After my previous post, Dave Kinney sent me a note via Facebook that was quite touching. I have his permission to share it here. Thank you Dave … for everything.
“As we hiked back from the Mexican boarder to the cars I fell far behind you guys because I couldn’t control my emotions and I was crying like a baby. For many reasons I think. The moment of finishing a long hike brought back to me strong emotions from the end of the CDT… Also the realization that this may be Cindy’s last hike… But mostly from the enormity of the love. The love of long time friends reuniting to give each other support. Sharing that love through hiking…The love of a daughter sacrificing to help her parents live their dream. But mostly the way you show your love for Cindy. I was with you guys only a few days, but I had the honor of seeing you care for Cindy in the most gentle, patient, and loving way. It was very moving for me. You and Cindy are very blessed to love each other.”
WOW. It gave me chills to read that. How beautiful that he was able to put his emotions into words (something I personally find very hard to do) and that he shared them with you and was willing to share them with all of us. The end of this remarkable journey that you made happen, Kirk, is your own Trail of Tears. We are thinking of you three so much with love and marvel and hope that your transition back will be as smooth as it can possibly be. Take a look at the trailer for the upcoming film Alive Inside. I know you will be interested. Love to all,
Jill & Brother Bob
Well said.
Very lovely, touching and heartfelt. Thanks for sharing it.
Dave, thank you for sharing that with us. That is awesome.
And Kirk, thank you for inspiring in us all what it means to truly “LOVE” someone. You are amazing. I know this has really been the culmination of a life-long journey for you and Cindy, with all of it’s ups and downs, figuratively and literally. We have shared both high and low moments, too, and I have the greatest respect for both of you, and Charissa and Serena and Noah.
I suppose your journey was never meant to be easy all the time. I know it has had moments of tremendous joy. Perhaps the best you, and any of us, can all hope for is that, when our individual and shared journeys reach there completions, those journeys, at least, were meaningful. I like to believe that this will be true for both you and Cindy, and I hope it will be true for all of us.
Love, Mike (and “En”- he says “hallo”, and to “please let the Diva know my shoes are ‘extremely dry’, but my feet are cold from skiing for her ).
Thanks, Mike … and thanks for your uplifting presence during two months of that journey.