A Beautifully Written Tribute To A Great Man

I wanted to share with all of my readers the beautiful obituary that Matthew's best friend, Dan wrote. I was going to post it earlier, but life has a funny way of keeping me really busy lately.  

Matthew Aaron Compton

May 27, 1982 - October 7, 2012

KEIZER - Matthew Aaron Compton passed away quickly and comfortably after a long battle with Cancer. He was surrounded by a subset of his many friends and family who honored him in his final moments as he wished.

Matt attended Whiteaker Middle School, McNary High School, and served four years in the U.S. Coast Guard at the National Motor Lifeboat School. Matt also earned a degree at WyoTech College chasing one of the many passions he had; precision, high-performance metalwork and custom fabrication.

Matt married the love of his life, Bethany, in 2012. They met in Math class at McNary and enjoyed many adventures together since. Up or down, thick or thin, and no matter the physical distance imposed upon them during their journey, they never left each others side.

Among the infinite things Matt was: a man to help build an impossible contraption with, a best friend in good times and bad, a man to share a campfire in the wilderness under the stars, a man who knew the right way to do something and had the fortitude to see it through properly; Matt was a true Renaissance man.

Matt is survived a large and loving family, including his wife Bethany, his mother Jenny, his father Bruce, his step-mother Lori, his step-father Mark, many step-brothers and step-sisters, as well as in-laws. Matt always regarded everyone within his family with love regardless of how they got there. Matt is also missed by his dog, Luna.

Matt was an amazing light in the universe; always a force for Good, a loyal and humble companion who always knew just what those around him needed. Matt's song came to an end far too soon, but his energy and the ripples he made amongst those who knew him will be carried always. May he Rest in Peace.

It All Started With A Picture...

If you missed this post here then this blog post won't make a whole lot of sense. 



The night that my Matthew passed away, I gathered in the garage of my parents house with a few of my siblings and close friends. We poured a shot in Matthew's honor and toasted him a time or two. 

One of his good friends Brad and I were talking, and he said he thought things were not right when people started posting pictures, before another good friend called to tell him the news.

I had no idea what he was talking about.

Apparently on Facebook, some of Matthew's oldest friends started posting and sharing pictures of him on Facebook. It started with one, then another, then another... 

When I got home in the early hours of the morning I got on Facebook and saw a beautiful thing. Pictures of Matthew that I'd never seen before. Pictures of him when he was young, happy and cancer free. So I posted a status saying that I was loving all the pictures being posted and that I would love it if anyone had a picture to share if they would post it and tag me. 

I wasn't exactly prepared for what happened next. 

courtesy of Tillman Bennett

courtesy of Tillman Bennett

courtesy of Tillman Bennett

  

courtesy of Derek Gerwig

courtesy of Derek Gerwig

courtesy of Terra Prange

 courtesy of Terra Prange

courtesy of Tillman Bennett

courtesy of Tillman Bennett

courtesy of Seana Kansier

courtesy of Seana Kansier

courtesy of Seana Kansier

 courtesy of Seana Kansier

courtesy of Brandy Jeanne

courtesy of Brandy Jeanne

 courtesy of Brad Beverly

courtesy of Kim Fraizer

courtesy of Christine Breckenridge

courtesy of Christine Breckenridge

courtesy of Christine Breckenridge

courtesy of Christine Breckenridge

courtesy of Melissa Garner

courtesy of Melissa Garner

courtesy of Melissa Garner

courtesy of Melissa Garner

courtesy of Melissa Garner

courtesy of Tillman Bennett

courtesy of Tony Carillo

courtesy of Cheri Kincaid

courtesy of Rosemary Pohlenz

courtesy of Rosemary Pohlenz

courtesy of Traci Cook

Everyone started sharing pictures! 

It was wonderful to see the captions that people posted with them, and the comments. It's so evident how much he was loved and how much he will be missed. Every picture that was posted felt like a hug from the person that posted it and it made my heart smile.

I'd like to thank everyone that reads this blog for all of their support. It means so much to me that my family and I are in your thoughts and prayers. Thank you!

Good Bye and Good Luck

Today I packed the last of my belongings into the EEP, left my keys on the counter and left Springfield behind. 

Honestly, the past couple days have felt so strange to me. It's weird to suddenly pick up everything, stop the life that you have built for yourself and move into a situation that's less than ideal. Not that I am not happy living in my new arrangement, but I'm not happy with they WHY of my new arrangement. 

Part of the unhappiness stems from stopping the life that I've built, the people that I have met and grown to love. 

It's amazing to me that in five years I've made so many connections in the Eugene/Springfield area that it actually hurts to let it all go. When I moved to Eugene, I knew two people, Matthew and Tim. But I met so many more so quickly that I soon felt at home. 

Eugene has a different vibe to it. It's much more laid back and casual. People are friendly and warm, although extremely opinionated. 

And right now I'm actually missing my Macy's girls, especially the Shoe Crew. Holly, Autumn, Sarita, Laura, Kayla, Christina and Brandi are some of the best co-workers a girl could ask for. They all have unique souls and I am blessed to know each of them, and appreciate them for the wonderful things that they've brought to my life. They have been my shoulders to cry on. They have heard me vent about life and stupid customers. They've given me some of the best hugs when I've needed them the most. They've told my hilarious stories about their kids, latest nights out and other interesting tidbits from their lives. They have been the perfect distractions when I've needed it the most. They have made my day on numerous occasions. I can't seem to say enough about them so I'll quit while I'm ahead. 

I can't forget to mention my other Macy's ladies, who also have made it a point to ask me about my day and let me know that they've been thinking about me. The lovely Lisa,  who has one of the most cheerful souls I've ever known. Marce, who became such a fast friend, and such a pleasure to know. Renee, who always wants to know how I've been doing, and checks my Facebook often (and makes amazing cupcakes!!) Laura and Shari, who always went out of their way to say hi. Amber, who has the most adorable son on the planet, who is going to also be leaving Macy's soon (and who I wish the best of luck to.) Mindy, who has been one of my biggest cheerleaders through life's recent events, and who always has a story that will make me giggle. Diana, who has dubbed Gracie and I trouble 1 & 2, and is such a lovely lady. Brandy S. who always made it a point to say hello to me. And I can't forget to mention Rachel, who is hands down the nicest, sweetest person on the planet. (I'm so not kidding, I've never met another person who is truly, genuinely as kind.)

There are many other Macy's ladies, who I probably forgot to mention, that are just as wonderful. The Eugene store was the first place that I've worked at where people were just as pleasant to their co-workers as they are to their customers. I'm going to miss everybody. 

I guess this is my way of saying good bye. And to return all the well wishes that I left the store with on Friday. I really do love you all. So good bye and good luck, my friends.