KURT NEAL

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KURT NEAL A Talk with Kurt D..............n Neal!! We never lack in words when writing Kurt's memorial, it just sucks. At this point in our lives we almost think we could manage or live through Kurt coming home for the day of August 26th, really we don't know. Such a ridiculous comment, just as ridiculous as Kurt dying at the age of 21 years, 2 months and 24 days. We don't know how we can tolerate another minute, let alone a day without our dear old Kurt. We struggle when Bart is away or we don't see or talk to him for a short or long period of time. Our kids are our lives, they are our everything, a reason to live and the list goes on and on. Kurt, on occasion we will be asked how many kids do we have? Our reply is 'two', we do have two, Bart, our oldest and Kurt, our youngest. Kurt is living with God, that statement is accompanied by tears, maybe just our eyes fill with tears or those tears may occupy the entire center of our face, as it is now, while we are writing this, because of those words. Kurt, do you know that question, How many kids do you have? We love it when we are asked any question about you. Someone used your name instead of Dad's or Bart's, wow how priceless is that. Remember when Kurt did this? Hey, someone new says I knew Kurt Neal, what a guy or they say I was Kurt's friend. At a restaurant, airport, mall? We want to sit them down and pump them for a story or statement they have about you. If that story makes us cry, it's quite appropriate, sometimes people won't mention your name Kurt or speak their feelings as they don't want to make us cry. Cry, laugh they are all emotions, both are as important as the other. OK, what about a 24 hours call to you, we were just thinking about that, that would be amazing, we know with four Neals on the phone, there would be no moments of silence. Bart, Kurt, Dennis and Cindy having a good old talk about anything, silly, funny, serious, no subject off limits. Those moments are precious. Bart sure missed you at his social, but you know as you were there in his heart. By the way you were in and by peoples hearts at Jaclyn and Bart's wedding. We gave some people pocket size pictures of your last picture we have of you. Of course some of the females that really knew you, the real Kurt, said the will put your face, facing in, Kurt would love that. Kurt, there is another Mr. and Mrs. Neal out there, Jaclyn and Bart... now we are five, a girl, what's up with that? A sister and a daughter, pretty special for all of us. We sure love Mr. and Mrs. Neal, we just want to keep them, we are learning to let up, just a bit. Kurt, we sure miss your phone calls, yes those daily phone calls or at least every other day. We may not have had too much to say but they were special. We didn't realize how special they were at that time. Bart is very happy being married, with his career, life and of course his parents and by the way he is an Uncle', yes, Uncle Bart. Matthew and Niki are parents. I guess you and Auntie Margaret had lots of fun, remembering when. We are having a get together this year, at the house that is under construction, what does it matter as long as we help each other deal with missing you. Kurt, we all miss you, that doesn't describe it at all, we ache to hug, touch, be with you, exchange words, yes our hearts are still broken, but we are living a new normal life. Kurt, we are who we are because you touched our lives. We are better people because of you. Honest with our feelings, happy, live life to it's fullest... that's a learned behavior and each day we are learning. We don't want to end this message to you Kurt. Three years, three years without your son, brother, it's unthinkable or unliveable but we are doing it with your help and God's help. When we were writing this, the song by Eric Clapton played, Will You Remember Me?' Hi Kurt. Love Mr. and Mrs. Neal, times two, tried to put squared couldn't find it on the computer. Love you more. Sorry just about forgot about Tuffie, seven years old, we know if you were to walk up to her she would remember you. Trukie is Tuffie's shadow and that Tuffie has lots of patience.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Aug 26, 2008