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Matthew was a very sweet, gentle loving person.
He loved to help people, and often volunteered his assistance if he saw a stranger in need. He is missed beyond measure.
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A young couple, friends of Matthew, spoke at his funeral and told about the time Matthew had accompanied them to the store to get some supplies because he needed to purchase a pack of cigarettes. The woman had picked up a toy rattle for her infant, along with the groceries. When her purchases were added up, she did not have enough money to pay for everything, and said she would put the toy back. Matthew would have none of that, and returned his pack of cigarettes so he could give the young lady enough money to pay for the rattle. She tried to protest, but Matthew insisted, because that "baby needed that rattle far more than he needed those cigarettes." That was Matthew. No one who knew him was surprised at his generiousity.
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When Matthew was about 10 years old, I walked into his bedroom unannounced and he quickly hid something behind his back. Whatever had I caught him with , I wondered. He absolutely, positively did not want to show me what he had hidden. I had a physical struggle with him to find out what he was so intent on hiding from me. It broke my heart to find out it was his shoe. The sole had started to separate from the top, and he was attempting to tape it back together with duct tape. When I questioned why he was hiding this from me, he said because he knew he could make his shoe last longer, so I wouldn't have to find some money to buy him another pair.
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Also when Matthew was about 10, one beautiful summer day he came in with one of his biggest grins, and very proudly, with a big flourish, presented me with a pasta shell covered jewelry box that he had found at a neighbors garage sale. He did not have any money to pay for it, so the neighbor let Matthew work for the payment. I still have that jewelry box today, and treasure it immensely
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When Matthew was 16, the police came knocking on my door one morning. Could they speak with Matthew, because his best friend had run away from home and his parents were really concerned. They wanted to question him to see if he knew where his friend had gone. When I went to awake him, I found a note on his bed, Sorry Mom, don't worry, I had to go with my friend to make sure he would be okay. Don't worry, I'll be home soon. The next day the boys were arrested by the railroad police, caught leaving the railroad property after riding the rails from California to Oregon and back. My first reaction was to hug him close, before grounding him for the rest of the summer.
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Memories from Matthew's Grandma
I remember the time Matthew was visiting me, his Grandmother. It seemed to me at that time that even though he was a very young Toddler his logic was that of a much older person. We were living in an RV and traveled most of the year, Matthew was visiting us. I needed to change my clothes so I closed the folding door that led to the bedroom/bathroom. Matthew was asked to wait in the Living Room Kitchen area. There was no convincing him that it was okay for him to be in another room for a jiffy. Before I had a chance to open the folding door, I knew he was trying to figure out just how to open this strange door. When that failed he then, tried unsuccessfully, to get under the door in a space of about two inches.
Another incident. We were on a Camping trip with several of our family members, including our daughters and their families. The bathrooms near our campsites were the portable types. Matthew was still a Toddler but was old enough to go to the potty by himself. He came running, almost out of breath, very excited into the trailer, where his Mother and I were fixing lunch, exclaming,"Mom, there was a Lizard, which came into the toilet while I was in there. Mom, I sure hope it was a boy!"
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I will be adding to this page as I'm able.
