Where did I meet Kristi?

Kristi was my little sister, I was five when she came home from the hospital in Abilene, TX, where all three of us siblings got our start. I can’t remember that event unfortunately but I am certain I was as delighted as any big brother would have been. We soon moved to New England and took up residence in Wilbraham, MA. We stayed there until I graduated from High School then our parents moved us up to Lancaster, NH, following the Mother Earth News movement - a failed experiment. We parted ways a year or so later when the family moved to Brookings, OR, and I stayed put with my new bride.

Kristi, my little sister was bigger than life in so many ways. An undaunted spirit so creative, loving, efficient, and entrepreneurial. I loved seeing the mama bear emerge in her,  protecting her boys and her grand daughters through the years  

In reminiscing across the last six decades there are so many memories mostly as adults it turns out. One that was super special for us was in June 2010 for our son, Jimmy’s wedding. Kristi and Dan came to visit us in Montana, their first time visiting this The Big Sky state.  It was a beautiful day and they got to hold Zeike when he was just an infant. Now he is a strapping 14-year old young man. 

During that trip I introduced Kristi and Dan to Glacier National Park. Kristi got to experience so many amazing things as we headed up the Going-to-the Sun Road toward the Continental Divide. Her first experience was a stop at Lake McDonald Lodge where she kept looking up and up and stood with her mouth agape at the towering peaks right above our heads. It blew her away. Second, as we approached the Loop, a tiny cub-of-the year black bear wandered out into the road in front of us. It was balling so loud for mama we could hear it through the windows. He was so cute. Obviously we stayed put in the car because mama bear was close by. Next was our stop at the top, at Logan Pass. The day was sunny and beautiful as we started the short hike to Hidden Lake Overlook. We saw mountain goats still with their thick winter coats. Then on the way back a storm rolled in and it soon started grapple snowing on us (I call it styro-snow). Before long we were kicking little beads of snow as it accumulated. Kristi was wearing open-toed sandals and soon her toes were freezing. I pulled my lightweight parka out of my backpack for her as she was wearing a tank top.  I chuckled on the way back to the car because the mountains are so finicky weather-wise and Kristi the tourist got caught with her shoes off 🤪. 

We had so much fun with them and they blessed our home richly.  I love you, Kristi. Can’t way to join you in heaven. 

Kristi is my younger sister by 16 months.  We grew up together and shared a lot of fun times and experiences as brother and sister should.  One of our favorite memories is visiting our grandparents.  Grandpa would give us a quarter to go to the general store down the street and buy penny candy.  I still have fond memories of us both heading down there with giant smiles on our face.  As a kid, who can resist candy.  Other memories of us exploring the brook that flowed under the porch below our grandparents house also included our older brother, Jim.  I used to love trying to catch the big crayfish with big claws.  She thought I was crazy because she said, "wait until you get pinched."  It turns out I did and she was right, OUCH!

Anyway, my most recent memory will always remain dear to my heart when I held her hand about a month before her passing.  I whispered into her ear, "It's OK Kristi, Dad is waiting for you in heaven with all your beautiful cats and horses.  If you can take a moment of your time exploring God's universe, can you find Tigre (my soulmate cat that died in 2023) and give him a big hug for me."  She smiled and nodded her head even though she was in great pain.  We all thought she might pass that day.  She lived another month beyond that moment and for most of that time she was free of the pain.  Her wish was to live free of pain through Thanksgiving and Christmas so her family could spend the time with her.  God granted this wish and as she said, "it is a miracle." Kristi you will be missed and from the bottom of my heart I say this, "Always loved and never forgotten."

I'm heartbroken to hear this sad news.

Mama Wolfie welcomed me into her home without hesitation, even though I'd come from the other side of the world and didn't even know me. She opened her home and her heart to me, and treated me with rare kindness. I quickly felt like part of her family, a precious feeling I'll never forget. She was the embodiment of kindness and joy, a luminous person who had the gift of warming the souls around her.

Her memory will always be engraved in my heart. My thoughts are with her family at this difficult time. May her soul rest in peace and may the sweetness of her love continue to enlighten those who knew her ❤️

❤️

My heart breaks for you all.

I don’t have words to express. All I can say is that the amount of time I got to know her she was a wonderful person and I know she’s in heaven smiling down at everyone. May she rest in peace and may God Comfort you all!🙏🏼