... you smell like a monkey, and you look like one too!

Every once in a while, I read through the stories people share on the wonderful man that was Master Luetke. I was twelve when he passed, nearly thirteen. Now I am sixteen, close to seventeen. Odd how time flies. Near the anniversary of his passing, I had a conversation with Master Luetke when I was asleep. (half asleep more like) 

It may have been my imagination, but I like to think it was him checking in. We spoke as we normally would, and I updated him on the life I am currently living. It was haunting but the mood was joyful. He had the short laugh I remember well.

I recently had a knee injury, keeping me from kicking for a good month and a half. When it happened I wasn't sad. I was enraged. Quite frankly I questioned why I kept doing it to myself. Why would I keep hurting myself so I could continue TaeKwonDo? A few weeks of frusteration came to it's conclusion when I came across some photos of me recieving my high brown belt after my first injury, that was supposed to stop my training for good. Master Luetke rewarded my efforts towards getting back to class after being told no more. I don't believe he would do that if he didn't believe in me. So why stop now. 

Master Luetke trusted a man with his students before he passed. A man I trust with my whole martial arts career. Luetke knew what he was doing when he handed the studio over.

Thank you Alfred, for keeping us in your thoughts in such a troubling time. I am eternally greatful. 



 

Two nights ago, I woke up from a deep sleep with this overwhelming presence of Alfred in my head. I couldn't get back to sleep. It was like he was trying to tell me something, but I'm still not sure what. In the morning, I started looking around on the internet and found this site. I'm touched by the notes and pictures and it brought back so many wonderful memories, both private and public. I miss you, Alfred!

I remember when I first met Alfred. I was signing up my two kids, Jonathan and Kevin, for TKD lessons and was considering taking lessons myself. I think the kids were 6 and 4 at the time. Alfred listened patiently, signed them up, then told me that if I was going to do it, I should do it soon, because in his experience it was good for the parent to stay one belt level ahead of the kids! I did eventually sign up and stay one belt level ahead of the boys. I kept going after they stopped and got to a green belt. I remember Alfred letting me come a few times to work out with the black belt class, which was great! I was so excited! When I was thoroughly exhausted and frustrated with something, he would make me do it again, saying "last one, best one", and it usually was.

 We would hang out some evenings after the last class was over and he would tell me great stories about things that happened in Korea and black belts he knew who thumped on people who had it coming. I would harass him to stop smoking and he would just laugh it off.... and keep smoking. I would tell him about my boys giving me trouble, then the next time he saw them, he would have them on the mat with a pressure point. He asked them if they were dating when they were too close together on the mat. I was always amazed at how he could stretch his legs up behind his head!

The thing I remember most is how much he loved his kids. I think I met Coutnie once and Bethany a few times, but I knew Kassidy and Ian when they were little. I lived just a few minutes away from the studio, so in the summer Alfred would bring them to my swimming pool and they would splash around in it until after he finished teaching his class and he picked them up. Kassidy was fine in the water but Ian was terrified. Sometimes I would walk Kassidy to dance class down across the parking lot. Alfred was always so grateful, but it was nothing for me to watch the kids in comparison to all the things he did for me and everyone else all of the time. 

I saw him a few weeks before he passed and I thought he looked terrible, like he was in a lot of pain. I was so worried, but he just complained a little bit about how shitty his health had been for awhile. Then laughed it off , saying he would get better eventually.

I'm so grateful for having known this sweet man. He really made an impact on my life and that of my kids! I will always remember and miss him dearly!

Hello beautiful people.(: happy to be looking through these again, I don't think about my father enough by any means and the guilt is killing me. I know he'd be understanding though, He was a young lad once as well. Anyways, I've really been seeking guidance recently just about this shit sandwich we call life, and as soon as I thought "shit sandwich", my mind rested where it needed to be. On the incredible memories of an incredible man. I'm 18 years old now, and I know my dad would be proud of the person I'm becoming. I'm not sure really what I'm saying anymore, just that I have so much love for my father and I'm gonna try harder to be someone he's proud of. Life a shit sandwich and everyday is another bite. He understands. He was eating before me.

Well it's been about 2 years, 2 years and a month tomorrow. But not to worry, I haven't forgotten and I'm sure many of you haven't either.

Many times over I've wondered how much better off I would be if August 3rd, 2013 hadn't happened, if that day just never existed. Not to say I'm not incredibly grateful for the wanderful things in my life now, just a thought that dances across my mind every now and then. How much closer I'd be with my family and how much more accepting to knowledge and growth id be. Maybe I would have drive to keep dancing, or to persue everything I could ever imagine because someone else genuinely believed in me more that I did myself. I was a little spoiled bitch. And I was ugly. (: But hey, at least I'm not lying to myself. Today was the first day of my senior year in High school, and i dreaded every minute of it, I've had a lot going through my head. Excuse my rant, I need some reminding sometimes, and me being the daughter of an incredible man and forgetting myself, I figured a friendly reminder could never hurt: just ways remember that you can acheive any goals and any dreams you have by the simple and very gratifying act of

                                              Breathing in, and breathing out.

With cold and flu season in session, I am reminded of a time when Airborne was popular with teachers and parents alike.

Most of us popped that disk into a glass of water, watched it dissolve and would drink it in hopes of keeping the sniffles away.

One day, class was in session. Master Luetke was not teachiing that day. I was standing toward the back with 2 grandparents, chit chatting about life, when Master walked up to us, stood next to me and said:

"You know that Airborne stuff? I don't know how people can stand that shit. I just try and chew up half a one, and it just about kills me!"

Dead silence ensued, and I started to snicker: "Uhm, you're supposed to let it dissolve in water and then drink it."

Master silently turned around and shuffled back to his office in quiet contemplation.      

I will never forget the day my son Patrick (then 6) put is sparring gear on his little sister Lara B. (the 3). After a round of "sparring", Patrick put his fist to Lara's head and knocked repeatedly yelling "Hello! Hello! Knock on Wood!" while she was laughing.


There are many Master Luetke-isms that will be used in our family for generations to come. Here are just a few:

- Last one, best one!
- Don't block with your face!
- Your voice makes you stronger!
- Pretty please, with a cherry on top?
- What? Are you two dating? (kids standing to close to one another)
- This isn't San Francisco!
- Hey, Mutt and Jeff!
- Hey, we're on Planet Earth, Gig Harbor, Washington!  


There are so many stories left to tell. He is and always will be greatly missed by Michael, Patrick, Lara, River and I. His studio was like a second home to us.    

    
     

I met Alfred just once but it left a lasting impression.  I joined Courtnie and him, along with a few other close friends for Easter brunch at Hector's in Kirkland.  There was classic rock (60s and 70s) playing in the restaurant and he and I began a conversation about music which turned into a conversation about life, family and everything in between.  He was so warm and friendly you couldn't help but feel at home around him.  I've told Courtnie many times how much I enjoyed meeting him and and how glad I was that he joined us that day. 

Though he and I never crossed paths again Courtnie has shared many stories with me about growing up with her Dad, about his love for family, his students and people in general.  It seems we could use more people like him in this world...and thankfully we have several - his children.  I haven't had the privilege of meeting all of you, but through my friendships with Courtnie and Jeannie I can see a part of the wonderful legacy he left behind.

Alfred used to love to tell me about when he lived in Cripple Creek Colorado and this was a Dylan song that he loved.  He would sing every word... Even the yodeling....  I can still see him dancing to it.  You will be missed Alfred.  
I found the Dylan version and a "stuck in the 60's" looking guy singing it. .... I hope your listening.     http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7V2pvWesqC0&feature=player_embedded