A lost gift. Sparked memories. -Matt

I squeezed into the back of my brothers 80s mustang that morning heading to the church building across from our rival high school. The reason for seminary being there that year evades my memory, but the Grays no doubt were ready to instruct us in the ways of the Old Testament. I figured that since I was taking a math class at the high school that year that I was also entitled to attend seminary, despite being in the 8th grade. A guy next to me in the class had noticed my black Reeboks with white curved strips coming up the side. Good shoes he said. He had previously had the same pair.

/flash

Mr. Kirkpatrick gave both of us the space to do what we wanted in the course. We both excelled. Pascal on the old Mac had some rough areas, yet the games we created were most certainly beyond the level of beginning high school programming.

/flash

The Seventh Day Adventists camp the stake rented out was nice. I learned a new verse to the "bottles of beer on the wall" song during that bus ride which counts back up after you finally reach zero. Others were not amused - it was all about them thinking we were *finally* done and seeing their reaction as the new verse emerged.

We talked of life and worlds, even made plans for our own. We decided on a few specifics which I no longer recall.

/flash

The instruction given was that if you encounter someone up close you give them the option to "surrender or die" rather than blasting them. Paintball shots at close range were not healthy. I turned the corner in the cave and we stood pointing our guns at each other. I was the first to say it. Surrender or die. "I'm saying the same thing to you" came his response. We exchanged a barrage of point blank shots - and each of us staggered back in pain. Fool. I said it first.

/flash

The van we were in was huge, and we sat parked waiting for the buyer. A guy standing on the corner was watching us out of the corner of his eye. A car slid into the spot left of us and the buyer emerged, who looked just like Italian mafia. My friend handed him the small bag of ram, counted the cash he received in exchange, and hopped back into the van. The guy on the corner had a grin on his face.

/flash

I carried a poem he wrote in my wallet and he probably never knew it. I liked reading it. He'd sent me a document containing a few of his works, which I admired greatly. Incredible talent.

/flash

I tried to get the word out to vote. People like us didn't become homecoming king. He somehow managed to be dating the captain of the cheerleading squad and actually had a real chance, it would have made a statement. C'est la vie.

/flash

We were heading West on Union Hills toward Arrowhead mall in a small truck when "My Best Friend's Girlfriend (she used to be mine)" came on the radio. "How ironic" is all he said to break the silence. He had a date planned with my high school flame - which at the time wasn't burning so well.

/flash

Two almost sequential church missions came and went. Every time I received a letter with the title "Master" added before my name I would grin. It never got old. We managed to keep the lines of communication open.

/flash

New years eve - almost a tradition of sorts when obtainable. Erin and I played Tigris and Euphrates with him and his wife. Awesome game. Those were some good snacks.

/flash (12/24/2008)

My parents came over to exchange Christmas presents. My dad handed me a battered letter attached to a small package addressed to Mister and Missus Matthew L Whitmer. "We are as curious as you are" was all the explanation I received. I opened the letter and to my surprise discovered it to be a marriage gift, almost 4 years lost, which had turned up in the door of my dad's van.


It was a gift from Kenny and Aprilynne Pike, and has gone without our thanks for all this time. The book "The Richest Man In Babylon" accompanied the letter, with an old check which now acts as a unique bookmarker, perfect for such a book.


Above are a few of my favorite memories with Kenny. Let this serve as the long overdue thanks for the lost gift.


Check out Kenny's blog (http://www.kennethpike.com/) and pre-order Aprilynne's book - I'm definitely excited for it (http://www.amazon.com/Wings-Aprilynne-Pike/dp/0061668036/)



(SEE YOU IN THE ASYLUM)