Holding Fast by Karen James

"Holding Fast" by Karen James gives us a view into the aftermath of tragedy. I think we all remember the story on the news and in the papers about the three climbers lost on Mount Hood in Oregon in December 2006. But, like most news stories, it came and went. I know that I would have liked to know what happened to the family. I distinctly remember asking myself what the families of the climbers must be feeling. How are they? What are they doing? Are they Christians? How are they coping with this?

For the one climber found (Kelly James), this gives us a window into her reactions, feelings, grief, and how she and her family reacted to the tragedy.

The story starts with a great sense of adventure. We find out that Kelly is an avid, experienced, and daring climber. He had climbed Ranier, Denali, and Alpamayo among others. We also learn that he came from a family that was split apart by dashed hopes. It turns out that Kelly’s dad is a star football player at the University of Houston, and is injured while trying out for the pros. The injury ends his hope of a football career. This turns out to ultimately lead to the wife leaving the husband with the children (4 boys).

The story continues when Kelly and Karen find each other. We find the depth of their love for each other, as well as the love they have for God. There is a wonderful thread of God woven throughout this entire story. We find that not only did Kelly have an avid interest in climbing, but that he also had an avid interest in God, and in climbing he felt closer to God.
As was mentioned, Kelly died on Mount Hood in a snow cave 300 feet from the peak. The other two climbers, also Christians, have never been found. The speculation is that they fell down a crevasse after they left Kelly in the snow cave to seek rescue (Kelly was injured in a fall on an ice climb).

I think the major “story behind the story” was what Karen spent the larger portion of the book on: her dealing and coping with this tragic loss. Here asking the “Why” of God was what I believe all folks would ask in this case. By telling us the whole story of her life with Kelly, the love that they shared with each other, the love they shared with their family, and the love they shared with God, Karen gives us a glimpse of how a Christian can survive tragedy, and how to grow in the Lord.

This was a wonderful book, quite an easy read, and flowed very well. I would recommend it to anyone, believer or not.