CR Johnson essay

C

CameronB

New member
“That feeling you get when you’re skiing, that’s worth dying for.” Knock on wood, CR died in a skiing accident on February 24, 2010. CR was skiing his home mountain of Squaw Valley. He was on a run known as the light tower when he caught an edge on an exposed rock and was taken from our world, up to the heavens. I remember the day of his death. I was at my home mountain, Stevens Pass, in the lodge taking a breather when it came on the news. Everyone was shocked. I recall some tears falling. People were walking around with their heads down. The mood just wasn’t the same. His death did not devastate me. I was bummed, but wasn’t super sad. I remember my friend and me seeing all these people, head low, spirits down, and looking at each other. We knew that this was not the way to remember such an amazing person. We walked out of that lodge, got our skis on, and hopped on the big chief chair. We then got on the double diamond chair. We got to the top and went as far as we could into big chief bowl. We stood and took a look around. I indulged in the beauty of the mountain we have grown on, reflected on the sport that we love so much. I thought about CR and what he would want us to do. I smiled. We built a 20 foot step up. We started hitting this feature, having the time of our lives. We were just hanging out back there when more skiers started to see us. Then about three more skiers came back to hangout. Then more and more skiers started to come back to big chief bowl. Within two hours there were 30 skiers and snowboarders and a bonfire. We were riding, talking, laughing, and having a great time. We could have cried because CR died, no. we smiled because the spirit of this amazing person lives on, and watches over us every day we shred pow, or kill it in the park. CR inspired me so much. I was mostly inspired after his death. I thought about the person he was. He lost everything he had. He was completely paralyzed. He had to relearn to do everything, literally, everything. He was in an induced coma for 10 days. But nothing stopped him from letting go of his love for skiing. He never gave up. He kept fighting for what he loved. I find this amazing. CR’s determination is unbelievable. He would never let go of what he loved most. CR was not a competitive person. He was more than happy to take second or third. I find this truly amazing. It doesn’t seem like that great of a thing, but it just makes me rethink so much about the sport. CR wasn’t a competitive person, simply for the fact that he did not ski for money, or fame. He skied because he loved it. He loved every single second that he had skis on. I find that sick. I don’t need to be famous to love skiing. I don’t need to get paid. All I really need is two skis and a mountain. CR taught me more then you can imagine. He taught me that if you love something, you should never let go of it, and do it no matter what it takes. At any point of CR’s life, he could have given up. But CR never did. CR’s life made me realize that, if there’s a will, there’s a way. CR found that will to keep trying. He found his way back to the top of the skiing world. CR found the positive in everything. He was such a happy person. Our world is frequently engulfed in negative energy and CR changed that. He found the good in every obstacle in his life. I look back on everything he had to overcome, and just think of what an idol he is to me. If my life turned out just like his, I wouldn’t have a problem with that. CR did something he loved to do: Ski. He changed the life of countless people and was looked up to by the skiing world, and still is, even if he is not with us anymore. He is inspiring skiers of today to ski like tomorrow will be there last day on the beautiful earth, because it may be. We never know what Mother Nature will throw at us. Who knows, the next time I go skiing; I could catch an edge and be thrown into some rocks and be sent to the heavens just like CR. Life is unpredictable, that’s why we should live like CR lived, love every second that you’re breathing, love it more than anything. Engulf the beauty of the mountains, the beauty of the world. It is a privilege that we have been blessed with such a passion to fulfill our lives. CR lived this passion to the fullest. I never took anything for granted. CR Johnson, you are truly an amazing person and everyone wishes you where still here. You are missed so much. Even though you’re gone, you will always live on, and continue to progress the world; the world we have fallen in love with. You have changed my life in numerous ways, and I thank you for that. The only way I can give back what you have given to me is continue to love to shred, and I will, till the end of my day. I know up in heaven, you are resting in peace, for peace is all you have brought to this world. Ski in peace, among the heaven of the gods, my friend. You are remembered.-One of the many skiers you inspired, and changed.
 
thats awesome, well done
i was skiing light tower the day before he died on it. the next day we were skiing over at alpine meadows and heard about it....we were sort of in shock
 
very moving, and had a good feel. but definitely not well written. its like reading a Hemmingway novel with all the run ons and the lack of long sentences.Moving, but if it's for a class, i would definitely consider reevaluating your writing style.
 
if you haven't already submitted it, I would check the word choice repetition. You have a couple instances where you used the same words a sentence after. just trying to help you out. ex. CR, and the used CR in next sentence. makes the essay sound choppy. besides that i like it d00d
 
fuck the spelling and the "choppy parts" just let it sink in. i remember hearing about that at stevens i went up the day before.

RIP CRJ
 
I'm not hating, I'm just assuming that the point of the essay is to get a good grade. I mean that is what a essay is, isn't it? If he is turning this in there are things he could change, that's all. Just tryna to help out
 
im picky but it has potential to flow better if you know what i mean, but overall good writing, enjoyed reading it

and in all seriousness, im interested to see what you recieve..i write about skiing all the time and the my teachers simply dont understand..the things they write on my papers shock me... i sometimes cant write about it, no matter how detailed i get or how intensly i express myself..they flat out dont understand what skiing truely is to me. relay your strongest feelings my white ass
 
really inspiring. words like this are what people need to hear sometimes. inspiration is always very welcome. thanks for posting.
 
I'd like to contribute to this thread also, posting it today because i'll be skiing tomorrow.

bliss

   [blis]

–noun

1.

heaven; paradise: the road to eternal bliss.

The road to recovery often includes an offset mind path, unbearable pain, and the pestering thought that happiness could be taken away forever. In this unfortunate tale to serenity Charles Russell Johnson III carves an open path to passion.

A storm of worries spread throughout the industry on December 8th, 2005. C.R. faced an extensive coma that posed the risk of not being able to enter felicity. But we should not remember this day for its negativity, but rather recognize his braveness. His guts shined that day for he was the first person to hit the cliffs. He was brought to the hospital with respect from everyone. And on that day I believe we all learned a life virtue; respect gets respect.

34 days. 34 days of therapy. 34 days of bearing pain. 34 days of feeling the pain that he may not be able to do what he loves most. Fortunately, C.R. was sent home with a feeling of perseverance; for no injury can hold himself from dropping the most fragile cliffs or tearing apart the beautiful trees.

In 2007 C.R. struggled to return to the strength he once had and decided he was unable to compete in any half-pipe events. He had taken advantage of this and used the time to enjoy the backcountry. Not only was he expanding his own boundaries, but he was setting new limits for everyone making anything with a sheet of snow on it the limits, and he was even trying to push those limits.

He was single handedly progressing our sport, but as we all know the smallest pebble on the road to recovery could pop its tires. C.R. was performing at his apex and couldn’t be stopped. On February 24th, 2010 the mountain had claimed him. On that day, it is said the only noise was the trees being brushed by a stealthy cold wind. A silence was shared by all the next day in memorization for the loss of a pioneer. It’s often hard to find the right words for this emotional moment. But as Cali P says best, we miss you.

We know you reached your bliss.

RIP



 
That's inspiring. Everyone should remember CR like that, just ski. Don't cry just ski have fun and remember to be a good person like CR. He will be missed, but never forgotten.
 
BEST NEWB POST EVER

yeah.... i was at hood..... and my buddy jason called me.... and i just walked over to the nearest skiers and told them what happend.... and it was like shit... so we got a bunch of beer and got shitty for cr.... that was our way
 
I know up in heaven, you are resting in peace, for peace is all you have brought to this world.

This line really caught my eye, really well written essay, nice work Bless C.R
 
Dropping some tears here. wow. one year ago he passed away, but still is he skiing with us everyday, in our minds in our hearts.
 
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