He Knew

The summer of 2009 we vacationed at one of our favorite places, the Adirondacks in NY.

We went tubing through a really cool chasm, slept in a tent in a pine forest, hiked the breathtaking chasm, relaxed several days on the shores of Lake George, kayaked for the first time, hiked a 4,000+ mountain together and just enjoyed family time together.

Fast forward to this past summer as the kids and I spent a week together in the Adirondacks. The kids hiked a 5,000+ mountain, we swam in a creek, the kids went cliff jumping, we rented a boat on Lake George,  relaxed at the pool, drove up Whiteface Mtn, we kayaked & paddleboarded, we embraced the fresh air and natural beauty of the area.  Once again we enjoyed family time together at one of our favorite places.

While in the ADK’s this year, it occurred to me probably for the first time…… Curt knew.

We drove up Whiteface Mtn and I got to the top of mountain and was looking out over the beauty of mountains at the shores of Lake Placid  I realized……..he knew.

Back in 2009 before we knew  the horrors of dealing with Alzheimer’s, Curt had an inkling of the storm to come.  (He was diagnosed Oct. 2010)

He would pause on that 2009 ADK trip to cherish and take in the beauty of it all.  He teared up a bit while touring the chasm astounded at the beauty of it all.  He reflected on it’s majesty comparing it to heaven and telling me how he longs for that day to be with Christ in the heavenly realms.  He would remind each of us that day to slow down and reflect on all that God created, and savor it.

I on the other hand remember thinking to myself……Geez Curt aren’t you being a little dramatic, this isn’t like you to get all emotional about this stuff…….. I agreed with him in word but really didn’t give it much of a thought………until our recent trip to the Adirondacks.

 

As I stood at the peak of Whiteface Mountain looking out and embracing the vast majesty of it all, I remembered Ausable Chasm and Curt’s words of wisdom and insight.  He was tuned into hearing God’s voice and striving to make the most of his time on earth.  I on the other hand continued rushing through things, planning the next event of vacation, figuring what to eat that night for dinner, my mind was constantly going.  But I was not taking the time to pause and reflect on the things that truly matter.

Curt knew……he kept encouraging me to slow down in that lovely Chasm to pause amidst my busyness.  To keep Jesus at the forefront of it all, to see His majesty in the natural beauty, to yearn for the things of Christ.

But I would meekly protest that dinner had to be prepared around the fire, the kids had wet clothes from tubing we needed to get back to the car and change right away, it was getting cold and they were wet……yet he persisted with dawdling behind and just taking it all in.

He knew spending time with the Savior was what really mattered. He knew a storm was coming, he wasn’t totally sure what it was and that would take hold of his brain and totally transform it….but he knew his time on earth was short.  He even at one point told me he felt his life would be cut short and he was at peace with it.  I remember saying something like, “Oh honey how can you know for sure, really don’t worry about it.”  Yet he insisted that he felt an inkling that his life would be cut short and he wanted to honor Christ.

 

He knew……………………..

 

The day he was diagnosed, he was stoic, non emotional and proclaimed with confidence he was ready to meet his Savior.  He knew and was prepared for that day he would pass from this life to the next. When the diagnosis came, he was prepared and at peace.

I am thankful for the reminder of a life lived for Christ by my husband!!!  He was prepared when he received a horrible diagnosis of Alzheimer’s, he was at peace with it because he was prepared.

 

2 Corinthians 5:6-8 So we are always of good courage. We know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord, for we walk by faith, not by sight. Yes, we are of good courage, and we would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord.

 

John 11:23-26 Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again.” Martha said to him, “I know that he will rise again in the resurrection on the last day.” Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?”

Yes Curt worked to live a life for Christ.

Update on how he is doing

We moved him to a Memory Care facility on July 2 it was a rough first week or so.  But I am so thankful he seems to be adjusting.  He enjoys the staff at the facility and feels comfortable and cared for there.  I start school on Tues. this week and despite thinking the best time for Curt to move to a full time memory care facility would have been mid August…..God knew better and July 2 was the perfect time.  He is now well adjusted and I don’t have to carry that worry into the school year with me!  He is eating a little better  and I bring him plenty of Burger King, ice cream, Oreos and Snickers Ice Cream bars to keep him happy.  He still knows me as his “honey” and is always asking when I will get there! He continues to struggle with communication, it is get so much harder to understand his expressive language ( what he is saying).  Yet he seems to still have a strong receptive language ( understanding of what he has heard).  I notice him starting to interact with the other residents and that warms my heart to see him care for them.  Here is a pic of him sitting on his bed in his “man cave.”