Do You Believe in Signs?

"The Lord will continually guide you and satisfy your desire." Isaiah 59:11

I hope those reading this blog are finding some inspiration and can see the changes we both have made individually and, in our marriage, so far. I am pouring my heart out and with Mark's permission and input, we are laying it out there for all to hear. We want to thank those of you that have written us private messages, sent cards, or told us about their own personal struggles with alcohol and/or marriage issues. Continue to reach out to us if you wish. We like to hear the encouraging and kind words and we like to hear that we are not alone in our struggles.

May 27th, we did a marriage counseling session with our old pastor. It was an amazing session that went on for at least two hours. Mark told him about how things transpired and shared about his inpatient rehab stay and his IOP with Lionrock. We had several things occur during this session that are true "testimonies of faith”, and we knew God was present. First, Mark was talking about how he must take turns choosing a song for Lionrock. He explained what it entailed, and the pastor stated, "Wow! I have the perfect song for you to share." He wrote down the song and artist on a sticky note and handed it to us. What he wrote was "You Say" by Lauren Daigle. Mark and I looked at each other in awe. Mark asked if I had told him about this song when I had a private session a few weeks back. Pastor assured Mark that we hadn't talked about that song and the meaning it had to us. Next, I told pastor about my experience of making amends with Mark's family and how I didn't know what to say and God spoke through me. He looked up and shared the following verse, "But when they arrest you, do not worry about what to say or how to say it. At that time, you will be given what to say, for it will not be you speaking, but the spirit of your Father speaking through you." John 10: 19-20 (Sound familiar from an earlier blog I wrote?). Third, he took us to the sanctuary and had us stand at the altar. Then he told us that the night we called him (back in April), he had gone to that very same alter and prayed for us. Then all three of us stood there together and prayed. Finally, the session ended, and we all exchanged hugs. Pastor told us we only needed to return if we felt it was necessary as he felt that together we were headed down the right path. We walked out to the car and Mark started it up and none other than "You Say" was playing on the radio. That day we felt God's presence in our lives and marriage very clearly.

In the last blog post, we shared a "mock" Eulogy as if Mark would have died today, an alcoholic. Next, we are going to share a Eulogy as if he lives the rest of his life sober and lives to an old age. Remember, this is made up. So, we added names with our children assuming they married and had children etc. Again, this is made up.

***Made up Eulogy ***

On behalf of the family, I want to begin by thanking every one of you that is here today to celebrate Mark’s life. We have received numerous phone calls, texts, flowers, meals, visits, and prayers during this difficult time. All of this has been so comforting to our family.

Mark was an amazing man. He had an avid love for adventure. Up until his dying days you would find him fishing or asking around for the perfect “honey hole”. He also loved to travel with his family. Although, he used to say he was a home body, his family knew his true love for seeing and exploring the world with them. Every trip was an adventure and so many memories were made. When Mark and Chelee started to have grandchildren the true “trips of a lifetime” were taken every day. Mark taught every one of his grandchildren the importance of the outdoors and every one of them learned to fish by Mark’s hands. Mark and Chel took them on trips to Disney World and local trips to his beloved lake cabin. All the while, teaching them life’s lessons that nothing is impossible with God. He was so proud of each one of them.

Mark was a very dedicated man. He was dedicated to his wife Chelee for 73 years. He was a dedicated employee working at the Dakota Growers Pasta Company for over 40 years, retiring in 2037. After retirement, his dedication to his family, sobriety, and God remained strong. He never faltered and continued to be active in AA until his death. His commitment to sobriety and his need to share his story so others may also be inspired, did not go on unnoticed. Many people struggling with addiction have come up to Mark over the years telling him how his story inspired them so much that they decided themselves to give sobriety an honest chance. Over the years, he became sponsors to various individuals all of whom came to know and love Mark just as his family does.

Mark lived his life in the present moments and never dwelled on the past. His positivity and unconditional love were seen by all who knew him. Mark lived 95 years. But he always said, he did not truly live until his sobriety, which he achieved at the age of 49. This, by far, was his greatest accomplishment as his life was forever changed for the better. Mark wants his story to live on so others may also be inspired to truly live the life they were meant to live and do so by trusting in God.

Mark is survived by his wife Chelee of 73 years, daughters Justine (Justin); Binford, Bailee (Tristan); Nashville, TN and Kalli (Lucas) Carrington; 8 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you support AA and Al-Anon. Please consider donating to these as they were very important in Mark’s life. Thank you again and I leave you with one of Mark’s favorite quotes. “Our greatest glory consists not in never falling, but in rising up every time we fall.”

Recognize the quote at the end? This is a quote I mentioned in an earlier blog post, and it has great meaning to Mark. By this date, days number 20 and 21 were completed of the "Love Dare." Again, Mark had joined me for the remaining days. These 2 days are self-explanatory.