Mark used to say i told too much, but he also thanked me for being me. So.. I'm doing this tribute my way.
I first spoke with Mark in mid July of last year. My loved one was in jail and i was trying to secure a place for them at Ash Tree house. Mark spent many hours with me on the phone, explaining the process and the overall legal system. I called him so often that he affectionately nicknamed me "Bug".
I thought it odd he'd call so late, just after nine, but later learned it was at this time the residents of the house turned over their devices and this was Mark's only free time. Always kind, and always patient, he gave up his rest to ease my worries and help me through the process.
During one of these chats i gave a sarcastic, somewhat crude remark. He fired back in equal measure and we were friends from then on! Though a twenty year age difference, we found in each other a mutually weird and wacky kinship. We shared life stories, secrets, memes, and music. I'll forever think of him when i hear his favorite,
Peter Gabriel. He was like a father and a best friend. He promised to one day teach me how to drive stick. And it wasn't meant as a double entendre! He often gave me the same lectures and devotions he gave the guys at the house. Long winded, and full of about a dozen "Mmmk..", "So..".
I'll miss his stories. At anytime, anywhere, a trigger will set of a memory and he'd say, "Remind me to tell you about the time...". His life was so interesting and often wild. It was hard to fathom how this calm, rational, peaceful man could have been that... that..THAT! Most up here didn't know the full extent of his past. Nor did they get why those of us who did would giggle anytime Mark wielded a knife. And he often would when light heartedly roasted.
Mark held a lot of regret in regards to his past, but he also believed it to be God's plan. His spirituality was always present. He said "A sin is a sin". And he had a way to make christianity easier to follow and more inclusive.
I know the guys at the house often felt Mark to be stern. His favorite saying was, "I'll give you just enough rope to hang yourself with". But he truly did care for them all. He knew what a person could be capable of should they want the change. He invested more of himself emotionally than anyone realized.
Mark's Christmas gift to me was a compass with the arrow pointing north to "God" and a note saying, "For if you ever lose your way from peace". It is due to his passing that I've lost my way from peace. But i reflect on one of Mark's favorite bits of writing. "I Stand At The Door" by Sam Shoemaker. He said it hit him the first time he read it. I won't post it here. It's a long one and I've gone on long enough. I suggest everyone read it and understand how Mark felt about his calling.
He was a kind, funny (Dad jokes, notwithstanding ) harsh, delightful, honest, humble, proud, complicated, creepy little man (you can love Jesus AND serial killers!)
I'll wholeheartedly miss him.