10/06/20 MARKS TRIBUTE TO A FRIEND

10/06/20 MARKS TRIBUTE TO A FRIEND

I am sharing a post from Mark Gould. We just lost a friend and Mark wrote a wonderful tribute to his friend. I wanted to share the love, joy and sense of importance in a human life that Mark communicates in this post.

By Mark J. Gould
This is a hard post for me to write. I've just lost one of my longest, closest friends. He was someone that I've known since I was around 9 or 10.

He came to my dad's church as a young Marine.
Gave his life to the Lord and served the church in any way that he was able.
He was a very giving type of person. If he had it he would share it, if you needed it he would do his best to get it for ya and if you needed help with anything he was right there to lend a hand no matter the project.
He was one of those jack of all trades type of men.

As a young boy I remember the times we would hang out either at church or the time he took my brother and I to Cherry Point Marine Air Station to an air show. We were so excited to see the Blue Angels but unfortunately it was rained out so we spent the day getting on the different planes and got to see a B52. He took us to eat in the Chow Hall as well which was exciting to a 10 year old. We spent the night at his house in Morehead and put together a model airplane. Good times for sure. He was active in church projects and like I said before he was always willing and able to serve in whatever capacity he was needed.

He loved sports. Through the years we would spend a good amount of time playing football, basketball, ping pong, softball etc. We also spent a good amount of time over the past decade or so watching football games together whenever we were living in the same city. It didn't matter if it was college or pro however we lost interest lately due to the decline of sportsmanship and the decline in players attitudes.

I also enjoyed the times we spent with some other close friends playing games online while living in different locations. We would play till the sun came up and then we would disperse and head to work. It wasn't even about the game really, we would chat and laugh and enjoy each others company all while making the cyber world a safer place!

We shared a lot of common interests. Cars (American Muscle), Trucks (American Trucks) and motorcycles (mainly Harley Davidsons) as well as firearms. While living in Myrtle Beach he and I both had Harleys and I'll be honest we had some really great times riding together. we would ride for a while and then get something to eat. We really did like eating and took advantage of the great places to eat. The truth of the matter is although we preferred great burgers, bar b que and seafood it really didn't matter where we were, he would always say that it was the fellowship he cared about. And it was true because when all we had on occasions was enough for dollar burgers from McDonald's or a couple hot dogs from the gas station he would always be smiling, laughing and making the most of our time spent together especially if we were living in different locations and didn't see each other as much as we would have liked. We would always laugh and talk about what we'd do once we struck it rich with the different schemes and ideas we knew would never come to fruition.

The friendship we had was held together by the faith we shared, the love for God and the respect we had for each other. We had a lot in common in regards to our religious, political and world events views and to be honest we knew that there weren't many people anymore that shared the same views we did.

The world has changed significantly since 1982 and unfortunately for the worse. So called Christians have changed over the past 4 decades and in a lot of ways not for the better.

One thing that hadn't changed was the truth and example of Christianity that he had experienced early on when he first came to our little church in the 80's. He would tell me often that no matter where he went and how long he was away, when he came back he heard and saw that same truth each time he was with us in church. That fact meant the world to me and is quite possibly the best compliment a pastor's son could hear and a pastor and his congregation could ever receive.

He would stay at my house on many occasions when he would visit over the past 15 years or so. My wife, Mark, Caleb and Sarah were blessed to have him as a guest each and every time. He loved each of them and they loved him as well. The boys and I were able to spend some great quality time together with him eating out, fishing or shooting (he and I would shoot way back in the day on my property when I lived in Tennessee and at the range in Myrtle Beach).

Out of all the things we did through the years I treasure the times we spent talking about the Lord and living for Him in this present evil world. Well brother, you are no longer in this present evil world and for that I am thankful. I will have an empty space in my heart while here on earth but I am also extremely thankful for knowing that I will see you again in eternity. Thanks for all of the memories that I have to fall back on and thanks for being such a great friend for such a long time, Brother!

My response to Mark...
Mark, this is a wonderful tribute to a special friend and to friendship at large. You said this beautifully. Your post not only honors our friend, it also points out your own special-ness as well. You have always been a loving, caring person and it was evident with our long time friend. It was important for you (and Roger and Daniel) to be there for him. He suffered so much from physical ailments, from fake friends, from uncaring relatives and from destructive "Christians."

Mark, God gave you a sensitive and loving heart, which is worth more than the accolades and awards of this world. Always let your love, tenderness, sensitivity be seen in every area of life with everyone in your life.

You provided a lifeline, a ray of hope, a human presence in your friends life. It was because of you that he visited our church body from time to time. He was always exposed to our love when he visited, but it was your constant outreach to him and your openness to him that was there all the time.

I also miss our friend, but your tribute makes the loss even more real.

He was an eager and willing helper.
He did like to be with people.
He was a person with varied abilities.
He was a person who liked other people and wanted to be liked by them.
Yet he was a person abandoned by so many. I miss him today, but I am so happy that you took the time to include him in your life.