Remembering Kurt

03/14/2009

This Monday will be the four year since Kurt’s tragic accident. I think of him every day but especially on the 16th of March. I will never pretend to understand why this happened and will never stop missing him, but throughout it all I (and hopefully the readers of Kurt’s memorial website) will not lose hope for good things to happen. When bad things happen it is really important not to let them tarnish or taint one’s perspective on life. Kurt, I know, would have wanted us to keep our faith, trust God, and look forward with optimism.

As always, I bring tulips and spring flowers to his grave on this day. I find myself reminiscing looking at pictures, reading post-cards & letters he sent, touching all the things he had brought back from far-away places, and of course every time I go to his memorial web-site.

This is my first entry to the website. I wanted to renew it in order to renew memories about Kurt:

Kurt was my confidante, ally, friend, brother and wonderful Uncle to my two sons.  He was that and more, touching more lives than I will ever know. He made all people feel welcome in his life. Even if he wasn’t my brother, I truly believe the world is a better place because of him and the “gifts” he shared. He was gentle, understanding and very easy to talk to. His vast knowledge and intelligence always gave his advice credibility. His humor made you want to come back for more. His stories, however fantastic, were true. He had the integrity of a saint and loyalty some would never find in their lifetime. He helped me through some difficult times, I could always trust Kurt and felt I could tell him anything and it wouldn’t go any further. I miss him. I love him…..
He was our Indiana Jones. He loved adventure and adventure loved him. From traveling the world to trying new “dishes”, Kurt lived life to the fullest.

Many of us envy this lifestyle because we too want a full life with all the extras, yet we are too cautious. It takes courage to know what you want and go after it.  He knew what he wanted and persevered to get it. Goal driven, yet patient. He could get depressed, yet seemed to always muster up the courage to go on and finish what he started.

I am blessed with several painting he painted too. He and I shared a love for art. For my birthday one year he painted a beautiful seascape which I will treasure forever. He had the amassing ability to be artistic, yet have an engineering/computer science career. Time and time again, I witnessed his competence using these opposite perspectives/skills.

Spencer and Preston had a special relationship with him too. They adored him and always lit up when he called or came for a visit. He would send them postcards from around the world with interesting stories as well as toys unique to the countries he toured. Uncle Kurt would tuck them in at bedtime when he visited us and talk for hours about his experiences or just tell the boys stories he made up. They will miss those stories and the stories he could have told them. His tenderness with children and animals only hinted at his true nature. He was a wonderful role model to our boys and may his teachings and love live in their minds forever.  I only wish his other nephews could have known him too. But he would always ask about Derek and Geoffrey and I know Uncle Kurt loved them. 

God Bless you Kurt…..you are and will be missed terribly. 
Love Always, Your Sister Lucy