Happily Ever After

Dear Friends & Family,

There’s nothing like reading a book you can’t put down or watching a movie you don’t want to end, but as they say, “All good things must come to an end.” It’s the timing of the end that never seems right. We always want a few more chapters in the book or a few more minutes or even a sequel to the movie. Sadly, we are not in control of when the ending happens. Whether in books, movies or life, we are at the mercy of circumstances beyond our control.

Our “and they lived happily ever after” is coming to an end. This chapter of our life is over. It is out of our control and must be accepted. There will be no sequels, only memories. The lessons Curt has taught us, the example he has been and the kindness he has shown to others will live on in our hearts and in our actions. We will never forget what an amazing man he has been or his brave battle over the last three years. He is a hero to many and an example to all. Our love for him has never wavered. The story is coming to an end and the credits are about to roll, meanwhile, we will celebrate each day, each breath and each little smile as we live out our happily ever after.

Please continue to pray for Curt’s comfort. He is sleeping a lot, hallucinating a little, losing muscle and weight but continues to “check in” to life, laugh a little and smile as always!

Love,
Cindy, Curt, Clarissa, Cayden & Corbin

Fall is here!

Corbin and Larry at the Carnival!

Clarissa enjoyed the rodeo with Chad and her Delta Zeta Sorority!

Happy Birthday Julie & Lisa! 

Fun with Mark, Kelli, Mike and panorama photos!



My hero!

Mind Over Matter

Dear Friends & Family,

I can’t remember where we were, Curt and I, but I was freezing cold, shivering to the core, teeth chattering and body shaking like a leaf. Curt told me to forget about the cold and stop shivering, “Mind over matter,” he said. He went on to tell me to control my body, don’t let it know it is cold, be stronger than the cold, mind over matter, he kept repeating. I followed his instructions and soon I stopped shivering, I was able to get over the coldness and enjoy our surroundings.

Time after time, I have seen Curt use the “mind over matter” strategy. In fact, that is pretty much how he has lived his life. Whether is was cold weather, an injury, a long line at the grocery store, or some kind of car or work trouble, he would look beyond the moment and focus on how to best get through the situation without pain or frustration.

A few days ago, I watched as Curt realized he can no longer practice “mind over matter.” The disease has taken its ugly toll on him to the point that he is now subject to heavy medications to keep him resting comfortably. After a nice weekend at The Popp’s House (photo below), we returned home to begin a new week. By Tuesday his chest and throat were heavily congested to the point that he was choking and gasping for air. Increased medications are making him more comfortable but also causing him to be very sleepy, have no appetite and spend almost all of his time in bed. My heart is breaking as I watch him slipping away. 

Thank you for your prayers for Curt, the kids, and me.

Love,
Cindy, Curt, Clarissa, Cayden & Corbin

Tender Moments

Dear Friends & Family,

There is a bright side to everything and even through this horrible disease, our family tries to focus on the good it has brought us. Our family shares many tender moments and it seems like there are more now that Curt can barely speak. There are more hugs, little smirks, winks, blinks and butterfly kisses. Corbin loves to hold Curt's head and give him a long hug, Cayden scratches Curt's head which brings a smile to Curt's face and Clarissa and Curt still share their private jokes, now, through looks and giggles. Curt and I have always been good at reading each other's expressions and now more than ever, that's our main form of communication. The world seems to stand still when each of us are interacting with Curt. We are imprinting these tender moments in our hearts forever.

We are truly blessed by our friends! It's the simple things like someone offering to run to the store for us, bringing us a meal, a home repair, a family who drops everything to spend the afternoon with us when we are feeling down. Some send cards, books, cds, emails, and texts. You will never know how isolated we feel and how much it comforts us to have the support of each of you. This has been a long hard journey and people have come and gone from our lives during this time. I truly believe that God sends us who and what we need as we need it. Meanwhile, we will cherish each moment we have left together.

Love,
Cindy, Curt, Clarissa, Cayden & Corbin



Sometimes parties just happen! We love spontaneous gatherings!

Clarissa loves country concerts!
Jason Aldean and Luke Bryan at GoFest!

7th Grade Science Camp at Catalina Island has been the highlight of each of our kids' school experiences. Curt LOVED going to Catalina with Clarissa and Cayden.
Who better to go with Corbin and show him the wonders of it all than Larry, one of our dearest friends and Corbin's bud! 



Katrina Kirtz is a great friend and support to our family (as well as each of our kids' middle school science teacher). Thanks for all your love, attention and prayers for our family.
 Thank you for taking such good care of Corbie!

Corbin had a blast with Larry! We are so thankful for all the love and care Larry has for Corbin.

Bill and Lauryn
Bill was great to share stories and traditions he had experienced with Curt
in previous years with Larry.

Nothing like a Dodger Game, Dodger Dog and Larry!

Sunday Funday at Larry & Debbie's w/ Jessica, Mark & Kelli!

 

Thank You Friends

Dear Friends & Family,

Alone in the ocean,
It's depth unknown,
Getting so tired of
Keeping my head above water.
Almost ready to give up,
Just let the disaster consume...
When I see off in the distance,
Followed by another and another,
And still they keep coming.

Little lifesavers to the rescue,
All on a mission to help,
Each launched by a heart
That truly cares.
I grab on, hold tight and say,
"Thank you"
Over and over and over again
Until the tide turns,
As it always does,
And I can be on my feet again,
Stronger because in the end

I will have survived the
Greatest storm of my life
But not without the help
Of the angels, secretly
Disguised as my friends.

~Patti Williams

We are thankful for our friends. We are thankful for your thoughts and prayers.

Love,
The Ziemke Family

Family Pool Time!

Train Your Mind

 Dear Friends & Family,

"Train your mind," my boot camp instructor says over and over. He tells us our bodies are strong and powerful we just have to train our minds to think the same way. Lately we have been running a lot in boot camp and "training my mind" to run the distance has been a challenge. I sometimes get discouraged that everything in life seems so hard right now.

For three years now, I have been "training my mind" to think about the present. Every time a thought of Curt dying crosses my mind, I sweep it out. I work hard to concentrate on the moment, on his smile, on our children and what is right in front of me. Lately it has been so hard. Right in front of me, I see a sick man, a skinny man, a man who is losing his smile. He gags and chokes constantly; on soup, on water and on his own saliva. He gasps for air as he is choking. His eyelids are heavy and his body is weak, he slouches in his wheelchair. He prefers to be in bed most of the time. His appetite is low along with his energy level. Deciphering his mumbled words is frustrating for him and us. Knowing his needs comes a bit easier but when he speaks his needs we struggle to understand him.

My stomach is in constant turmoil and the feeling of dread weighs me down. Even as I continue to "train my mind," I lose focus and begin to think about how life will be without him. Quickly I pull my head back into the present only to hear him choke and see him struggle. Life has never sucked as much as it does now. We (Curt & I) feel trapped with nowhere to go and no plans ahead. We are truly living moment to moment.

Please pray for Curt's comfort and for peace for our family.

Love,
Cindy, Curt, Clarissa, Cayden & Corbin

Happy Birthday Larry!

Corbin arranged tickets to a Dodger game for him and Larry!

Curt always has fun visiting with Steve-O and George!

Cayden spent 48 hours on his friend's dad's commercial fishing boat.
They fished, snorkeled and swam around San Clemente Island.  

Clarissa had a busy "rush week" with her Delta Zeta Sorority Sisters.

Happy Birthday Barbara, Mom, Nana!
We love you and appreciate all you do for Curt and taking care of him daily.