I found out a couple of days ago that a good friend of mine committed suicide. He was dealing with depression and anxiety. I can't even imagine what he was going through.
I met him my sophomore year in an anthropology class together. I NEVER make friends at school. I'm too quiet. Mark wasn't like that. He was an outgoing, funny, smart and tall redhead. I remember saying something about being Mormon or about my religion and he replied with a snarky comment. And then he apologized for being snarky. I didn't even know what that word meant but I got the gist of it. {I may have had to actually look it up later} Every time I hear the word snarky I think of him. I just thought of it the other day. It's a part of my vocabulary now. Thank you Mark.
Mark was my one friend who I was brave enough to share the gospel with. He was my one friend who was open enough to listen. He even took a few of the discussions. I loved going to the discussions with him. He had such insightful questions to ask. I remember the first time he told me that he finally understood what Mormons meant when they said they felt "warm fuzzies" He made me look at my beliefs in a different way. He helped my testimony to grow. He read some of the Book of Mormon. He prayed. He said the best prayers. They weren't anything like how I pray. He talked to God like they were best friends. I loved that. I must admit that I laughed a little when I heard him pray for the first time because it was so different. But why don't we talk to God like he's our best friend? He is. He knows us better than anyone else. He sent His Son to die for our sins so that we could be with Him again. I hope that Mark always talked to God like that. I know that God was there with him during his hard times. I hope that he can hear the message of the gospel again.
Mark and I talked about all kind of things. Religion, relationships, politics, and lots other stuff. We would go get Einstein's Bagels or hot chocolate and chat for hours. We weren't friends for long but he was definitely someone who impacted my life for good. Thank you Mark Wooldridge for the wonderful life that you lived. Thanks for your example and for making me smile! You and your family will be in my prayers.
It is really hard losing a friend but I am so grateful for the Plan of Happiness. God seriously planned everything out so well. It amazes me. This is the first time I have lost someone close to me and it is not easy but it does make me very grateful to have a testimony of God's plan for me and for everyone on this earth. Mark, you are still strengthening my testimony. Thank you.
Mark and I at a YSA dance. November 2009:
