On the morning of May 14 inside Denali territory Jeff and I took a helicopter to the Yanert Glacier. It was the first flight of the season and we weren't even sure until an hour before if they would be able to take us. It was just the two of us and the pilot. We flew over valleys and mountains until we reached the glacier. The helicopter landed and we got out. It was so peaceful and calm and quiet there.

The pilot gave us a warning about where not to go and then I chose a spot for Tom. I scattered him on rocks that came from the tops of mountains during avalanches. The rocks are on 500 feet deep glacial ice and it runs down and forms the Yanert River. This river just happens to flow past where Tom and I stayed in 1999. So he will become part of it and part of everything there. I know he would have loved that spot. It was a perfect moment when I knew I was doing exactly the right thing. All I could say while I was scattering him was that he would have loved it there.

Before we left, the pilot suggested I pick up some rocks as mementos. I picked up three: one for his parents, one for his sister and one for Keegan. Keegan has his perched on his bookshelf so he can see it from his bed. And he has seen the pictures many times.

And I will always have the memory of helping make Tom's wish come true.