If you're a lucky person, at some point you develop a relationship with someone who burns brightly in your life. You share a passion for life that may not be understood by others. For me, one of those people was my dear friend, Matthew.
Together we sought the labyrinth at Chartes and we walked the red light district of Amsterdam.We baked in the Honduran sun and we hunched against the cold wind at the Eiffel Tower. We hiked the Guatemalan jungle and marveled at the ancient footprints in Managua, Nicaragua. We laughed at the airport in El Salvador and at the train station in Brussels. We took trains, planes, automobiles, subways, taxis, trams and busses.
Inbetween we lay awake deep into the night and talked about things never spoken aloud except by travelers in hotel rooms in foreign lands. It was Matthew who looked into my being and stated the obvious that had been overlooked by everyone else. We bought matching jewelry to commemorate coming through difficult times and picked up rocks to remember happy times. We shared each other's joys and kept each other's secrets. I was never sure if either of us was traveling to find something or to forget something, or if it mattered.
Then a few years ago, life's journey brought Matthew to a place where he found something he wanted to stay still for - seminary and the boat he loved, and we didn't travel together anymore although we stayed in contact. Then about a year ago he married long time friend, Lora, and they have been on a journey together that seemed a happy one.
Matthew embarked on a new journey today as he passed from this world. I am so thankful for the time I shared in his bright light.
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Monday, July 20, 2009
Rest in Peace Matthew Thompson
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2 comments:
What a loving, touching, tribute to your friend, Matthew. I know you will miss him, but you have wonderful memories to comfort you.
Marie
Patsy ~
I am so sorry that I never had the opportunity to meet Matthew. I have heard so much about him from you and Greg that I almost feel as if I knew him. The world is a richer place for having harbored him a while, and a poorer one for having lost him so early. I'll be thinking about you, my friend.
~Mia
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