We Climbed before the Klimb 4 Kim...

We Climbed before the Klimb 4 Kim...
1997's Climb

Friday, December 17, 2010

More Kimmy...

  On the eve of Kimmy's celebration, I'd like to share this with you...

"So as you read this note, my friends,
 I'd love stay with you all.
 Please smile when you think of me,
 my body's gone, that's all."
                                       -Dave Mustaine, Megadeth
   Ok, so how can I connect the Megadeth song I've added to the playlist and Kim?  Well, truthfully, I am the metal fan in the family, but one of the things that, early on, really bonded Kim and I, was our music.  Kim was not the like most of the girls that I knew, who liked dance music and pop tunes - she was deeper.  When we met, we both enjoyed Aerosmith, The Who, AC-DC, Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd, etc - I had never met a girl who listened to rock.  We ended up seeing dozens of concerts together and having a blast at them all - best concert?  David Bowie, who we saw at least 5 times.  We saw Pink Floyd 3 times, the last time in '94 at ASU stadium.  Most surreal - Depeche Mode (yes, we were well rounded), one we fell asleep at?  The Grateful Dead - they took 2 hours to play 3 songs.  I loved seeing shows in Philly, there were always plenty of street vendors outside selling t-shirts and soft pretzels.  We also saw Guns 'N Roses - maybe the only time Axl showed up on time.  Scariest show for Kim?  Fight - featuring Rob Halford of Judas Priest.  We were moving towards the stage and Kim yelled 'No Dave, there's a fight breaking out!  Let's go back!'...I explained that it was not a fight, but a mosh pit, but we stayed far enough back to keep Kim comfortable.  I once 'lost' a contact so far back up into my eye at a Santana concert in Philly, that I had to go to a little medical tent they had set up, where some guy used an IV bag of saline to drip into my eye and reached in with a gloved hand and scooped it out...We had a lot of fun.
   Anyway, Kim liked  'A Tout Le Monde', by Megadeth.  We had gone to school with one of their drummers, Jimmy Delgrasso, who has since dropped the 'L' and goes by Degrasso.  Tonight, over dinner at Viro's Italian Bakery, I stated that Jimmy was Liberty High School's most famous alumni.  Kim's brother, Kenny, came up with some semi-famous alumni, but none as successful as Jimmy, who has also drummed for Y&T, White Lion, Ozzy Osbourne, Suicidal Tendencies and is currently with Alice Cooper.  Kim's brother in law, Todd, graduated from Freedom, the rival high school, who has the Rock, Dwayne Johnson, as their most famous...I personally favor Degrasso over Johnson.
  
     At the dinner tonight, Janene unveiled a form of mass card that she designed for tomorrow and the eulogy for Kimmy...her sister's Kristie and Andrea were a big help with both - they've worked hard to make Kimmy's day special.  Brian brought along several large posters he designed with photos of Kim - they are beautiful.  He really captured Kim and all that she was.  Kenny and I broke down - he was able to bring me back around pretty quickly - it's hard to get my arms around this, and I look to Kim for guidance and inspiration - she would tell me, look at all of those wonderful times we had together...and smile!  Brian has also worked hard on the slide show presentation for tomorrow.  My voice is already gone from tonight.  Vito and Rosa fed our entire east coast family, and our southwest family - all of whom have been so helpful.

      One more thing...our first Christmas together, back in 1976, I proudly presented Kimmy with a sterling silver necklace with a charm of a little girl and little boy kissing...she still has it!  I bought it at the Westgate Mall, where we first met.

       Hope to see you all tomorrow to celebrate Kimmy - please know that the tears that you see will be ones of joy, for the 33 years that I was blessed to have known Kim and for all of the incredible times we shared.  I cherish them all...
  
          Love,
                 Dave
"Love begins at home, and it is not how much we do...but how much love we put in that action"
                                                                                            -Mother Teresa
Thanks Jodi for this quote - I always thought Kimmy was our Mother Teresa of the desert!

6 comments:

  1. Wow, again, why does it feel like YOU are the one keeping us all afloat? Thanks for sharing those memories of Kim! I LOVE that she was into rock! Great way to start out today! We'll be there today...wouldn't miss it.

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  2. I love this post, Dave! I had no idea that Kim was as much into the hardcore music that you were. I was trying hard yesterday to figure out the Dave Mustaine connection to Kim and now I know! I too grew up loving all the music you mentioned and going to concents. Please keep these memories coming, we are enjoying them so. We are looking forward to Kim's celebration today!

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  3. Dave - Your inner strength is amazing! In a time of deep loss, YOU continue to inspire us all to be better people. Thank you for continuing to open your heart and share your stories with us.

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  4. Dave, our hearts and thoughts are with you and the children today as you celebrate Kimmy! When I reflect on my memories of being with you and Kim, I see--in my mind's eye--her sparkling eyes; her tinkling laughter; her joy of living and giving. I recall you two bringing the ingredients for the Italian sodas at our gathering at the pool on one occasion; another time at Easter--the plastic eggs with scripture tucked inside (I still have one of them.) Kim radiated God's love--it was such a blessing to be with each of you. She is/was an angel--truly! We are heartbroken! Only faith keeps me from despairing! I must and will continue to honor the Lord in ALL things! A scripture so very meaningful to me this year has been Psalm 50:15, "TRUST ME IN YOUR TIMES OF TROUBLE AND I WILL RESCUE YOU, AND YOU WILL GIVE ME GLORY!" So, in ALL things I choose to give Him glory! God Bless You Richly! Love, Duane & Joyce Funk

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  5. Greetings from heaven" she still hears your songs, she still see the lights, she still feels your love on those cool wintry nights. she still shares your hopes and all of your cares she'll even remind you to please say your prayers. she just wants to tell you, you still make her proud. You stand head and shoulders above all the crowd. Keep trying each moment to stay in his grace. she went there before you to help set your place. You dont have to be perfect all of the time he forgives you the slip if u continue to climb.To her family and friends, please be thankful today she is still close beside you in a new special way she loves you all dearly, so dont shed a tear....Because she's Spending Christmas with Jesus this year!!

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  6. I know it has been several days since you wrote this but my internet has been down. This is a part of Kim I didn't know. I never played rock around her because I figured her to be more of an 80's pop or country, boy was I wrong. I too, growing up use to listen to rock N' roll. My Brother was country and my mother was and oldies and I was rock and pop. I have mellowed out some now that I am older. I like all music in moderations and so does Tim. I do believe music brings couples closer.

    We wish we could have been there with you all in person today. Even tho we are miles away, you all were close to our heart, thoughts and prayers.
    Love Tim, Karene, TJ, and Morgan

    "May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and gave everlasting comfort and good hope by means of undeserved kindness comfort your hearts and make you firm in every good deed and word." 2 Thes 2:16-17

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