So I left Austin last Wednesday, it is 104 degrees, and spent a full twelve hours in route to Ireland where the temperature (upon my arrival) is a cool 66 degrees.
I land early in the morning to a true Irish welcome. My driver awaits to bring me to the hotel, it has just rained, and it is partly cloudy with a beautiful rainbow filling the sky. As the plane made its approach into Shannon (west coast of Ireland) the hills were an emerald green with visible property demarcation lines created by hedges planted at the turn of the century. It was remarkable.

I was whisked away to a magical hotel in a town called Adare. The village (and golf course – Adare Manor - http://www.adaregolfclub.com/) is home to the Irish Open Golf Championships. Adare is a medieval town located near Limerick Ireland. Yes, this is the town that the poem is named after.

There once was a man from Nantucket… Ok, so I won’t continue, but I am sure you can fill in the rest.

I spent most of my time in meetings, but I did get to explore around a little and enjoy a wonderful game of golf on a world-class course. It rained the majority of the time I was there, but it certainly did not stop me from enjoying a pint (or two) of Guinness.

King John’s island is a perfectly intact, medieval fortress that sits in the midst of Limerick. I took in the sites and did some shopping. It was a quaint city with pubs on every corner, but the thing that I most enjoyed about Ireland was its people. The people are funny, warm and really enjoy life. The pubs were also a great experience. There was live music until all hours, football or rugby playing on the tele, and a great conversation to be had with the locals.

I have to say that I am ecstatic that my company has a manufacturing plant in Ireland… It will prove to be my lucky charm (for my next trip).

My wife and I just returned from a wonderful vacation on Vancouver Island. We spent three days at Tigh-Na-Mara Hotel and Spa “up-island” with my dad. It was a really nice time and the weather was beautiful. I was glad that Rena and I could spend some quality time with my dad. He is going through some tough stuff right now and it was great that we got some bonding time together.

We took a walk a mile out into the sand while it was low tide. We collected sand dollars, played with hermit crabs, and watched my father run out to the ocean like a child - that was awesome. It was refreshing to be in the clean air and wide open spaces. The mountains were as clear as a bell and Parksville now has a Starbuck’s, so all was right with the world – my dad cannot go a day without Garry’s drink - the grande, green tea frappachino, sugar free vanilla in place of melon, no whip, extra thick, dome lid… COMEDY!!!

Anyway, we had a new convertible Chrysler Sebring, it looks great, but what a piece of junk. Bad design and the trunk space was nonexistent… but I digress. The important point is that I made a VERY smart choice in listening to my wife, “upgrade the car to a convertible” she said. Great idea. The weather was perfect for the entire time we were there. It was so perfect that we were able to take our first helicopter ride. What a rush. We looped around snow capped mountain tops, looked down on old growth forests, and saw some active volcanoes.

We drove north of Parksville about 30 minutes to the Cathedral Forrest. It was completely unbelievable. These trees are set on a mountain lake, and these massive giants that have been untouched for a millennium. We toured past a little village (called Coombs) that had grass growing on the roofs of its buildings and goats live on the roofs eating the grass - quite a scene.

We toured around these little villages drinking in the peace and beauty and finally made our way to Victoria.

My cousin Dallas, I know – crazy, and his wife bought their first home and have been working non-stop to have it ready for our arrival. They have done an amazing job and we are very happy for them. Sabrina is a doll and an amazing wife. She cooked three meals a day for us and made us feel like royalty. Per usual, the family took turns at Jack and Bev’s home, Sherry and Rolf’s and Dallas and Sabrina’s. It was a blast running around. The days we filled with tours of the inner harbor, poker championships, bocce ball and family feasts. Sherry made an insane Thai dinner that we loved.

There are 2 new babies on the way, the DeGeest clan is building a new home (that is going to be awesome) and everyone is gainfully employed and working hard. Things are all good.

There are new pictures posted, so please enjoy…

Family is a wonderful thing. But it is really special when you can call your family friends.

Dear Dallas, This is Grady&Susan Allen, this is Hilda’s brother&sister-in-law in Tennessee, I’m sorry to hear about your Mother, I will keep her in my prayers. I’ve have had cancer too, had bladder and cervical cancer, had chemo and radiation too, it’s been 6 years ago and I would’nt had made it if it had’nt been for Grady,he was there every minute taking care of me and my 2 girls. We are doing fine. I hope you are feeling better. Tell the Hilda and Rena that Grady went and got Grandma for Mother’s Day. My daughter Taylor which is 12 was sitting at the table making Play-doh cookies, she asked me for a plate to put the cookies on, went to Grandma and would you like some cookies,”Grandma said,”Yes”, low and behold she ate some cookies, Grandma come in the kitchen and said too me them cookies was AWLFUL!!!! I THOUGHT I WAS GOING TO FALL OVER LAUGHING!!! I thought you would like that little story. Well, it’s getting late talk to all of you later, take care and God Bless! Love, Grady&Susan and girls

Our journey to Arlington National Cemetery for Dad’s inurnment was at the height of rush hour; yet, the morning’s arrival was beautiful and peaceful. The fresh morning dew was still glistening on the freshly cut grass, and the rows of graves lay quiet. Military servicemen and women made their way around the base and to their required stations, and we meditated on the somber and peaceful atmosphere that Arlington presented for us and the thousands that had gone before.

Our loving family members and dear friends made their way through the security checkpoints and through hours of traffic to the Old Post Chapel for Dad’s service. People travelled in from all over the country to pay their respects to Charles Wendell Curtis, 2nd Lieutenant Army Air Core (the Air Force prior to July 1947), loving husband, wonderful father, and close friend.

Dad received full military honors during his ceremony today. After a beautiful early morning service, the pall bearers delivered Dad’s urn to the awaiting Air Force caisson. Six beautiful appaloosa horses were awaiting his urn for his last ride to its final resting place. The Air Force Honor Guard and Band played the Battle Hymn of the Republic and God Bless America while the entire procession made its way from the chapel to the Columbarium. The pall bearers transferred Dad to a ceremonial stand where the flag ceremony commenced and Taps was played during a 21 Gun Salute – 7 Soldiers, 3 rounds of synchronized firing.

The tears were flowing down my face as I looked out into the cemetery’s field, a warm breeze blowing back upon me, and the sound of the bugle in my ears. Thousands of grave markers lined the landscape and the Air Force Color Guard and the Rifle Team in the background. I will never forget the honor that I felt today on Dad’s behalf. I knew he would be so proud. (There are many photos from today’s ceremony posted in the photo section. You can order prints from the originals that are there, and you can also download the pictures as well). The view from Dad’s final resting place is overlooking the Washington Monument to the east and of the Air Force Memorial to the south. As a native Washingtonian, I know he could not ask for more.

Thank you again for your attendance today, and I am grateful for the honor that you bestowed upon Charles. I know he would have greatly appreciated it.
He was certainly a part of the Greatest Generation…

It has been three painful weeks since Dad (my father-in-law) died. The grief is almost crushing. I am amazed by the grieving process. For me, it has been surreal; in and out of a dream state, like an “out of body” experience. I see myself walking a path, or weeping, or holding up my wife and mother-in-law in their grief, but from afar.
It had been almost eleven years since I had walked this journey of loss. I believe it was on my 24th birthday that I received a call from my uncle saying that my grandfather had suffered a massive heart attack and had died while on vacation in Arizona. I was alone in the house, and the silence was deafening.

I do not want this story portrayed as one of unending sadness, or as a soul’s destruction, or of a life ended in tragedy. For it is not. It is quite the contrary. There have been countless miracles, mighty battles, visions of God’s hand, hope coming down and enveloping our home, and GREAT victories. The greatest knowledge came because we said good-bye to Dad on Good Friday, and we had the opportunity to experience our first true Easter with my mother-in-law.

For some strange reason Dad’s death felt like a graduation day. It was a day of moving from late adolescence into real adulthood. Being an adult is hard. Making funeral arrangements, orchestrating a burial, comforting visiting family, finding time to grieve for myself, all while trying to love and support the people closest to me. It is amazing how much of God’s love and strength I have had during this time. I felt as if I was being carried. God is so good.

In the midst of all of this, I found out last Friday that my mother has cancer of the Thyroid. Please lift her health up in prayer. I am not sure I have even processed out these feelings, but my heart has been really heavy. So much so that I was rushed to the local Emergency room on Saturday night with chest pains. I thought it was all over for me.

I was awoken from a deep sleep at 2:19 a.m. with pains in my chest and I could barely breathe. It was prime time for a heart attack and my mind was swimming. Not with regret of things I had left undone, but of the thought of failing my family. I felt as though I had failed them by leaving them during this present darkness. Obviously I am still here. I was released at 8 a.m. on Sunday morning. The doctors could not explain my symptoms and I will be seeing a doctor this week to start the investigation.
I have no idea why I am writing these personal thoughts here, in this space… I suppose it is a vehicle to ensure that nothing goes left unsaid.

Today, as I was leaving for Austin on business, 33 students were murdered by a gunman at Virginia Tech, here in Blacksburg Virginia, on Saturday evening while in the ER I listened to the PA ring out with numerous Code Blues (someone is near death), and I drive by a location daily (near my home) that took the life of a teenage boy and his sister just days before Christmas because of an auto accident.

Given our situation, our pain, and circumstances, I would not trade places with anyone else. You take the good with the bad. You take life’s success in stride with the pain that it offers.

I am here; in the midst of embracing my pain.

Of Brandywine, MD, most recently of Leesburg, VA, passed into the presence of the Lord, Our Savior, Jesus Christ on March 29, 2007. Devoted, beloved husband of Hilda F. Curtis. Loving father to Pamela Rizzo, Carol Lee Curtis, Esq., Barbara A. Jedrey, Charles W. Curtis, Jr., M.D., Robert M.Curtis, Rena Curtis, Esq., Sherrie Everett, John P. Everett, III, & Dallas J.G. Nash. He is survived by 11 grandchildren, 2 great-grandchildren, and his sister Patricia Brooks. He is also survived by cousins Bob & Judy Curtis, George & Jo Curtis, Paul & Becky Curtis, & Betty Cornwell — as well as many other loving friends and relatives including Theta Chi Fraternity brothers Robert Monahan & Charles Hendrick.

The family will receive friends at Lee Funeral Home, 6633 Old Alexandria Ferry Road, Clinton, MD, on Thursday, April 5, from 2-4 & 6-8 p.m, where a funeral service will be held on Friday, April 6, at 10:00 a.m. Inurnment ceremony will be held on June 7, 2007, at 8:30 a.m., at the Arlington National Cemetery chapel with Full Military Honors. May the family suggest, as an alternative choice to flowers, a donation to the Immanuel United Methodist Church, 17400 Aquasco Rd., Brandywine, MD 20613.
www.leefuneralhomes.com

After reading the first BLOG, it looks as if we did nothing but drive and eat. It definitely makes me laugh. In my haste to update the BLOG, I forgot to add drink! We partook in some fantastic wines and champagne. The latest rage in France this past year was the Rose. So when in France…but I digress.

Our early morning departure from Domain de Tortiniere lead us into a small town where we stopped at the local bakery for breakfast before hitting the road. This day would introduce us to the most majestic spectacles we have ever seen. The road tightly followed the contour of the Loire River. And our first experience with the Renaissance would begin at Château de Chenonceau. The Chateau was an engineering marvel that combined French sophistication and beauty with medieval integrity.

The grounds were beautifully appointed and were, in themselves, a priceless works of art. We will definitely be incorporating some of its design concepts into Château de la Croix (our Virginia home). http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ch%C3%A2teau_de_Chenonceau

A beautiful sunny day, the gardens, the water rushing by, and a castle, it was really like being in a fairy tale. We walked the grounds, playing in the maze where kings walked and romances flourished. We stopped at the garden café and had a café au lait and enjoyed the warm sunshine and before leaving.

Our next stop would take us across the Loire and Northeast to Amboise. For you history buffs, it was from this location where Francois I, left for Italy and “discovered” his new court appointed muse, artist, and engineer – Leonardo Da Vinci. Da Vinci honored with the King’s benefaction, was given le Clos Lucé to live in and a pension of 700 golden crowns per year. The King asked for nothing more in return than the pleasure of listening to Leonardo converse. In one corner of the basement is the entrance to an underground passage connecting le Clos Lucé to the Château de Amboise, giving the King a direct link to the home of the master he so admired.
What is impressive is the distance between Clos Lucé and the Château. The tunnel must be at least 2 miles long. Da Vinci is buried within the Chapelle St. Hubert, on the grounds of the Château. We have some wonderful pictures of the Chapelle and the Château de Amboise.

The Château itself, is a more a medieval castle in château clothing. It is a massive fortress; stark, sparsely decorated and cold. In 1560, during the Wars of Religion, a conspiracy by members of the Huguenot House of Bourbon against the House of Guise (which virtually ruled France in the name of the young François II) was uncovered by the comte de Guise. This conspiracy was quickly stifled by a series of hangings, which took a month to carry out. By the time it was finished, 1200 Protestant conspirators were gibbeted, strung from the town walls & hung from the iron hooks (that held pennants and tapestries on festive occasions) and the balcony of the Logis du Roi. The Court was forced to flee the smell of rotting corpses. After this massacre, the château was left abandoned by the Royals and fell into disrepair. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ch%C3%A2teau_d’Amboise

Ok, I know, this is turning more into a history lesson, but it was important for me to share with you the historical significance of these magnificent locations.
Our last Château stop was at the pièce de résistance! Château de Chambord, designed by Da Vinci is literally the most amazing engineering feat I have ever observed. It was built by 1200 masons over the span of 20 years. There is no possible way to describe the sheer size of this Château. The skyline is nothing less that breathtaking. Its moat stretches for miles, and it boasts the longest wall in France. Most of your exposure to Chambord comes from its production of the raspberry liqueur. I know most of you know about Liqueur. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ch%C3%A2teau_de_Chambord

We journey on from the Loire Valley, back through Paris then onto the last portion of our journey. We drive (from Paris) another 125 km east to Epernay. We arrived at 8pm, and we were personally escorted to our Château (Hotel Clos Reymi – an Art Deco master piece) by a local cab driver. The Hotel was the personal home of Chandon. Epernay is a town made famous by its Grand Cru champagne production by Moet & Chandon, and specifically, its vintage Dom Perignon. We toured and then finally tasted the vintage champagnes by Moet & Chandon. Moet & Chandon’s current marketing campaign is “Be Fabulous”. I could not describe it better. The tour exposed us to 18 miles of champagne caves, holding millions of bottles of precious elixir. I wanted to move here.

I could go on and on… the views of the vineyards, the sun in my face and a sweet champagne buzz. After some walking through the quaint town, we left Epernay for Reims to visit two other champagne houses. We stopped in Reims to visit another thousand year old basilica and finally headed back to Paris. The drive was a quick return to the city of light, but on our return we noticed all of the scents that we smelled the evening prior. The different soils were emitting beautiful fragrances into the evening air as we made the drive.

Our arrival into Paris was greeted with the warmth of the late afternoon sun, lunch at a café looking at Notre Dame, and some perusing of the local book stores. Before we checked into our hotel, we then made our way to the Champs-Élysées to do some shopping at Chanel & Dior. We carved our way out of Paris to the CDG Airport, checked in, showered and changed for dinner. After a grueling drive back into the city center, we toured around and finally stopped at the Eiffel Tower. It was now midnight and our trip had come to an end. Rena was expecting to return to the hotel, but I had one more surprise up my sleeve. Precisely at midnight, I parked the car and we walked a block to the center of the Eiffel Tower. Just as we arrived, the tower began to twinkle. Although cliché, there is nothing like the Eiffel Tower –particularly when it’s glowing in the Parisian night like a gigantic sparkler. We shared a kiss, held hands for a bit, and made our way back to the hotel for our morning departure.

Au revoir Paris… je retourne.

Turning 35… What an age. The celebration though, was the special event. I was on the bank of the Atlantic, looking at an abbey that has stood for more than a thousand years. Perspective is a beautiful thing. My life, all 35 years of it, is what it took to complete some of France’s largest Chateaus.

I am in France, enjoying some of the most beautiful spectacles I have ever witnessed. An early morning arrival in Paris on my birthday was very special. The weather was warm and dry, the sun was shining, and the sky was clear. Thank God! The weather reports projected five days of rain and scattered clouds. There are small miracles.

Rena and I got into the rental car (easily the smallest vehicle I had ever driven), and made a mad dash through Paris traffic towards our destination of Normandy. We arrived in Bayeux for lunch, trying desperately to shake off the effects of jet lag. We had a quaint little lunch looking at a thousand year old church that was build to immortalize William the Conqueror.

We spent the majority of the day honoring the U.S. soldiers that died liberating Europe from the oppression of the Nazis. The U.S. cemetery at Omaha Beach was emotional and heavy. Amongst all of the beauty of the gardens and the majesty of the Atlantic Ocean, 9700 men lay in rest. The sadness was very gripping, and it was as if the brightness and clarity of the sun was diminished here. The beaches here also were the inspiration of impressionist painters. Awe inspiring.
Our drive took us south through the small towns and rural farm land of Normandy. This could be one of my favorite places on earth. By sunset we arrived at the west coast of Normandy (bordering on Brittany) staring into a fleeting sunset. The sun was a giant luminary on the horizon painting the Mont-St.-Michel is a glorious soft hue of orange. I felt at perfect peace here. Rena took the best photo of me on our vacation here. The sun is shining over my shoulder while I bask in the light of this perfect moment. http://www.ot-montsaintmichel.com/accueil_gb.htm

We left the Abbey, and made the drive into Brittany to look for our Chateau. Our vacation was not comprised of traditional hotels, but of stately Chateaus scattered throughout the French country side. They ranged in size from large to larger. Our first stop was at Chateau Boceel. It was spooky at first. Dusk had come, and the night was quickly approaching. The Chateau is large and the idea of spending the night in a Count’s home was intimidating. He is a true noble, and his hospitality and grace quickly made us feel at ease. He romanced us with family stories, including a most incredible tale of when his father, part of the French resistance during WWII, was taken captive by the German Gestapo. The Chateau was built in 1763 and is still owned and operated by the family that founded the estate back in the 12th century. http://www.chateaudebouceel.com/anglais/bienvenueUK.php
After a beautiful breakfast and a leisurely stroll over the estate’s grounds, we made our way to St. James, the site of the second largest WWII U.S. cemetery in Europe. 4400 men lie at rest here.

We were now officially on our way into the heart of the Loire Valley. A lush valley inhabited by Kings and Nobles for a thousand years. We purposefully kept our journey to small roads that carved their way through the French country-side and quaint villages. Our meals were consistent over the course of our journey – French crepes, banana and Nutella. We would also “throw in” a pain du chocolate and the odd croissant. Pure gastronomical joy!!! We drove the majority of the day, stopping to enjoy the sights and sounds, and arrived in late afternoon at Saumer. We were able to enjoy some beautiful baguettes with sausage and butter, cold Orangina, and the views overlooking the vineyards of the Loire Valley and the Chateau Saumer. We clumsily made our way to our next Chateau, and somehow made it into our bed despite EVERY road that we needed NOT being on our map. It was another small miracle. Domain de Tortiniere, although very beautiful, was really nothing special. The photos did a fantastic job selling us on the property. I have included the website so you can see for yourself. http://www.tortiniere.com/

This BLOG is getting pretty lengthy, and this is really just the end of day 2. I will post more tomorrow… Bon soir mes amis.

I’ll be home for Christmas,
You can count on me.
Please have snow and mistletoe
And presents under the tree.
Christmas Eve will find me,
Where the love light gleams.
I’ll be home for Christmas,
If only in my dreams.
Christmas Eve will find me,
Where the love light gleams.
I’ll be home for Christmas,
If only in my dreams.

Bing Crosby

- Mrs. Bubba Mitty
- The feeling of taking my first ride on the first Harley that I ever owned
- Great friends in high school
- Great friends in college (BU included)
- Good health through the years
- People that invested time in me, especially my two favorite profs at EU (Bio and Math) and an awesome head coach
- My education
- The hard lessons I have learned – yes, different from my education
- A mother and father that loved me
- A great brother
- Family in DC
- A roof over my head
- A great job
- Dr. Lon Solomon
- My Harley
- The Christmas season
- Family in Canada
- The Kansas City Chiefs
- The Edmonton Oilers
- HDTV and sports broadcasting
- Wegman’s Grocery Store
- A great team of guys that I work with

Make a list…