BlairBlog

In Memory of…

Posted on 05. Mar, 2006 by Blair in Uncategorized

Memory is an interesting thing. I am the kind that tends to only walk down memory lane when I have a few minutes to relive stories of the past. I don’t usually give myself the credit for having a good memory, until I start telling the stories of my life. Yesterday was one of those kind of days. Christie, Sally and I were driving around in South County yesterday looking for places where Christie could shoot photos. We were working our way back home and Sally got pretty cranky about being in her car seat. We decided to stop at a park and just get out for a bit so we could all stretch our legs and play for a bit. I was looking for Heritage Park that I used to go to as a child, but could not find it. So then I said we could go to Harvard Park also close to where I grew up, but there is no playground there… so I said lets just go into College Park where my family lived in Irvine, since I know there is a park in there. We parked on Mayten, and had some fun play time. While we were playing with Sally, Christie and I were talking about the place and the time in my life. I told her about the Martin family and the part they had played in my life. When we were done at the park I though maybe we should just pop in and say hello, so we did.

John & Linda Martin lost their son Little John not long ago. John was a bit younger than me, and over the years we were not really close friends, but we were a sort of extended family. Our families had a shared history, and that could never change. Our impromptu visit to the Martin house in Irvine, came at what I believe was a God moment. One of synchronicity. Without remembering we had arrived at their home on John

s birthday weekend. In fact today would have been his birthday. Linda was immediately moved to tears to see us standing at her front door, since in cleaning her house she had just dusted a bible my dad had given their family. She was thinking of our family and then here we were standing there. She was able to talk and to cry and to share what her family has been through both good and bad in the last few years. I was glad that God had used my family in that moment to give Linda a safe place to cry and remember.

John and I had not seen each other in a few years before his passing. We were not particularly close, but we shared a bond of brotherhood in Christ. I know that one day our families will all gather in heaven and relive the moments shared in the late 70’s & early 80’s in Irvine, California. We will talk of moments like John having mashed potatoes all over his face, races won and lost, and two families in one house while we looked for a place to live. We will also talk of all the good memories that have gone on after those times. Most of all we will just be able to remember. So I dedicate this post to Little John and his wonderful family. You are in my thoughts and prayers today.