Ammon Brown

I love this picture of my brother. He would not shave throughout the ski season for warmth, and the end of the ski season was always a big day as he shaved the huge beard in stages. This picture was taken about a month before he landed hard on the snow on May 10th, 2006. He died of his injuries two days later in Reno, Nevada.

My brother was one of the funniest, most honest, blunt, and life loving people I have ever known. He was two years younger than me and the brother who I was closest to growing up (no offense, Dan). Kelsey loved to ski and although I am angry that he is no longer with us, I am happy that he was doing what he loved when he died. The doctors assured me that the last thing he remembers was flying through the air with the wind rushing through his hair. I have no doubt that he would not want to go any other way.

Regardless, I feel angry, frustrated, and incredibly sad that he is gone. For those of you who knew my brother, please take a moment to think of the last time he made you laugh so hard your kidney nearly burst. Smile, because he would have wanted you to.

We got back from Ireland a few days early. The trip was great but was cut short when I called home in response to an email to learn that my brother had been in a bad skiing accident. It looks unlikely that he will pull through. We are flying to Reno in the early morning to see the family.