“A Big Adventure” Traveling While Disabled (Part 6):

Last week, I shared an update about our missing Iowa community member, Mary Anne Falk. Sadly, there’s no new information to share. The police continue to investigate and are working hard to find her. I will keep you posted if there’s any significant change. Thank you all for your kindness and prayers for Mary Anne.

This week, I want to talk about celebrating our birthdays while we’re abroad. Kurt and I are Pisces, along with some family and friends. March is always a busy month for celebrations. Neither of us really knew what to expect, but I’d say that it’s not much different. We enjoyed phone calls, texts, emails, and social media messages wishing us a happy birthday, as usual. Kurt’s caregiver brought us cakes for each of our birthdays. It has been a joyful time of celebration with old friends over the phone and on social media, as well as with new friends here in person. Kurt was thrilled when two of his siblings and a nephew video-called him (Thanks, Marcia & Donald, Eric, & Leon). We just want to say how grateful we are for all of you for celebrating another trip around the sun with us!!

One of our birthday cakes with Jonatan, Kurt’s caregiver.

Reflecting on Kurt’s journey after his strokes and my close call with a tumor last year, we feel grateful for the miracle of life, prayers, and support from our friends and family. I mentioned back in 2023 that it was Kurt’s re-birthday because, after five strokes, he was alive to celebrate that year. Now, three years later, he is still here, still recovering, and embarking on a big adventure by coming to Ecuador. He exemplifies staying determined to live as fully as possible despite the trials he has faced.

We’ve had a small setback with his health, but we’re getting excellent medical care here in Cuenca and couldn’t be more thankful. We hope that once Kurt feels better, we’ll have more adventures in Cuenca to share here.

It’s really important to take time to celebrate relationships, memories, and each milestone our loved ones reach on their journey. I want to share some photos celebrating Kurt’s life over the past 7 years. Enjoy!

Birthday in 2019—Marcia, Kurt’s sister, made us a Mint Chocolate cake (Kurt’s favorite)

Kurt and I in 2020, planting a river birch for our anniversary

2022 after Kurt’s strokes

Kurt learned to stand, walk, and talk again at rehab.

By December 2022, he learned to smile again.

Life is different but still precious!

Remember to savor the good times; they make the harder times easier to bear and deepen your love for each other.

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