A dear friend of mine, Kindred Khan Nguyen, was doing one of his favorite and most enjoyable things, camping in Kings Canyon in the Sequoia's over the 4th of July holiday weekend when he left us unexpectedly in a tragic hiking accident on the 4th of July. I've been searching for two weeks to process this and to find the right words to give proper meaning to how special his life was to me and so many others, as well as searching for the right song to dedicate to him. His services and memorials are today and tomorrow. Today I finally found the right song. I'm still speechless in words as to how this great friend impacted my life and the life of the many people he encountered over the years. You can read the blog with some of his writings at http://kindredkhannguyen.blogspot.com/ as well as visit his memorial dedication site at http://www.khannguyen.com. I know I will have much more to share about the tremendous impact he has had on my life over the last few years as soon as I am able to process the part of me that is hurting, grieving and feeling such a great sense of loss... but for now, enjoy the song. It reminds me so much of what he stood for, love and life.
"I am a c'ode of Song. The moments are notes--strung together becoming a song of life. Consciousness is the melody. Tempo, the heart beating." ~Kindred Khan Nguyen 1970-2010
I only knew him for a short time. I was looking for him on face book and found his memorial page. I'm so sorry for your loss. His passing has left me truly thinking about life and how short it can be. Your words are very beautiful. May his memory last forever in the hearts that loved him.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your kind words Joy. He was an amazing man still in our hearts. I think of him and his words of wisdom often. So how did you know our friend Khan?
ReplyDeleteI met him when he was in his late 20,s and he lived in Santa Monica. I have a friend in LA and I would visit her often. We continued to talk for over a year and I have many memories of our conversations. I remember he was writing a screen play and a funny story about a traffic ticket. If you don't mind me asking, how did the accident happen? Since reading your blog a day has not passed without thinking of his love for life. I viewed many pictures and he enjoyed every minute of life he was given. I hope to learn more of his life and things he enjoyed along his journey. Thank you for responding.
DeleteI'm not sure why but tonight I find myself t remembering Khan and how his passing has changed how I now look at life, especially mine. I remember many nights of hours of conversation. It has been years since we had talked but I fell a great loss in my heart. Finding his memorial page was such a shock and I have thought about him many times and wished that I had looked for him sooner. In 2009, we were in California foe 3 weeks and I will visit again in August. I would like to visit his memorial site and leaves some pictures there. Could you let me know where his resting site is? Thank you so much.
ReplyDeleteSorry for the spelling mistakes. I'm trying to adjust to a new phone.
DeleteHi Joy. He was buried at Westminster Memorial Park. 14801 Beach Blvd, Westminster, CA 92683-5314. I'm sure once you're there, someone can direct you to wear his gravestone is. His name and picture are on it. It's southwest of the chapel. From the road, there's a pathway heading south that makes a right turn. If you keep walking straight south about 20 yards or so, you'll find it. Hope that helps.
ReplyDeleteKhan had decided to go hiking alone in Kings Canyon for 4th of July weekend. He wanted to spend some time writing in nature. He had made friends and had dinner with a few other hikers the night of the 3rd and had mentioned to them that his ankle was bothering him. On the morning of the 4th of July, he was hiking on a sharp cliff near a ravine. Best account is that it appears he slipped on snow melt into a ravine of water wearing a heavy backpack. Here is one of the links from the time of the accident: http://www.allvoices.com/news/6266732-kings-canyon-park-drowning-victim-idd
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