Post by gordonbunting on Oct 29, 2004 12:24:45 GMT -5
Lessons in 80’s music, Auto Repair and Fine Wine with Mark Cameron
I was stunned to hear tonight from Chris Lange about Mark’s accident. A little out of the loop, I knew Mark best in middle school and high school as a friend of Chris Lange.
I saw him first in a snapshot Chris had of them both canoeing. Both are around 6 I would guess, trying to out flex each other in life jackets that hang somewhere south of their knees. (This is before Mark’s power lifting days and tanning sessions.)
Chris was always the conduit for my adventures with Mark. One notable evening involved driving around in the middle of winter, in the passenger seat of Mark’s K-5 Blazer (with no heat as I remember) while Chris snuck a unnamed party out of her house and into the back seat. Mark had brought along a Yaz tape, Upstairs at Eric’s, so we listened to the album as we drove around, and listened to Yaz, and drove around, and listened to Yaz. Mark brought along the Yaz tape because it was stuck in the player and he couldn’t retrieve it. If you wanted to listen to music it was going to be Yaz. I had snuck a bottle of gift wine my parents had offered the previous Christmas and I had hidden under the house for 10 months but it was too cold (or more likely too terrible) to drink. We probably drank something but I just remember curling up in the seat, talking with Mark, jealous of Chris, freezing I disagree off, listening to Yaz.
My first experience meeting his family was brief but clouded by my participation in snapping the leaf spring on his Blazer. I didn’t know what a leaf spring was, where it was at the time but found out you can snap one driving fast in a field in a K-5 blazer. His Dad was a little surprised- I guess Blazers have tough leaf springs.
The third lesson happened later, after years and miles separated our paths. I was back in Kansas on a visit and heard through Chris that we were going to get together with Cameron again. Upon seeing me, he presented me with the muddy bottle of wine from the cold night in Yaz hell. Kept safe somewhere under his bed or closet, the wine had aged poorly. It had even survived a surprise raid by his Mom who may have been curious why a dirty, dank bottle of cheap wine was stashed so carefully. Again, I don’t remember the wine but the sentiment.
Mark is one of rare individuals that you like and respect the first time you meet him. (You may be sneaking out of a house, borrowing a golf cart, shooting sparrows, but you’d trust him to do the right thing and be a true friend.) I always had the sense that Mark came from a very loving and supportive family and the web page demonstrates that – his family seems to include everyone that meets him.
When I thought about Mark’s injury, the thought crossed my mind about how I’d react with such an accident. I realized that among the people I’ve known in my life, Mark would be the person I would want at my bedside encouraging me through the process of recovery. His sense of humor, compassion and strength would help me shoulder the load and move forward.
I have no doubt, Mark, that you will overcome this burden and move forward. Life doesn’t give you what you can’t handle and I know you are strong. From reading the web pages, you have a lot of support behind you.
My thoughts are with you my friend.
I will be in touch.
Gordon Bunting
I was stunned to hear tonight from Chris Lange about Mark’s accident. A little out of the loop, I knew Mark best in middle school and high school as a friend of Chris Lange.
I saw him first in a snapshot Chris had of them both canoeing. Both are around 6 I would guess, trying to out flex each other in life jackets that hang somewhere south of their knees. (This is before Mark’s power lifting days and tanning sessions.)
Chris was always the conduit for my adventures with Mark. One notable evening involved driving around in the middle of winter, in the passenger seat of Mark’s K-5 Blazer (with no heat as I remember) while Chris snuck a unnamed party out of her house and into the back seat. Mark had brought along a Yaz tape, Upstairs at Eric’s, so we listened to the album as we drove around, and listened to Yaz, and drove around, and listened to Yaz. Mark brought along the Yaz tape because it was stuck in the player and he couldn’t retrieve it. If you wanted to listen to music it was going to be Yaz. I had snuck a bottle of gift wine my parents had offered the previous Christmas and I had hidden under the house for 10 months but it was too cold (or more likely too terrible) to drink. We probably drank something but I just remember curling up in the seat, talking with Mark, jealous of Chris, freezing I disagree off, listening to Yaz.
My first experience meeting his family was brief but clouded by my participation in snapping the leaf spring on his Blazer. I didn’t know what a leaf spring was, where it was at the time but found out you can snap one driving fast in a field in a K-5 blazer. His Dad was a little surprised- I guess Blazers have tough leaf springs.
The third lesson happened later, after years and miles separated our paths. I was back in Kansas on a visit and heard through Chris that we were going to get together with Cameron again. Upon seeing me, he presented me with the muddy bottle of wine from the cold night in Yaz hell. Kept safe somewhere under his bed or closet, the wine had aged poorly. It had even survived a surprise raid by his Mom who may have been curious why a dirty, dank bottle of cheap wine was stashed so carefully. Again, I don’t remember the wine but the sentiment.
Mark is one of rare individuals that you like and respect the first time you meet him. (You may be sneaking out of a house, borrowing a golf cart, shooting sparrows, but you’d trust him to do the right thing and be a true friend.) I always had the sense that Mark came from a very loving and supportive family and the web page demonstrates that – his family seems to include everyone that meets him.
When I thought about Mark’s injury, the thought crossed my mind about how I’d react with such an accident. I realized that among the people I’ve known in my life, Mark would be the person I would want at my bedside encouraging me through the process of recovery. His sense of humor, compassion and strength would help me shoulder the load and move forward.
I have no doubt, Mark, that you will overcome this burden and move forward. Life doesn’t give you what you can’t handle and I know you are strong. From reading the web pages, you have a lot of support behind you.
My thoughts are with you my friend.
I will be in touch.
Gordon Bunting