Spring has sprung and the flutter of cherry blossom petals has replaced the twinkle of snow. While this is a welcome time for most, we Wunders mourn the departure of winter, as hockey season sadly comes to a close.
Hockey has been, and is now more than ever, a very important part of our lives. As parents, Kurt and I have a passion to share with our children. Some of our fondest memories are playing with (and against) them. One of our greatest joys as parents is to watch our children compete as athletes. (It also doesn’t hurt that they’re good at it- certainly better than we are!) When Kurt was diagnosed with cancer and awaiting surgery, our son Spencer brought a hockey puck to the hospital for his dad. Yes, Kurt was concerned about what would come for all of us, but let’s face it- he was also worried that he wouldn’t be able to coach or play hockey again. But, he wouldn’t be stopped and while sad to see that yet again, the illusive Rizzo Rink 11-14-year-old championship title was not to go to his team, he had a team. He did it, even when he was nauseous, weak and tired. He even stepped on the ice to play himself. A few months ago, we received an email from a parent of a child I had taught and who Kurt, my children and I coached at Rizzo Rink, here in Philadelphia. If you knew this former player of Kurt’s, you wouldn’t be surprised by the tenacious, never give up attitude of his shown below. It was so kind of them to share the following (unedited) essay written by amazing Brendan: I will always remember my hockey coach. I will remember how great of a coach he was to me, how he believed in me and how he and his family instilled positivity into me. As good a coach as he was, he was even a better person. Now he is suffering through cancer and has just received four rounds of kimmotherapy. I will give the advice to my former hockey coach for two years to believe in himself, just like he believed in me. It was very sad when I found out Coach Kurt was diagnosed with cancer. Just like he supported me on and off the ice when he coached me and I needed it, I will support him when his health isn’t going his way, like right now. I will tell him to believe in himself that he will overcome cancer, and he will recover really quickly. I believe you must believe in yourself to overcome tough situations and my prayers are going to Coach Kurt that he will this overcome cancer extremely quick. In conclusion, I want to give the advice to my former hockey coach. To believe in himself the way he believed in me. When he was coaching me, the biggest message he instilled in me was the power of positivity. Now attempting to overcome cancer, he will need all the mental strength to believe in himself, and to use all of the power of positivity he has. But I believe in him, just like he believed in me. Thank you, Brendan for your strength, support, advice and for believing in the power of positivity. Thank you, Lori, for your love, the love of your family and for allowing us to share these powerful words with our community.
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AuthorKurt, Margo, Georgia and Spencer share their thoughts about living with and loving someone with brain cancer. Archives
April 2019
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