Gratitude: Things That Martin Did Say

In one of the other blog posts I wrote about Martin not being able to speak and how he missed his chance to say things at the end of his life. There were some things that were said and I am so glad about them.

Martin was working from home from January 2021 to June 2021. He had his office set up in the living room and dining room and other places around the house. His back hurt him a lot and so it was typical for him to move around during the day. But he continued to work because that is what Martin did! He loved his job and the people he worked with. I never had the fear that Martin would not want to work even before he was sick. He was a great provider for our family. I hope I thanked him enough.

Martin working from home

While he was at home working I would overhear some conversations. Not because I was eavesdropping but because Martin was just loud! He would start off his morning at the folding table in the living room which was right outside our bedroom. I can not tell you how many times I was woken up by him singing stupid songs while he was on the phone with his friend Shock. I wish I could remember those songs. And yes, the door was closed. As I said, he was just loud and he loved the mornings and his coffee and getting work things ready before work started.

I often worried about his mindset because, in the beginning, people would always ask why he was working from home, and then they would follow up with, “You got COVID?” It was a question on almost every phone call. And Martin’s phone rang NON STOP! The thought that he had to explain his situation 15+ times per day had to have an effect on his psyche. But he would end all the phone calls with, “Don’t worry, I got this!” And then what else was said almost made me cry. Before they hung up it became more and more common for the guys to say, “I love you, man!” This happened day in and day out. I can’t thank you enough for saying that to him because he needed it. You could see a tear come down his face not long after the phone calls.

Friends showed up unexpectedly with food, ice cream, and cookies. Which were Martin’s favorites. You will never know how much that meant to us. Martin missed being around people and your visits made his day!

Thank you for every prayer on our behalf, every bite of food, every I love you

Wendi, Payton and Connor

Martin was and is one of a kind. I had a lot of respect for him when I got to know him on and off the job! You and I have been friends most of our life and will always be! He was genuine for sure. He wasn’t afraid to be himself. I hid in a world for a long time and had close friends like Martin. Martin always called me at work when he needed backup, keeping people on his crew safe. So they could go home to their families every day. You can’t find that in people in this world. I loved him for who he was, and I felt the same about him!

James Bohanon