Matthew and I were dear friends at Fargo South high school. Sharing a love of music and both being a bit "theatrical" in nature (just a bit!), we got along like peanut butter and chocolate. We even called one another "big sister" and "little brother". Matt was a touchstone for me as well as someone I could always count on to cheer me up. Just the sight of his cherubic face would make me feel better. No one could dry my tears like Matthew. We also laughed and laughed together over one silly thing or another until the tears came. We absolutely adored one another.
The news of his death saddens me so much. The world has lost such a bright spark, and a thoroughly loving and good man. It's hard to think of a world without Matt. I find myself asking, "Why God? Why did you have to call THIS beloved one home? Why so soon?" I think about this and then I think of my silly story as Matthew would want me to, and I feel better.
In high school Matt had a part-time job doing singing telegrams. He was either the guy in the tuxedo with the rose, or the guy in the gorilla suit, assigned to scare the dickens out of people. Of course he took full advantage of this -- which means you've probably figured out my story by now. One time he had a gig at West Acres wearing the gorilla suit. Being Matthew, he said, let's put the costume on FIRST, and drive there so we can see other drivers' reactions! Oh my goodness, did we laugh, it's amazing we made it to the mall in one piece. So picture a man in a gorilla suit driving a tiny blue Yugo down 13th avenue. I was sitting in the passenger seat trying to act perfectly normal. Oh, it was hilarious. So many people were scared, it's also a wonder we didn't cause a fender bender. Amazing too, were the citizens of Fargo who looked as though seeing a gorilla driving a Yugo to West Acres was a perfectly normal thing to do, which made us laugh even harder.
Now you've got your wings Matthew, I promise to try and laugh more, and be silly, as you would want. I will never forget you. I love you so much. Love from "Big Sis" xxx
The news of his death saddens me so much. The world has lost such a bright spark, and a thoroughly loving and good man. It's hard to think of a world without Matt. I find myself asking, "Why God? Why did you have to call THIS beloved one home? Why so soon?" I think about this and then I think of my silly story as Matthew would want me to, and I feel better.
In high school Matt had a part-time job doing singing telegrams. He was either the guy in the tuxedo with the rose, or the guy in the gorilla suit, assigned to scare the dickens out of people. Of course he took full advantage of this -- which means you've probably figured out my story by now. One time he had a gig at West Acres wearing the gorilla suit. Being Matthew, he said, let's put the costume on FIRST, and drive there so we can see other drivers' reactions! Oh my goodness, did we laugh, it's amazing we made it to the mall in one piece. So picture a man in a gorilla suit driving a tiny blue Yugo down 13th avenue. I was sitting in the passenger seat trying to act perfectly normal. Oh, it was hilarious. So many people were scared, it's also a wonder we didn't cause a fender bender. Amazing too, were the citizens of Fargo who looked as though seeing a gorilla driving a Yugo to West Acres was a perfectly normal thing to do, which made us laugh even harder.
Now you've got your wings Matthew, I promise to try and laugh more, and be silly, as you would want. I will never forget you. I love you so much. Love from "Big Sis" xxx
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