
Ron Abbe
non-member comment
thanks for your kindness
I just recieved your blog,,via e-mail about Star,,, Mind blowing article,,,Thanks for all you did for leslie in her time of need ,,, if you go to Alaska outside of Delta there is a creek named,,,Mourningstar,,I gave him a map of it,, hope he got there,,, been out of touch with the family ...long time VC Vandal... retired in Puerto Vallarta ,,Jalisco ,,Mexico