John and Max at the Ranch
(I love this picture, so typical John!)
R.I.P. John Kutch
1954-2010
Just a quick update as I haven’t posted in a very long time.
As of the middle of May, I left the orphanage and moved to Karatu. A friend and I are in the process of starting a secondary school for girls in the Karatu district. It has been a wild few months, with lots of ups and downs, but an amazing adventure. The school will be for marginalized girls in the area and will be boarding only. We also plan on having a vocational school for those girls who are not academically inclined. I promise to post more details soon as we are in serious building and fundraising mode.
I had to make an unplanned trip to the United States in late July and I am still here. My ex-husband, John, was finally losing the battle with cancer. I came here to help take care of him and be with my children at this sad time.
John passed away on August 7th. He was a unique person, full of life, lots of quirks and one of the funniest people I have ever met. He kept me laughing even to the end. The children and I will miss him, but we know he is only gone in body, his spirit will be with us forever. He was 57 years old.
Zane came home from Afghanistan to be with John, but then had to return. A few days ago he was hit by shrapnel from a grenade and also sustained a concussion, however he is tough and seems to be doing pretty well. They are patching him up and sending him back into the field.
Max came for a couple of weeks before John died and then for a week after his death to help Kayce and I get the house ready for an estate sale. He has gone back to North Carolina and is awaiting his next deployment.
I am so proud of the boys, but have to say it is really tough being the mom of two Marines!
Kayce had quit her job and moved to Dallas last January to move in with John and help take care of him. This was a lot to handle for someone her age, or for anyones age for that matter. I am really proud of how she has handled everything. It just shows how strong she is and how she perseveres even through the hard times.
We are cleaning out John’s house, getting ready to have an estate sale. I am currently of the opinion that John could have been on an episode of the Horders Lots and lots and lots of crap…truly amazing how much can fit into one space and not look too bad.
I am fortunate to be able to stay in the US for a couple more weeks. I have a lot of work to do and a few fundraisers to attend, then I will be back to Tanzania and the amazing life I am leading right now.
I did get my hair ALL cut off today. It was so long, the hairdresser cut off 10 inches just to get it to a point to cut it in a style. Not sure I like it, but it certainly suits my lifestyle better now. I now look like an old lady lesbian, with a kind of funky hairdo. Ha!
I have so many great stories to post. Once the land purchase has gone through, I will have time to post them all. It has been a great few months in Tz and a sad few weeks here, but one thing is for sure, the last few months have been a constant reminder how lucky I am to have my health, my children and a lot of wonderful relationships. I cannot wait to build this school and help the girls of Tanzania. It is a wonderful gift to be able to help so many people.
