Based on true life events this tells a story of Mark, a Dorset resident.
Propped up in bed at the end of another day taking in the economic and cultural development of modern day China and the rapacious desire of a small oligarchy to control the world the eyes begin to tire. Mark clicks off the light for the last time. The following morning his best friend receives a call from Mark’s father. “Hi Paul I’m afraid I have some bad news – Mark’s dead!”
Life had started elsewhere back in the early 1960’s. Adopted by a religious family he had found himself in a boarding school and as with too many faith schools of a specific Christian foundation he was abused. This was never to be shared with his parents and remained a burden, he was to share with only a very few, for the rest of his life. Unfortunately at that time these schools also believed that they had the capacity to rescue our souls from the eternal flame and this misguided and cruel ignorance left scars on many and a lot worse for more. Mark somehow survived though and was able to take this experience into a softly spoken, caring and intelligent adulthood. Following what could be ironically called formal education he joined the world of work.
As a courier for a well known electronics firm he travelled to Japan and mainland Europe. Another misfortune was, as he would tell those close to him – his one and only visit to Tokyo found it shut for the day. Probably a bank holiday he would grinningly share. Whilst living in London he shared a flat with Francis. He came home one day and Francis had killed himself! Perhaps new surroundings were required. Eventually these became Dorset. Unsurprisingly, life up until this point had consequences for his self esteem and the internet became a safer haven for communication. It was through this medium that friends could be made especially those too far away to be a potential threat. The United States in particular proved accommodating. Notably for women friends.
The first proved somewhat unsuccessful however. Having struck up a friendship and advanced to the stage of a meet Mark found himself confronted with a plethora of excuses. His suspicions and investigations discovered why. This friend was incarcerated in a state penitentiary in one of the southern states and thus romance in this instance was short-lived. The next was a lot more successful although only relatively. Michele lived in Florida and over time they formed a close relationship and she then suggested a short visit. She flew into Heathrow met Mark, took him to a hotel and in Paul’s words “bonked his brains out”. Then following a meal she was back on a plane and back across the Atlantic.
He was then invited to return the compliment and flew out to stay in Florida. Sometime between the airport and her home however, Mark learnt that Michele was married with a young son and he was sworn to secrecy about their previous liaison. So he stayed with this small family for three weeks; saw the touristy things and probably grabbed any quiet time with both hands. The Atlantic crossings continued although now only from west to east. Visits to south Dorset followed including Pulpit Rock at Portland, the Old Smugglers and the Margaret Green Foundation at Church Knowle as well as the sites of London being the mainstay. This though petered out as distance became more than an obstacle. Not to mention the marital arrangements. Other friends in the US included a forensic scientist who worked for the FBI who he visited in Colorado only last November. The link between all three? Music!
They all shared a passion for ‘Sister Hazel’ and a little less so ‘Train’ – American rock bands. Mark would visit and take in a concert whilst there. It was this mutual love for music and Mark’s endearing and non threatening personality that enabled others to take to him.
During his time in Dorset Mark never reached out for what others may perceive as career heights. He was just happy to be able to mix and chat with people and therefore applied only for cashier posts although he did once accede to the dizzy heights of a supervisor. He once remarked that “nice customers outweighed the rude.”. His bibliophilism, his music, his parents and his one close friend seemed to be enough as well as, of course, his long distant relationships with those on the other side of the pond.
Unfortunately ill health had caught up with Mark. A heart complaint that was being treated with warfarin and simvastatin suggested that taking it easier was necessary and as he lay there asleep that night in January it was to be the cause of the light dimming to darkness. A week later his funeral sparsely attended saw the last tragi-comic moments of a 51 year journey. The pall bearers stumbled into the crematorium and the priest having given a short and underwhelming eulogy asked the small congregation to spend a few quiet moments thinking of ‘Mike’. How Mark would have responded if he had been given the opportunity I cannot say but there but for the grace of Mother Nature goes many more.
Our pleasures can be little but our contribution can be great. No matter what hand we are dealt. Mark had as much right to walk through the mortal coil as any other and the tribulations he experienced and learnt from should provide a lesson to us all.
An Acquaitance
