Two years ago today, at this hour, my best friend was murdered in cold blood. In Austin, in his yard, by his neighbor, shot once in the heart. He died on the spot. What was the motive? A fence-line between their houses.
The bastard neighbor was never brought to justice. He admitted to it. His wife and son submitted statements that he did it. He was out on bail. Seventeen months after the murder, he killed himself. With a gun. At home. Not 50 feet from where he murdered an amazing human being. In cold blood. I wish him to rot in Hell and suffer forever.
Just over a year later there was a wedding of a close college friend, one that Matt would have attended. It was a wonderful, if bittersweet affair, for Matthew was notably absent. But we toasted him and remembered.
This is the eulogy I read at Matthew’s funeral. For those who remember him, here is a needless reminder. For those that do not, here is something about him. It was written just two hours before the service, under emotional duress, aengst, and just plain psychological disaster on my part. I was a pall bearer. It was the worst experience of my entire life.
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August 2003
Schenectady, New York, on a sunny day, with Matt’s family and several close college friends.
My Best Friend. I am not really sure what I will do without him.
Many have commented in the past and in the present about how different we are, and how did we get to be such good friends?
I’ve know Matt for just under 15 years, or little less than half my life.
We met at Dickinson as two head-strong 18 yr-olds.
Matt Loved Dickinson, and made his policy to make the most of it – both from what he gave to it and what he got out of it. He truly loved that place and all it stands for: Freedom through Piety and Thought.
We have spent almost every New Years Eve together since we finished school, surrounded by our Dickinson friends and many others along the way. Since we both moved to Texas by chance six years ago, we have done the same for Thanksgiving.
We were each other’s family while so far away from own. We’ve held each other up, pushed each other higher, and been the voices of sanity and reason when our inner voices needed a little help.
Matt’s enthusiasm and diversity is reflected in the things we enjoyed doing together: Boating, water skiing, car racing, working on small cantankerous British sports cars, sharing a bottle of wine, talking, and just spending time together being silly.
Matt’s passing is a major milestone in all our lives, although an unwanted one. I urge you to take some of Matt’s mantras to heart and make them part of your lives:
1. If something bothers you, and you have the ability to do something about it, stop complaining.
2. Do something about it.
3. Simplify, Simplify, Simplify.
4. Enjoy and appreciate, for you never know what day will be your last.
