Some people come into our lives and quickly go. Some people move our souls to dance. They awaken us to a new understanding with the passing whisper of their wisdom. Some people make the sky more beautiful to gaze upon. They stay in our lives for awhile, leave footprints on our hearts, and we are never, ever the same. (Flavia Weeden)

Mark was a friend who touched my heart with his spirit and genuineness and his memory will always be with me.

As freshmen at Cate, we started out as a small group of 13 and 14 year olds suddenly removed from the routine of our childhood, the comfort of our parents and privacy of our own bedrooms.  Some of us had familiarity of Cate through the legacy of older brothers, others did not. Our lives were quickly altered when we were suddenly living in a semi secluded world located up on a mesa with roommates.  We were basically given a schedule for classes, eating, sports, chores and lights out.  Having suddenly been removed from familiarity, we as freshmen quickly developed a bond that regardless of how personally we got to know each other in such a short time, we shared common ground that we were the ‘newbies’, the new kids on the block.  We were awkward at first but over time we individually developed confidence that allowed us to test the waters (avoiding pink slips and detention) we snuck out after hours and toured the campus and had hot pots in our rooms and other things (oh how terrible we were) …..

Cate life was challenging and we survived.  As we progressed through the years our class expanded and as classmates, we grew emotionally (the guys vertically) and got to know each other as a second family.  The knowledge didn’t require private intimate discussions - we lived, slept, ate and played together round the clock, we just got to know each other.  There was always a lending ear and shoulder to lean on.  And though we may not have anticipated all the great things we would achieve in our lives, we did notice the budding character within each of us that would later guide us to achieve our individual goals. 

By the time Graduation day came, all of the bonds we developed from living ‘High Upon the Mesa’ had become the familiar part of our lives.  And once again we were leaving the comfort of familiarity and moving into new chapter of our lives.  The awkwardness and fear that we once felt as freshman was replaced with excitement and anticipation because we chose our next chapter in our lives and we were prepared for the new experiences that lay ahead that would bring us closer to our destinies.

However, there was one underlying fear - would we keep in touch and if so for how long.  Some folks are definitely better at doing that but life has a way of creeping in and consuming us with new adventures and direction.  Regardless of whether or not we physically kept in touch, our memories and bonds that we developed at Cate have kept us together within our hearts and souls.

As I think back to high school, I remember Mark being content.  He knew he had to be patient and at the right time he would go on in life to achieve personal greatness and live a life filled with passion.  The sparkle in his eyes told us that he believed in life and that good things would happen if you believed.  I envied that strength in him. As demonstrated by his accomplishments and Sarah and Cora, life at Cate was just a very small part of what was to become the rest of his life.

Within Mark were multiple characters, he was content and confident, quiet and gentle but there was this random quirkiness in the things he did and said often sending me into mass confusion of my own thoughts - ….. the moment before something so outrageous came out of his mouth like the calm before the storm …. Then the seconds after thinking to myself did he just say what I thought he said …. and then the next moment wondering, was that supposed to be prophetic …. Followed by me assuring myself that ‘nawww’ he was just pulling my gullible leg again ….. and the final icing on the cake - the look in his of eyes and the ear to ear grin thinking to himself ‘you don’t know what to make of what I just said do you?’….

I remember him talking about going into pre-med and going to Wheaton, he seemed happy about his choice to go pre-med but I never felt he was ecstatic about it … But then I heard about him going into the Navy and becoming a Navy SEAL - WOW I thought to myself, Mark in the military - the places he’ll go and the world he will see.

I regret not keeping in touch for I would love to hear his laugh see the sparkle in his eyes, and feel the spirit of his presence especially now that he has been successful in fulfilling his passions and living life to its fullest with Sarah and Cora as such an important part of it. 

I know that words will not take away the pain, but I am so grateful to have had the opportunity to have known Mark if for only just the high school years and a little bit after.

Julie Diebenow ‘87