I wish I had the Privilege of meeting you. / Chelsey Whitfield (Friend of the parents )
Mark, I never had the chance to meet you, but I feel as if I know you. I am writing this to you, because I know you are watching us from heaven. I had the privilege to meet your parents in Cabo San Lucas, six months before you left to heaven. Your parents loved you and cared about you very much. Over a short week long trip, I felt as if I knew you and Heather very well and we were apart of your family. Your parents and Greg and I had decided that the next year they would bring you and Heather to join them and we would all go to Cabo together. I didn't have the privilege to meet you and go to Cabo with you, but I know that someday we will meet in Heaven and we will go on our vacation together. You are a special person and you come from a very special family. Love always Chels
Our thoughts and prayers... / McKenzie Harrigan (My brother played basketball with Mark in HS ) I remember seeing Robin not too long ago and her thanking me for my message on the memorial webpage not long after Mark had passed. What an amazing family! It was the LEAST I could do, and to have Robin come and thank me like that and not really know me meant so much...My brother Patrick always got the biggest kick out of Mark on their basketball trips. He thought Mark, Sean and Cody were the three funniest kids to be around! Thank you Mark for being that release that he so needed during the season. I hope he was just as helpful to you as you unknowingly were to him. My families thoughts and prayers go out to the Martinez's always.
You are missed / Ruth McIntosh (Sousa) (Friend) First let me express my deepest condolences to you, the family. I had known Mark since the beginning of high school. Mark had the biggest heart and he would let everyone in no matter what. He had such a great soul and an awesome passion for life. I went to most of the baseball and basketball games every year and it was so great to see him play because he put everything he had into it.
It was a pleasure knowing you Mark. You are loved and missed, but I know that you are watching over all of us from Heaven.
~~Ruth
Stars in Heaven / Mary Casper-Noriz (friend)
Perhaps they are not the stars, but rather openings in Heaven where the love of our lost ones shines down to let us know they are with us. Robin, Luis, Heather, and Chris: The past few days here have been some of the hardest times and also some of the most wonderfull. When I got of the plane from Orange County I was scared and didn't know what to expect, after arriving and spending this time with you,your friends and family (so many many of them...)this has turned out to be one of the most amazing experiences in my life. Watching you as a Christian family, together go through this most difficult time with such Grace, Love, and Faith. The love that you share with so many was very apperant today at the "standing room only" service. That was the most beutufill service I have ever exeperienced. I want to thank you for being role models to me, I know your pain is great and I also know that your faith is strong. Mark was a wonderfull man and he is in our hearts now and forever. I love you guys! Mary
Invisible children / Kurt And Krista Cornell (Friends of Heathers ) I have donated $250.00 to Invisible Children in honor of and in loving memory of your son/brother Mark. I wanted to do something on this day to show my love and sympathy for you.. Luis and Robin, I really don't know you ( only having met you a couple of times) but you have been in my thoughts and prayers much over the last year. I really don't know what to say, except that as a fellow brother-in-Christ, I have mourned with you, and have carried you often to our Lord on my knees. Heather, you know how much I love you. I know that Invisible Children is a very important cause for you, so I thought what better way to honor your brother than to help these forgotten children. Robin, it also sparked a memory from Mark's memorial service where the pastor referred to you as the "Mother to the Lost Boys," so I felt that it would be appropriate in this way as well. I will be praying for you especially today..
Love, Kurt (& Krista, and Nate and Anna) fellow jars of clay.
My Friend / Michele Bochenski Robin, Luis, and Heather - I don't even know where to begin. Mark was such an amazing person and friend! He had the biggest heart and always looked for the best in everyone, no matter what anyone else thought. I loved watching him play basketball, baseball, and softball. His athletic ability and talent along with his amazing attitude while on the court or field is what made him such a thrill to watch. Mark was loved by so many people and we are all going to miss him terribly. My heart and prayers go out to you all at this terrible time. Just know that Mark is now looking down on all of us just waiting to see us and be with us again in heaven. I love you Mark! I'll see you in heaven. Goodbye :-(
Elementary School / Christie Stewart (Friend) I went through elementary school with Mark. Mark was one of the funniest people I ever met. He and Joe Fronk were best friends and our \"group\" of friends was in-seperatable. I will never forget our sixth grade year when we \"ruled\" the school. Mark and I were both in Mr. Machado\'s class our sixth grade year, and I will never forget a day when Mark would not stop talking, so Mr. Machado picked him up and sat him on top of the TV in our classroom. We always thought that Mark had the coolest parents because he was allowed to draw on his bedrooms walls with chalk. Mark could make anybody smile, and always did. We lost touch after sixth grade, and only saw eachother now and then, but when we would run into eachother, it was as if nothing had ever changed. Mark will always be in my memories and prayers, and I will never forget the caring and funny person that he was
Elmcrest boys / Debbie Hajec (Friend) Dear Robin, Luis, and Heather...So many memories come flooding back about Mark and James. The old days, the old neighborhood...The Elmcrest boys were special...different, unspoiled, and really kind. Mark was really kind. All of us who knew him from the neighborhood to McQueen loved him. I remember how he use to get a kick out of it when I told him that my friend Christy Sperry and I would go to the games just to root for him and Cody. I'm glad I told him. Bebo, and Katie send their love to you all. Love, Debbie Hajec
"I'll lend for you a little time A child of Mine", He said "For you to love while he lives And mourn for when he is dead. It may be six or seven years, Or twenty-two or three, But will you, tille I call him back, Take care of him for Me?
He'll bring his charms to gladd you, And should his stay be brief, You'll have his lovely memories As solace for your grief. " I cannot promise he will stay, Since all from Earth return, But there are lessons taught down there I want this child to learn.
I've looked this wide world over In My search for teachers true, And from the throngs that crowd life's lanes, I have selected you. Now will you give him all your love, Nor think the labor vain, Nor hate Me when I come to call And take him back again?".
I fancied that I heard them say, "Dear Lord, Thy will be done, For all the joy Thy child shall bring For the risk of grief we'll run, We'll shelter him with tenderness, We'll love him while we may, And for the happiness we've known, For ever grateful stay.
But should the angels call for him Much sooner than we planned, We'll brave the bitter grief that comes And try to understand".
Robin, just want you to know that I have been thinking and praying for you and your family.
A fine young man / Ron And Doreen Penrose (friends)Read >>
A fine young man / Ron And Doreen Penrose (friends)
Mark was a great kid and young man with a lot of heart and determination. Our prayers go out to you.- Ron, Doreen, Luke and Sarah Penrose Close
thinking of you / David Moore (Friend of parents )Read >>
thinking of you / David Moore (Friend of parents )
Dear Robin, Luis and Heather, My heart and prayers go out for you as we approach one year now of your loss of your beloved son & brother, Mark. I just read some of the entries and also listened to the song \"I Can Only Imagine\", and I too can only imagine what it will be like. May God contine to comfort your hearts as you remember your dear Mark. God bless you. Love in Christ Close
Happy Birthday Son, I know your birthday was your favorite day of the year. I laid in bed last night thinking of all your birthdays. The first one where we had a clown come to the house, and we let you dive into your cake with your hands. And most memorable was your 21st where Walt stopped the softball game to give you that silly shirt and that cap with the propellor on it. (Ryan still has it) and the softball team sprayed you with silly string. But my biggest memory was last year when you and I went to Idlewild park and just talked. It was there that you told me that you had dreamed many times that you would die young and for me to be strong when it happened. It was then that you told me that I was your best friend and that you knew we had a special connection. I am trying to be strong, but as you said, I not only lost my son, I lost my best friend. The softball tournament this weekend was so amazing.. There were so many of your friends out there honoring your memory. I am sure you were watching over the game and saw James, Chris, and Ryan playing their hearts out for you. I know you are up there in Heaven finding joy in how many people love you. You friends bring me so much joy. Happy Birthday, my beautiful son. I love you and I miss you more then you can imagine Not a minute goes by that I don’t think about how much joy you gave me in the 21 years that God let me have you on this earth. Till we meet again in Heaven... All my love, Mom
Softball Tournament / Jenny Drew (Friend)
Mark was a great friend. This weekend when we played slo pitch softball in memory of mark, it just made me think what a great ball player he was and his love for the game. he would have loved to be out there. i thank u luis and robin for letting me play and can't wait til we get to play again next year. we won because mark was watching us. you both are great people and i will see ya guys soon Close
to my Adoptive mom and Dad / Jeff Alford (Adopted Big Brother )Read >>
to my Adoptive mom and Dad / Jeff Alford (Adopted Big Brother )
Hey all. Here I'm sitting at midnight with my family put to bed and I just checked my email and got one from you. I have been telling myself to sit down and look at this site for some time now and it has either just slipped my mind or I just plain didn't have the time. After seeing the link in your signature, I sat down to read some comments and just spend some time (so to speak) with you guys, Mark and God before I go to bed. The story I have for you is just my perspective on your family and me being a part of it. First off, you cannot believe how proud I am that I am introduced as your first adopted son. Especially just because you guys are such great people and to be part of your family is very special indeed. The next part of my story is a little bit of regret. I read about how great a person Mark was and regret not knowing him at all. Yes we played around when I lived you (another lifetime ago it seems) but he grew up into this great young man that I didn't really know at all and that makes me sad and have a little bit of regret. I am very glad when you saw Kobe Bryant that you told him that story and he reacted the way he did. Reading your story made me feel a litle better after feeling pretty down about not knowing your son very well. Lastly, coming up for the service and listening and watching Heather speak really hit home to me. Life is about the relationships you make along the way and being up there for the service made me rekindle a couple that had been broken and also reaffirm my love for you guys. Life has a way of getting by you because of work and everything else. There isn't anything I can tell you to make the hurt go away, but just know that we all love you and are praying for you. I can't wait until the family and I can come visit again. Take care and we love you! The Alford's Close
Luis and Robin / Will Coonen (Friend of Luis and Robin )Read >>
Luis and Robin / Will Coonen (Friend of Luis and Robin )
Luis, Robin & Heather, I was told last night of the news of Mark's passing, and while we have not been in touch with each other in some time, I wanted to express how sorry I am to hear of your loss. I remember the times helping Mark with his pitching form and all the fun all of us had playing softball together. It was obvious to me that Mark was going to excel at whatever athletic endeavor he attempted, and from the remarks I have read he became just as fine a young man as he was an athlete. As I'm sure you know, Maureen and I lost Caty 2 years ago this July 3rd. I know what you are going through, and can only tell you that the pain eases with time, but of course never goes away, nor should it. God had plans for my Catygirl and has plans for Mark. It's not for us to make sense of or understand. What gets me through each day is the realization that everything happens for a reason and that time, and God will get you through this. I am convinced that Caty had done what she was put her to do in 12 years, and can only hope that it helps you all to know that it seems that the same was true of Mark. As someone who has been where you are now, I hope any of what I've said here helps you in this time. You are all in our prayers. Will, Elizabeth and Ian Close
To Luis and Robin / Maureen Coonen (Friend)Read >>
To Luis and Robin / Maureen Coonen (Friend)
Dear Robin, Luis and Heather, I have only just heard of your loss. I am SO SO sorry... To see Mark's picture here as I write to you is making what I want to write so hard to put into words. I see in him here, the small boy he once was, I read all the wonderful memories he has left....I can only imagine the young man he had grown to be in the last 10yrs. Its so easy to question things isnt it? I know you still must be in shock. I am praying for you all. Im asking God to help lift you from your bed of sorrow. Only your faith will get you through this. I am thinking of you all and hope sometime soon you can feel you are not victims of this loss but survivors. I am living my life for God so I can be sure Im going to be with our angels. Love Always, Maureen Close
Tio and Tia / Maria Estrada (Cousin)
I would like to start by letting you guys know how sad I am to hear about Mark. My memory of Mark is special! All though I didn't get to see much of Mark I remember his smile he was a very kind person and someone with a big heart. I am so glad we had the opportunity to spend the time we did on his last visit to Mexicali. He looked very happy to be with the family and you could tell he was having a great time. He will forever be in our hearts. I am so sorry you guys havetoo bare this pain. I'm sure he will be with you guys in spirit. I send my love to all of you Close
Robin and Luis / Glen And Cindy Crawford (Friends)Read >>
Robin and Luis / Glen And Cindy Crawford (Friends)
Dear Luis, Robin and Heather, Jesus said to His disciples close to the end of His earthly ministry, \"In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.\" May He be your immeasurable source of strength in time of need, and your source of unexplanable peace. We have been in continuous prayer for your family and we have been grieving also. We hope for an opportunity to see all of you soon. In Christ\'s love, Glenn, Cindy, Ryan and Jordan
Leghorn foghorn / Mitch And Ellen Boggs
Robin, Luis, Heather and Chris, We love you all so very much and share in your pain. You are family to us and always will be. Thank you for allowing us the honor to be with you through these last few days, day in and day out. I know Mark is in Heaven, looking down on all of us and smiling. Proud of the win on Monday night and looking forward to watching over more games. With all of our love, Mitch, Ellen, Dalyce, Autumn and Seth Close
Mark/ Victoria Bugenig (Friend)
When I think of Mark, I think of what a wonderful spirit he had. I think of his laugh and his smile. Although I will miss him, I know that his joy will live on in the hearts of those he loved and that loved him. Close
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