It is so incredible to read all these stories and tributes about Mark and feel how deeply he was respected, trusted, and loved.  I am David Burchi’s wife and while stories of Mark preceded our first meeting, I have only known Mark and Sarah since the summer of 2006.  While I think a part of me feels cheated for only having known him a couple years, much more of me feels very privileged for having known him at all. 

I’ve noticed that many of the things that I have been remembering and feeling are very similar to what has already been written.  Though it’s been said already in so many beautiful ways, I thought I would just add a few stories and thoughts to this growing tribute to Mark’s impact and legacy on this earth.

One thing I find remarkable, but not surprising, is how many people remember the first time they met Mark.  I have a lot of friends that I have met at different times in my life – from 35 years ago to just a couple years ago – but I cannot say that I really remember the first time that I met most of them.  But I do remember meeting Mark.  David and I and our kids were visiting Laguna Beach and Mark and Sarah had us over for dinner.  David already has commented in his memorial on the first part of that evening, where we almost interrupted them praying, which already speaks volumes to who they were and what they were about.  But I also will never forget the end of the evening when we took a walk down to the beach.  Once we were on the sand Mark turned to our son Max (who was not yet 2) and asked him if he wanted a crab.  Max, of course, said yes, at which point Mark walked toward the ocean, watched the waves come up and recede, and then dove his hand into the sand and pulled out a crab.  I’m quite sure that Max didn’t realize that most people can’t do that, but Mark was an instant friend to Max, and mine as well. 

Another theme I keep reading about was Mark’s smile/smirk and sense of humor.  In that same vein, I keep thinking about Mark and Sarah’s Christmas cards.  For most people, sending out Christmas cards means finding your best photos from the past year (or perhaps wearing coordinated clothes or otherwise trying to look your best for a special Christmas picture) and sending that photo out to all your friends and family.  Mark and Sarah didn’t take themselves that seriously.  I imagine the two of them laughing and scheming and eventually coming up with some new clever, imaginative, and/or hilarious photo op.  The last one was probably the most precious.  It was Cora’s first Christmas and I had visions of Cora in a red velvet dress, a bright red bow for her hair, white stockings, and patent leather shoes.  Instead, Mark and Sarah recreated a manger scene in their Laguna Beach backyard, with Mark and Sarah in nomadic clothes hovering over Cora sitting in a simple white dress in a wooden basket, complete with watchful lawn reindeers and stuffed animals.  There is no way anyone that received that card didn’t laugh out loud and post in prominently among their other Christmas cards.

One more beautiful theme repeated throughout this website is how clear it was to everyone what an incredible, passionate, and loving relationship Mark and Sarah had.  No matter how big the issue or how small the task, Mark and Sarah handled it together with composure, grace, and a smile.  This might make me sound a little strange, but if I’m going to be honest, which I know Mark would expect, I used to watch and marvel as Mark and Sarah cleaned up after having people over for dinner.  We were over their house for dinner many times in the past couple years; sometimes just David and I, or our family, or sometimes there were two to three other couples or families.  Mark and Sarah were gracious hosts and they cooked fabulous meals, but as soon as the meal was over Mark and Sarah went to work.  They worked in unison, shoulder to shoulder, putting food away, washing and drying pots and dishes and glasses, wiping down counters.  Maybe this sound too trivial, and maybe I’m just exposing some of David and my shortcomings, but it takes a special couple to work that well together and be that in sync with each other.

Finding an appropriate way to end this seems hard.  It’s been said so many times in so many different and wonderful ways, but thank you Mark for enriching my life and for being such a huge impact in David’s life and the lives of countless others.  Sarah and Cora, I hope you find some comfort in the words of all these people who loved you all so deeply and will be there for you.