“Thank you for showing us true greatness. Not many achieve that in this lifetime. Chris is one of the few who has. He struggled; he struggled more than most. He loved – more perfectly than most of us ever will. He smiled and reached out- to everybody. He was selfless. He was extraordinary – and because of your love and care, Chris’ goodness lit up our hurting, wounded world.” – Cindy P.

“I can still picture Chris in his helmet, in the stroller on the back of Dave’s bike, and walking along the ocean with Bill and Dave when we were in Mexico.” – Kim, Bill, Kell, Kimbers and Stu.

“I loved watching Chris work at Josh and John’s. He is beautiful…”- Kim D.

“…My best (memory) of all is using Dave and Kim’s shower … it was big enough that I would throw myself, Christopher and Billy into it at the same time to hose off and we would all jump in and sing songs together. I am pretty sure that my love of cheese-it crackers is due to Christopher as well! – Kevin H.

“What do you say, Pam?” – Chris saying this WHILE ASLEEP and burping and farting on the couch … ‘cuz all day, every time Chris farted and burped while with us at the lake, Pam said to Chris “What do you say Chris?” – Pam

“I remember Chris calling my new girlfriend – future wife “Susanne” – my ex-girlfriends name.” – Charlie H.

To me, Libby [Pelican], Chris will always be …

… the Taco Bell lunch date that was guaranteed to brighten my every week …
… the only person who could tease me, a new driver clunkily mastering a stick-shift, “Oh Shit, Libby, grind the gears!”, without getting punched …
… the joyful chuckles echoing across Prospect Lake as he mastered waterskiing …
… the perfect reason to be late for first period …
… the inspiration to enter the field of autism as a professional …
… a cheerful morning greeting that lifted my spirits …
… big bear hugs that warmed my heart …
… and 18^th birthday party I was honored to attend …
… the best partner for early morning Beach Boys jam session in my car …

Thank you, Chris, for bringing so much sunshine into my life!

(By: Libby Pelican)

(Compiled by the Matthews and Merz Families)

Items with him at all times:

A strap – A stick – Uncle Robert’s toy cars

His Palmer High School letter jacket – Shrek doll – A water bottle

Favorite Songs

Hakuna Matata – Da Turdy Point Buck – Ba Ba Ba…. Ba Barbara Ann

Toot Toot Chug a chuga Big Red Car – YMCA – Peggy Sue

“Heather, sing sha la la. Sing it, Heather!”

Proudest Moments

Getting his letter and a standing ovation at the Palmer football team banquet

Winning a Gold medal for skiing at the Special Olympics – Graduating from Palmer

Favorite Snacks

Cheetos – Cheez-its – M&Ms

Opening Lines

“What’s my name??” (Means what’s your name?)

Then in trying to create conversation….

“Does Chris vacuum??” Where… “Bill’s store”

“Chris wipes tables.” Where…. “Josh and John’s”

“How YOU doing?” – “Gimme a hug!!!”

International Travel log

Philippines – Thailand – Hong Kong

Germany – Mexico – Canada

Chris-isms

“I’m dexy, you’re crap” ( “I’m dead sexy” from Austin Powers)

“Yeaaaah baby!” – “Hi Steve. What’s your name, Steve?”

“You’re car is SO dirty. You beeeeeetter wash it!”

“Oh Kim, she’s so cuuuuuute” – “oooooh la la” – “Zip it”

Favorite Movies

Shrek – Austin Powers – The Lion King

Herbie the Love Bug – Mary Poppins

Skills He Perfected

Bear hugs (+/- butt grab) – Air guitar

Austin Powers impersonations – Burping

First Job

Vacuuming Bill’s store

Favorite Fun

Going to recycling with Dad

Going to the carwash with Dad

Downhill or water skiing

Dancing!!

Watching movies

Cheering on Billy at soccer games

Mantra

Hakuna Matata

“The Chris Matthews Party”

October 13, 1982 – October 31, 2007

During the four years that Chris lived with my family I always joked that someday I would write a book about the experience.  I don’t think I ever went a day without at least one hug, one tickle and, yes, one burp.  If I had enough time and a clear enough memory I could fill pages with the funny comments from Chris- always delivered right on cue.  From his announcement in the mall when I was pregnant with my son, “Baby Andrew in the tummy”, to his comment one evening, “Doreen- look!  See the dark!”, to his teaching my son to talk, “B-B-B-B Horse. Say it Andrew!”, the one I remember clearest is from the first day I met Chris.  Probably because no one can forget meeting Chris.
 
I had just moved to town and my fiancée at the time, Dave, was taking me to Denver for a Rockies Game.   We were also taking Chris and Dave B. along.   Dave must have told Chris they were coming to get me.   But I wasn’t quite ready and Dave went back to wait in the car with the guys.  Chris simply looked at Dave and said “You forgot Doreen!”  And thus I was “forgotten” every now and then over the next few weeks/months.
 
Unfortunately many of my favorite memories of Chris are not captured on video or pictures as I wish I could share them with many of you.    The look on Chris’s face when he got a ride in our neighbor’s cherry red Dodge Viper, the peals of laughter zipping him in the inner tube around my in-law’s lake, the way he loved to ride in the loader bucket of my Dad’s tractor each and every time we took him to visit the farm and would sit in the bucket for hours waiting for someone to come give him a ride.  The giggles and singing from the living room where he and my toddler watched their videos and shared toys, the way he danced so hard in the van to his music the entire car shook and drew stares from the other drivers, the way you always wanted to help push (uh pull) Andrew’s stroller on our walks, the red cup that sat permanently beside our sink for Chris to get a drink of water. (yes- it got washed but just went right back beside the sink.), the way he greeted his providers every morning as if he hadn’t seen them in months.
 
I feel privileged to have been Chris’s host home.  I know no greater honor than to have been entrusted with his care.  His memory will live forever in the heart of our family. (And on our home movies since he always managed to get into the footage! =) )

Doreen Merz

Dear Chris,

Eternal Echoes

Our life is an echo
Of our spirit today,
Of our essence
As it is,
Caught between
Our yesterday
And our tomorrow.
It is the resounding
Reality of who we are,
As a result
Where we have been
And where we will be
for eternity.

Mattie J.T. Stepanek (2000)

There is not one story shared between Chris and I that will sum up our 10 year friendship.  Rather, it is his essence, his spirit that echoes in my mind, my heart, and my soul.  Chris was, still is, an example of unconditional love and friendship.  It did not matter what I looked like, what I was wearing, what I was experiencing; when Chris entered my space I knew I had a friend.  Perhaps, the song that Chris and I shared sums up the simplicity of his love.  It is a song written by a friend, Christa Wiger.  The lyrics simply state, “I like you, and I think that you are cool.“

Chris, I will hold in my heart all our memories:  The car wash, the love bug, the songs, going to movies, listening to you say “Car going backwards“  “Steve is a nerd” “Brandon fat“  “Sing the wiggles“  “You are in time out.”  “Hi Lori, what’s your name“   “Ah Oh, Lori passed gas.” “Vote Gore, I am a democrat“  “Go to Meadow Muffins.” “Good news note please“  “MARGARET“  “Derek’s cute“.  “Sing it!“  “Say it.” “Chris wash tables.”  “Fred Flintstone“……..and I am sure there are millions more.

Thank you Chris for teaching me that life truly is about laughing and loving.

(By: Lori)