Dear Mark,

I am sorry that you are gone. Why didn't you wear your damn helmet? I have picked out this corvette for you to ride off into eternity in. I am sorry that the engine sounds like it does, but what can you do about a car with wings? I imagine you can work on it and you'll spend your time doing something constructive.

Thank you for being a good friend to me. I loved being able to talk to you about anything and everything at work without judgement. You encouraged me to take chances when I was feeling timid. You reminded me that life just wasn't that serious. What I would give right now to hear you say for the millionth time, "Sew buttons on a balloon, get a bang outta life." Well, that is exactly what you did. You lived well, you did so many things and you were just embarking on another adventurous chapter.

I will keep an eye on Louie for you. He misses you terribly and he keeps saying, "Fifteen years, I love him so much, I wanted to hear him tell me he got that promotion....This is terrible, he loves you all so much." He needed you to take care of him and he is so small and fragile I just can't imagine what he will do without your strength. He and your family all loved you so very much. Thank you for sharing them. Oh, yeah, and they said to stop hogging all Grandma's mashed potatoes.

I am glad that I was lucky enough to be your friend. I love you.

Laura