We Climbed before the Klimb 4 Kim...

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

Thursday, December 13, 2012

A Dream within a Dream



                 We had a dream...to live, to travel.  Laugh.  Share.  We dreamed that we would live together until we were old and gray.  Helping each other through each day.  That is how we approached things.  We were a team and, together, we could do anything.

                   The year went fast, much rockier that last year.  Much more challenging.  And painful.  Two years ago, I prayed for a Christmas miracle- it was the feast day of Our Lady of Guadalupe, after all.  One of my all time favorite stories, in which Juan Diego, is visited by Jesus' mother, Mary, while on the way to care for a sick uncle.  She asks him to go to the bishop, and ask him to build a church on the site where they are talking.  Juan goes to the bishop, but he does not believe.  Mary sends him back with a sign, roses carried in Juan's tunic.  It was winter, and these flowers were not seen in this area, so the bishop began to wonder...when Juan puts the flowers down, an image of the Lady of Guadalupe has been imprinted upon his tunic.  And, the church was built!  She is believed to have performed many miracles in Mexico, especially around this time of year...

                   What I remember from that night, is too much to put in print - the trouble leading up to the 911 call is seared into my memory...and the strobing red and blue lights, bathing our once serene neighborhood in an eerie glow.
                    The last thing I remember from 12/13/10, is, being in a pool of water with Kim...the water a deep, vibrant blue...so clear, I could make out every detail of Kim's beautiful features.  She was slowly sinking down, while I was slowly floating up.
                    She reached out to me - I can't read the expression on her face - resignation?  Alarm?  Peace?   I struggled to stop my ascent, stretching out my left hand to grab her reaching arm...our fingers lightly touching...and then, I had her - for a moment.  Eyes locking, Kim looking deep inside, telling me a million things - I'm trying desperately to hold on, but, my grip - the water - was loosening...
                   She tried to tell me - everything, but, she had to go....

                   Some of the people that I've talked to, told me, that for them, the second anniversary was the hardest.  I've tried to stay level for the bambini - but they know.  I've apologized to them so many times over the last few days...they are so supportive.

                   Tonight, we popped in Inception.  I think that this is one of Leonardo Decaprio's finest movies.  Dealing with dreams within dreams within dreams.



                    "Why do you do this to yourself?"

                     "So I can dream."

                      "Why is it so important to dream?"

                      "Because in my dreams we are still together..."

                       And for once, our hero, fighting all of the odds, all of the bad guys, surviving impossible dangers - cannot save the girl...but, reunites with his children.
                   I am so thankful that we had our children.  I couldn't save the girl either, but, I am so blessed - these little guys have worked so hard - and, they still have their rough days, but who can blame them?  I'm so proud of them and appreciative for what Kim built.




 
Albuquerque visiting my sister, Lauren and her husband Jason. They are now back in PA with four children!  They took us all over when we visited - beautiful place.  Here, we are at the petroglyph forest.

 
On the way back, we were driving a desolate stretch of Rt 40, when Kim suddenly yells "Pull over!".  I had no idea what was wrong - Cody?  Her stomach?  "What Kim?"  "I need to get one of those!"  she was already getting out of the car and was pointing to this soaptree yucca.
"I can use it to make a nice decoration for our home!"  She was as animated and excited as you've ever seen Kim - especially when she had a neat idea.  I wasn't going to try to stop her, but couldn't resist yelling at her as she went about her business "POACHER!  I'm calling the cops!!!"



                               Look at that laughing face!!  She ended up getting a huge Mexican style clay floor vase for this stalk and dressed it up with other 'findings' - it looked incredible in our entryway.

 
Visiting my sister, Cheri, when she lived in Muskogee, OK.  Her kids, Anthony and Jackie and their dog, Nittany are in this shot. And, of course, our Cajun girl.
 



 
Natalie must have taken the shot, since she joins us in this photo

 
Here's one from my NASCAR days, Kim so supportive!
 
Back to the beach!
 
 
Cody and his Mama at Beach Haven, Long Beach Island, NJ

 
And with Pop and Nana at LBI
 
 
Angie and I will be heading to a Mass in Kim's honor first thing in the morning.  Angie set up the memorial Mass for Kimmy...and has it set for next year already, too...
 
 
 
Niki and Kim.  These two look like sisters - Kim's niece had come out to visit about 17 years ago and we took her to the Grand Canyon.  Niki has become an amazing person, just like her Aunt Kim!
 
These next two were from when Kim and I were 18...

 
Hard to believe it was a life time ago.  We stopped at a picnic on our way for Kim's first visit to Shippensburg University, where I'd be starting another semester of college.

 
This one was taken at the house I grew up in.  We'd spend hours in the t.v. room, laying together on the couch, watching movies...
 
...I just love Kim's smile...
 
 
And miss it so much...
 
3-1-65 to 12-13-10




 

5 comments:

  1. Dave,
    Lifting you and the "bambini" up in prayer, especially today while we honor Kim's passing to eternal glory.

    Here are some of my favorite Bible verses and I hope & pray that they will bring you comfort.

    We have the assurance of meeting her again in Glory land some day.

    Psalm 34:18
    The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.

    Psalm 73:26
    My flesh and my heart may fail, But God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.

    Revelation 21:4
    He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away."

    Psalms 116:15 Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints.

    Thessalonians 4:13 But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope.


    Love to you all,
    Eva



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  2. A beautiful tribute and blog post. Thinking about you all today - and hope the day is as peaceful as possible.

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  3. Dave,
    You don't know me, and I don't really know you. I can't at this moment even remember how I managed to stumble onto this blog. I think I was looking up a recipe. My search put me onto a more recent blog entry of yours and it took me a while to figure out what this blog was about and who was writing it. I went back and forth for a while trying to sort out what happened when I realized you spoke of your wife in the past tense. I didn't have time to read everything but your story was so moving I just had to find out what happened and and I just realized that the 2nd anniversary of your wife's passing was yesterday. My heart breaks for you, and I haven't been able to hold back the tears since I started reading about your journey through your wife's illness.
    I am so sorry for your loss.
    I see so much of what could easily be my life in your experiences. I too, have 3 beautiful children and a husband I love with everything in me. We have known each other since I was 12 and I couldn't even begin to imagine my life without him.
    I can only begin to imagine how difficult it must be. Words are just not adequate. But I want you to know that your journalling / blogging is so inspirational. It has made me appreciate today what I have, so much more than I ever have before.
    I'm going to hug my two oldest the moment they get home from school, and greet my hubby with a great kiss the moment he walks in the door tonight and hang on for longer than necessary. We just don't know how much time we have with those we love, and that's the hardest part of being on this side of heaven I think.
    I am praying for you and your kids, that the Lord will fill you with a peace that passes all understanding even in this, your time of sorrow.
    Again, I don't know you but it's evident from your writing, how strong your love is for your late wife and your kids. You are an incredible person (which probably sound odd from a complete stranger) but some things you can tell from a blog like this. An incredible husband and father, and your strength and love are truly inspiring.
    So know that even complete strangers are being moved & inspired by your words. I will pray for your family, knowing that God has seen your tears and will never leave you. I pray he comforts you and the kids today.

    Blessings,
    Sarah

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  4. Thank you Eva, Jesse and Sarah - your kind words keep me going. I appreciate you reading Kim's blog and sharing our stories - and thanks for the motivational comments!!

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  5. Praying for you and yours, Dave. Sarah's post just moved me to tears. God is using you mightily,Dave. She is right that you are an inspiration and my heart aches to see you and the kids hurting, but you have all been so brave and I am so thankful that you have trust in the Lord to carry you through. It is a privilege to share in your stories and to see how you bravehearts are pulling through. Love to you all.

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