In Memoriam: Kyle

Just a couple posts ago I wrote about the unimaginable loss of a child.  This week, Chris' family has experienced such a loss.

Chris' nephew, Kyle, passed away on Tuesday at the tender age of 19.

 

Admittedly, most of the pictures I have been able to scrounge up are several years old. 

 

 

There is a box still packed away somewhere with tons of pictures.  I hope to find that soon so I can share them with Kyle's parents.

 

 

Kyle was a bit of a clown.  Liked to make people laugh.  He also loved the Redskins and I remember him talking several times about playing professional football when he grew up.  The more I think about it, I can honestly say that he always seemed to be trying to get people to smile, even if he was being a trouble maker in the process.  Even if someone was ragging on him about something personal(*cough* wearing his pants down low*coughcough*)he took it in stride and tried to turn it into something funny.

 

Kyle also has an older brother, Teddy, and a younger sister, Hannah, as well as step and half siblings from both parents.  It really seems that they all felt like one big family - regardless of parentage. For a couple of the Christmas or New Years celebrations at Chris' parents house they would bring their step sister along and Kyle spent a great deal of time with Sophia (the baby above) in the last couple years.  I am happy that they all have those relationships and all got to spend the time with Kyle that they did.

 

 

This is, by far, our favorite picture of the three of them (admittedly, it is almost always "TeddyKyleandHannah" - you can't just refer to one without thinking of the other two).  We've got it in a frame with other family photos.  I need to find a good place to hang them in this new house.  Hard to believe that was 11 years ago.  Wow.  I just looked closer at the date.  Almost 11 years, to the day, before his death.

 

Chris loves all his nephews and nieces immensely.  He has lots of fond memories with these guys.  Sadly, as often happens, as he got older he didn't see them nearly as much.  Of course, as several of us are familiar with, this is also a common thing when marriages end and new ones begin.  That doesn't mean he didn't think of them and champion for them just as much as he would any of his other nephews or nieces.

 

One of my first real memories of "TeddyKyleandHannah" was when I went to Chris' parent's house for Thanksgiving when we were dating.  His brother was there with the kids.  We all went for a walk through the "woods" with the kids before dinner.  I really enjoyed that.

 

 

Chris and I also met up with them at a cabin, Herrington Manor I believe, at Deep Creek Lake one winter for some fun in the snow.  We did lots of sledding.  I have some fun pictures of Chris riding with Kyle on a hay bale, catching air on a bump.

 

 

Eventually, we mainly only saw them on Holidays.  Thankfully, we did see Kyle for the Holidays before our move out to Idaho.  He seemed to have been having a rough patch the last of couple years.  We still hoped for the best for him.  It appears that, ultimately, sleep apnea, high blood pressure, an enlarged heart and pneumonia played a role in his death.  At 19.  A reminder that tomorrow isn't promised.  I have been hugging and kissing and playing with the kids a bit more this week.

 

Today, Kyle is being laid to rest.  Chris was able to do a quick trip out to attend the wake yesterday.  He got back midday today.  His work was awesome and he was able to get time off and we've now pretty much used all our airline miles for the year, but that is what they are there for.  I was unable to make the trip out with the kids but look forward to getting together with everyone when I am out there in a couple weeks. 

 

Little Lady drew two pictures for Chris to deliver to Kyle.  The other day, when I was explaining to her that Papa was going to be gone a couple days she said,"Kyle is in the sky. He is with me. He can protect me from bears." So, Kyle is now officially on bear duty.

 

Rest in Peace, Kyle.  Our prayers are with you and your family.  Tody and Heather, I can't imagine the pain you are going through and hope that you find faith and comfort during this difficult time.  Know that we will keep his memory alive for our children.

 

Please say a prayer in memoriam.  Thank you.

 .

Memorial Weekend Exploring

We were able to do some exploring over Memorial day weekend. We did the Saturday night mass so we could start out first thing Sunday morning - so of course we didn't leave 'till almost noon. Our first destination was only and hour and a half away though, so there was still plenty of time.

First stop:  Malad Gorge.

 



 

Isn't that awesome?  You're just driving on the highway and, oh - look at that.  I remember seeing a glimpse of it on our drive out here, but hadn't realized how utterly awesome (and terrifying) it was when we drove over it.

 

 

There was a bridge to go over to the other side.  I've realized I definitely have some height issues.  Having children has given me a touch of anxiety.  I am too much of a cause and effect person and always think things through to the possible conclusions and with kids and heights - that isn't good.  Or maybe it is - at least for their safety.

 

 

I still get a touch of anxiety even looking at pictures with them that close to the edge.

 

 

It wasn't really a huge park, but a nice little visit.  After seeing the gorge we drove along and it takes you all along the rim of it and to other neat little areas.

 

 

We came across this little gem too.  It felt very Hawaii like.  There were birds swooping down there, you could hear the waterfall pounding on the rocks and every now and then the wind would blow just right so you get a spray of mist.  Very relaxing.  Well, somewhat relaxing.  Probably more relaxing if you didn't have a kid and dog with you and weren't responsible for the lives of others.

 

 

We decided it was the perfect spot to eat the picnic we brought with us.

 

 

These are the moments that also remind us of how good of a listener Little Lady is.  She isn't a runner and listened when we would tell her to stop or not get any closer to the edge.  We try to figure out the balance of explaining what can happen so she knows the dangers and trying to make sure we don't scare the poop out of her.  Although, next to stuff like this, I think a little fear is a good thing.  Did I mention there is a huge sign when you enter the park saying to keep control of your kids?  I think Little Man will have to be in a carrier for these kinds of trips for a loooooooooooooooooooooooooooong time.  Like, 'till he is 13 or something.

 

We then piled back into the car and drove another 1.5 hrs to our next destination while the kids napped (perfect timing). 

 

Next stop:  Bruneau Dunes.

 

Yup, we've got those.  Pretty neat, huh?

 

 

We parked in a spot where there was a little lake.  See the little pointy peak on the right hand side of that dune?  We could see people trekking up there.  THAT would be a workout.

 

 

We actually spent the first 15 minutes sitting in the car as a storm blew through, but it then cleared up and we were able to explore.  We headed out to do some dune climbing.

 

 

It was nice to get our toes in the sand.  Perfect temperature too.  Once temps get up to the 90's or 100's I don't think that would be a very enjoyable trip.

 

 

We brought the Ziffy Whomper with us for her to do some dune sledding.  It was used more for pulling her up than for going down.

 

 

THIS girl had a great time.  She LOVED climbing up and down the dunes.

 

 

We also then had a fun perch to look around.

 

 

We then hung around the lake so she could play a bit.

 

 

Papa tried teaching her how to skip stones.  Someday. :)

 

It was good to see them get to spend lots of time together.  He really stresses about not getting much time with them.  I hope she remembers this stuff and the fun things they get to do rather than all the times he is in class or has to study when she wants to play.

We took lots more pictures on our camera but, in all honesty, if I wait 'till I get around to uploading them on the computer I'll never get this posted.  At this point I am using a blogger application on my phone to upload the pictures (while I'm nursing or something.  Yay, multitasking!) and then typing this up on the computer in the wee hours of the morning, after my 5am workout and after Little Man has gone back down for a little extra sleep.  Maybe I'll do a post someday with just nice fun pictures.  Maybe.  Someday.

 

Papa

Let's talk about Papa for a bit.  Who is Papa?

 

Well,

 

 

 

He is a worker.  He typically works at least ten hours a day, at least forty hours a week.  He is moving non stop, on his feet all day.

 

 

After that he will still have the energy to carry his children around, however they want.

 

He is an explorer.  Coming out on his own to find a job and then exploring our new home before we made the big move.

 

He likes to make his own path, but is happy to come across the paths of others now and then.

 

He is a provider.  He relishes in being able to provide for and take care of his family,

 

in whatever way he can,

 

 

enabling me to be home with the bambinos.

 

 

He is a caretaker.  Tending to any bumps or bruises.

 

Helping us get through tough spots.

 

He is a proud Papa,

 

and a loving Papa.

 

He is a protector.

 

 

He will always be willing to hold their hand,

 

 

 

or carry them on his back.

 

He is a son, who hopes his parents are proud of him.  He wants his Father to be proud of him, and know that he has inspired him and driven him and helped make him the person he is today.

 

 

He is a handy man.  Helping me when I need it and  even when I don't.

 

He is a teacher.

 

 

Whether it is teaching how to throw rocks

 

 

make ice cream

 

 

or checking out a frog - he does it all with excitement.

 

 

He is a sherpa.

 

 

He will gladly trek up any hill or mountain for his kiddos.

 

 

He is an outdoors man.  He loves sharing this love with his children and wife.

 

Enjoying Daddy-Daughter dates in the great outdoors.

 

Passing on his love of it to the next generation.

 

 

On top of ALL of that - he is also a student.  Spending countless hours in class and doing schoolwork.  Missing out on lots of adventures with us, but busting his tail for our future.  And any time that he isn't working, studying or sleeping?  He spends it with us.

 

Thank you Papa.  We love you,

 

 

 

and the man that helped make you who you are today.