Busy Weekend for #TeamKirk

Team Kirk was out in full force this weekend, and we've got pictures to prove it!

Kirk's cube at Target got a #TeamKirk addition!

The diaper party was also a huge success, with Derek manning the grill and a table full of diapers for Alexa! THANK YOU to the Reitens for opening your house to Team Kirk!

If you're headed to the first Gopher football game on Thursday vs. TCU, wear your Team Kirk gear and share Kirk's story to the fans around you!  Tailgating lots open at 2:00 pm, and the game starts at 8:00 pm.  More information about game day can be found here: Gophers Game Day

GO GOPHERS!

#TeamKirk Everywhere!

As you know, Kirk has a huge support network, and everyone is sporting their Team Kirk shirts at fundraisers, at work, at home, and on the road!  We've created a photo album on the main page to share all of the pictures, but here are some we've gathered so far.

Lucas and Molly at the Pourhouse

Bryan at baseball in Blaine  |  Ashley and Dustin at the Pourhouse

 
Target team at the Pourhouse  |  They also made a video: Target #TeamKirk Video

Angie and Alexandra:  "Team Kirk! Even though we've only met & hooped it up once, It's a day we'll never forget! You've got a special place in our hearts & know that we're rooting you on all the way!"

Tiffany and Kyle: "Team Kirk all the way!!"  |  Shannon: "Love you cuz!"           

I.C. System crew at work:  Tami, Barb, Carol, Christine, Brenda, and Crystal (not pictured)

Melissa in Winona  |  Kenji's bear at work

Send YOUR #TeamKirk photos to kirkingramrecovery7@gmail.com or tag #TeamKirk on Facebook, and we'll add them to our album!

Event Reminder - Diaper Party!

Just a reminder that Derek Reiten and his family are throwing a diaper party for Kirk, Melissa, and Baby Alexa on Saturday!  Please join us, and help ease the need for any late night diaper-dashes! Here are the details:

Saturday, August 29, 2015, beginning at 3:00 p.m.
18533 Dunbury Knoll, Farmington, MN 55024

Bring a pack of diapers and/or wipes ANY and ALL sizes (with gift receipt)! If you'd rather give a gift card to Target or make a donation to Kirk and his family for recovery and rehabilitation costs, that is much appreciated as well!  Preferred diaper and wipe brand is the TARGET UP AND UP BRAND.

There will be a bounce house for the kids, donated by Jordan Lee.  Hosts will be grilling hamburgers around 5:00 pm, and serving chips and water.  Please BYOB.

There's also a raffle for $150, $100 and $50 cash prizes and for a MN Alphabet Print (pictured below) from Joe Ballard. $10 a ticket! Do NOT have to be present to win and you can buy the tickets at any time through Derek Reiten, either by phone or through Facebook. Names will be drawn at 8:00 pm at the event.

Questions and RSVP - Please contact Derek Reiten at 651-497-0196.

We look forward to seeing you there!

The Kindness of Strangers

In addition to the outpouring of love from family and friends, we've received some heartfelt emails from distant connections and friends of friends, all sending their well-wishes and prayers to Kirk and family. One in particular came from an incoming junior at Woodbury High School, Kevin Kuehlwein, who gave me permission to share his email.  When I read it to Kirk, he was overwhelmed and thankful for the support of people who have never even met him, and he kept saying, "That's amazing."

"Good afternoon, my name is Kevin Kuehlwein and I am an incoming junior at Woodbury High School. I just read your article in the Woodbury Bulletin and I must say that you are an extremely strong man. What happened was unfortunate, but don't ever forget that you are here on this earth today because God cares about you and we all know that he has a wonderful future planned for you. I would like to extend my full thoughts and prayers to you and your family and I wish you all the best, from the bottom of my heart- you have many family members, friends, and community members such as myself who care about you and hope for the best! The one thing I want you to take away from me is that life is a precious thing, and you still have it. I want you to live it to the fullest and enjoy every single moment of it. You and your family are strong and the fact that things are already getting better is a sign that there's plenty more to come, so just hang in there and everything will be just fine. Just stay strong, remember that you're a strong and powerful person and you have the ability to fight through this slight inconvenience and enjoy the life you were born to live. I once again offer my full support to you and your entire family and I wish the best in the long run. Just remember to never give up, and to continue powering through the journeys life brings you. There is always a happy ending. And please do not hesitate to email me at any time of you ever need any extra support, guidance or encouragement. I hope all is well!"


Kirk has also felt the love from the Minnesota Vikings.  On Sunday, August 23, Vikings wide-receiver, Adam Thielen, and his wife, Caitlin, visited Kirk at the hospital.  They brought a football signed by members of the team, including Adam, Teddy Bridgewater, Adrian Peterson, and Shaun Hill.

THANK YOU to everyone for your continued outpouring of love and support, including the wonderful strangers that have reached out to share their thoughts and prayers.  A special thank you to Adam, Caitlin, and the Minnesota Vikings as well, for making Kirk's Sunday.  You are all part of Team Kirk and we're glad you're with us!

A View of the ICU

During Kirk's three weeks in the ICU, Lucas snapped a few pictures of his encouraging smile and his excellent caretakers!

Email Recap

As many of you know, we created an email address for Kirk's journey, so that everyone can send pictures and videos to Kirk to make him laugh, encourage him, or just to say hi.  Since we're just getting this site up and running, here's a recap of some we've received so far:

August 7, 2015
Bryan Ludwig: "Took #teamkirk to the diamond last night in Blaine! Praying for you buddy!"

August 9, 2015
Steve and Becky Pallas:  "Kirk, you know we have always loved and adored you like you were our own child. We have been praying for you non-stop since your mom told us about your accident. Here’s to your full recovery! Attached are a few old photos we thought you’d enjoy."

Hailey Pearson and Steve Englund:  "Just wanted to let you know that it was wonderful visiting you today. Both Stephen and I loved spending time with you! We feel truly honored that we were able to see you and that we get to call you our friend. Little secret for you...my favorite part of visiting you is getting to give you a kiss on the forehead (at your request, of course.)

This afternoon I had a bridal shower at Sarah Ball's house. It was great getting to see friends and family. I asked everyone there to pray for you and your family and the niece's (Lauryn - 8, Camryn - 6, Alexa - 4) made you some #TeamKirk signs.

Some familiar faces I'm sure - Gwen Englund, Lynn Pien, Carla Wolf, Renee Saunders, Sarah Ball, Becca Ketchum, Erin Englund, to name a few. They are all praying for you and believing in the power of the Lord to strengthen you. You are loved by so many and you have touched so many lives.

​Keep fighting bud and know that we love you! XOXO"

August 10, 2015
Haley Pearson:  "Just wanted to share another little story with you... Yesterday I asked Stephen's niece Camryn (6 years old) to write out "#TeamKirk" on a white piece of computer paper. The only thing I told her was that a friend of Uncle Stephen's and I was in a serious accident and that's why we were making the signs. She actually did an amazing job writing it though it was a little plain. So, I ask her to decorate it. She started drawing a star and then looked up at me and said "You know, stars are for miracles." She has no idea what happened and she still believes in a miracle. Here's her work..."

August 11, 2015

The Helgasons:  "Said a little prayer for you in the largest Lutheran church in Iceland! Hoping things continue to improve! Keep fighting Kirk!!  #TeamKirk #BrickByBrick"

August 12, 2015
Meg Burns: "Little cousin Kirky - I was so sorry and saddened to hear about your accident. Most of the time it still doesn't seem real but know I am thinking of you often and sending hugs, kisses, prayers, and good vibes towards your recovery. A quote that a family of a patient shared with me once was:

"Fate is a funny creature. She puts obstacles in your path to see what kind of character you have. Life isn't fair, life is a test of character."

I truly think if anyone has the character to overcome this obstacle it is you. Reading your Caring Bridge, talking with my dad and hearing how well you are dealing with everything is so amazing--though unsurprising-- and I am ridiculously proud of you.

I know we didn't get a chance to see each other when I was in MN last month, but please know I think Alexa is so beautiful and I can't wait to meet her. I am planning to be home for Christmas this year (finally) and will 100% be seeing you then. Maybe Grandma will make super cheesy pajamas for Alexa like she used to for all of us ;)

Love and missing you lots"

August 14, 2015
Scott Ransom:  "I know Kirk through work at Target.  He came to our Oracle Database Team after I had been with the team for a few years.  He's young enough to be my son.  So the young whippersnapper comes to the team.  He's smart, energetic, vigorous, talented, dedicated, energetic, hard-working, energetic.  Energetic. There were times I just rolled my eyes.  But it wasn't long before he gained my respect.  And everyone's.  We saw he could lead, so we let him.

A few years ago, many on our team entered a 10k running race.  Kirk and I ran together much of the way.  Near the end, the young whippersnapper decided he could best me and took off.  But he took off too early and slowly I reeled him back in.  Then he took off again.  Result: Kirk-49:47, Scott-50:07.  So the dern young whippersnapper did best me!  Since then I’ve redoubled my running training, and one way I keep myself motivated is by occasionally emailing the team to inform them of my times and paces for certain key runs.  Kirk ALWAYS responds with an “attaboy” or “good job!”  Little things like that let you know he’s interested…and…cares."



If you want to send your photos, videos, or notes about Kirk, please email us at kirkingramrecovery7@gmail.com.  If you're comfortable with your post being shared here, please let us know.