For those who have been hanging around our Place Called Simplicity for a few years you will remember Uncle Mark. He is Dw’s oldest brother.
Most will remember that back in 2010 Uncle Mark came to live with us in Colorado. Dw and I had talked from the time we were first married of him coming to live with us when life necessitated it. It was just a no-brainer. We were so excited at the idea!!
But sadly only months after living with us, Mark became so unhappy that we had to bring him back. He missed his friends, he missed this town and he missed all that he had known. Uncle Mark now lives in a group home, has tons of new friends and works for a developmentally disabled business four days a week. It’s best for Mark and we are thankful he’s so happy.
Which brings me to an interesting point. On many occasions my mom-in-love would express concern for Mark’s future. And I know that many people don’t want to consider “lifers” because of the fear of the future. But friends, God’s word tells us that we are “not to worry about tomorrow, in fact today has enough troubles of its own”. He calls us to love and care for lifers. Period. We had, of course, assured my mom-in-love that he would be with us and she shouldn’t worry.
In the end, that plan (which had been in place for 35 years didn’t work out) but faithful God had another plan. Mark is well cared for and loves his life. He and his peeps have so much fun together!! I have 100% confidence that if my mom-in-love were alive today she would be thrilled at where Mark lives and how he spends his days. The people who work at his home are wonderful! And the truth is – the worries she had were truly pointless! God took care of every step, because His plans for Mark are good!
So friends, remember, God loves the broken little ones and He has a plan…our job is to love them well and trust Him…He will take care of the rest.
Now if you grew up in Dw and Mark’s beautiful little hometown you would know Mark. Everyone and I’m serious when I say that, everyone knows Mark! He was the paperboy for many folks living in town for about 50 years and also the regular ‘sweeper’ at a little local restaurant. Whenever he swept he earned a soda and you can bet he wanted to sweep every day!!
Mark would be seen daily riding his bike around town and eventually (when his legs wouldn’t allow it) walking everywhere. He was even an honorary member of the fire department too!! Back when I first came around he had a fire monitor at the house and anytime the fire whistle blew, he would dress and head out to see what was going on.
Mark has brought great joy to the lives of people living here and one year the town honored him on his birthday by having him ride on the firetruck to his party in the park!!
Anytime I have a conversation with anyone here all I have to do is ask them, “Do you know Mark?” I mean he’s kinda’ synonymous with the town itself. In fact I spoke with a gentleman the other day who put it best, “Mark is an icon here.”
Upon arriving here in New York we had the joy of driving to Uncle Mark’s group home to surprise him!! He knew we were coming to New York and that we would be spending time together, but this was earlier than expected…and his expression was priceless.
Dw brought Mark out to the car to meet Vernon and Birdie…he was so stinkin’ thrilled. He especially couldn’t wait to meet Vernon since his own name is Mark Vernon…
I was able to get a little video of him meeting Vernon and Birdie.
Everyone ought to have an Uncle Mark or a Ruby or a Jubilee or a Birdie in their life….cause life would be just that much sweeter!!
Once again you’ve brought me to tears, Ms. Linny. Such joy!! How truly blessed you are to have an Uncle Mark, Vern, Ruby, etc. Our God is SO good; and every time I see a precious “lifer”, fearfully and wonderfully made in His image, I am reminded of that incredible goodness. Love the sweet mental picture of Uncle Mark sweeping for his soda and the joy he no doubt experienced on that special fire truck ride to the park. But your video did me in. Off to find the nearest Kleenex… 🙂
Isn’t that video just the sweetest?? Three treasures who truly are such loves. So thankful they are part of our lives. Love you friend!! xo
Oh Linny this is precious! I get to love on special needs littles in my classroom all year long. I work with 3-5 year olds and they are just so precious to me!
Love,
Suzanne
You get it!! I am so grateful for your loving input into their lives. Bless you friend! xo
I was so touched by this little story about mark. I love him as does everyone else in town. He used to call me his nurse. I worked for a local dentist where he was a patient. He knew my children. I honestly get excited when I see him! Yes, a very special person in a very special family
Thank you Sue for commenting and remembering Mark!!! It seems to us that the joy of precious treasures like Mark, Ruby, Jubilee, Birdie is rooted in their ability to love so freely. Mark has a beautiful way of making everyone feel extra special. I can’t wait to tell him that he was remembered so well!!
What a sweet video! I was wondering what happened to Uncle Mark. So cute that little Pearl shook his hand and smiled. The photo above of Liberty – she is beautiful! So grown up!
Isn’t Birdie’s little handshake the best?? She’s become so sincerely endearing to others…we are loving watching her blossom. And I’m pretty sure Liberty is that much more beautiful because it’s her inside shining through her outside!! xo
Thank you for sharing! It’s nice to see an update on our town ambassador! I know Mark from when I worked at The Embers back in ’74 & ’75 and even though I haven’t lived there for 40 years, who could forget Mark?
AWww Glenda!! Thank you for commenting and remembering Mark!! I can’t wait to tell him!! No doubt, who could forget Mark??
This was really nice to read. I grew up on Hawthorne st. right around the corner from Mark. I’ve known him since I was five years old. I do get to see him from time to time and he still remembers me and my family and he always asks about all of us. He is certainly loved in the community he grew up in. Everybody knows Mark Saunders!!!!!
Oh Tara – that’s so cool that you grew up around the corner and know Mark. What a blessing to him you are, I’m sure!! Thank you for remembering him. I can’t wait to show him the blog post and tell him about people’s comments. Bless you!
I have know Mark for many years. He always brings joy to you when ever you think of him or see him. Yes everyone in town knows him. God has Blessed him so much and Mark has Blessed so many. Even though he isn’t a family memes he is still part of our family. The video is priceless and God has Blessed you with a great family. Linny and DW I pray for you all the time.
Terry! You pray for us all the time? That is such a beautiful blessing to hear. Thank you so very, very much!! Isn’t the video the sweetest?? Such a great insight into our newest two!! Thank you again!!
What a wonderful story about Mark. I grew up in Perry and he is truly loved and known by many. I also use to work in one of the restaurants were he came in daily for his lunch ( one hotdog and a Pepsi). Now I live just down from him and he still remembers me and my children.
Kinda’ comical how he would come in for a Pepsi where you worked! Cause he was drinking so many Pepsis each day that he eventually had to have dentures! Ha! Mark loved his Pepsi! And of course he remembers you and your children – He never forgets anyone – such a treasure!! Thank you Christine for commenting. Bless you!
I have known Mark for the majority of my life. I honestly say he is one of the best people I have ever met. Always happy…not fake happy, but genuine. Always a big smile on his face, and with that combination, his aura will almost instantly melt away any bad mood one may be in. He always members my family, and is sure to ask about their well being.ark is truly an amazing individual, and one I am proud to not only know, but call a friend.
Awww Mike! Thank you for your kind words about our Mark. Hundreds of times over the years Mark will tell me a story about one of his friends and it always goes something like this, “Sis, you know my friend (insert name), ‘member you met him/her?? ‘member them?? They (insert some noteworthy thing)…and they’d love to see you.” I laugh typing it. He knew everything that was going on and they were all his friends (understandably *smile*) and he always wanted me to see them. So sweet. Thank you for leaving a kind comment. Seriously, I will read them all to him in the next few days.
Went to school with Dwight, and lived on Hawthorne all my childhood. Mark was always so sweet. Our family loves Mark and so glad to hear these stories about him. Tell him the Post girls are saying Hello next time you talk to him.
Thank you again Linny this was very nice.
I have definitely heard Dw speak of you Pat. I am so grateful that Mark had so many wonderful people who loved him!! Thank you Post girls for being some of his cheering crowd!!
Thank you so much for sharing this! The story brings joy to my heart. What a loving person you are! I have not lived in Perry for 34 years, but of course I still remember and love Mark! Not only does everybody know Mark, but he knows everyone. I moved away for one year during high school. When I came back he still remembered me and knew that I had moved. He seemed genuinely happy that I was back although he did not deliver the newspaper to my house and only saw me around town. I’m so glad to know he is doing well.
Oh there is no doubt that he was genuinely happy to see you again!! He loves. Period. He just loves. Thank you for being so kind to him!!
I remember Mark! I always remembered his bike he rode while delivering newspapers. Kids would always pick on him and he’d get so mad. I was like 10 or so and I remembered telling him that they were just jealous because he had such an awesome bike. He’d always talk to me but most of the time back then I couldn’t understand some of the stuff he said because he talked so fast! lol Mark’s a great guy.
Thank you for commenting Mark. He loved his bike…and would get a new one almost every year. He definitely is a great guy!!
This made my day ! I love seeing mark he comes to church once in awhile with Dan and it makes my day to see him so happy.
Thank you Julie for appreciating Mark – he’s a treasure!!
Mark was our paperboy in the 60’s and when we had our first child we named him Mark. When Mark ask us what we named him and i told him it was Mark he looked at me and said you stole my name. He is one special person and loved by all that know him. I graduated with his brother Steve.
“You stole my name!” LOLOLOL Only Mark!! He’s a hoot. Thank you for commenting. We have enjoyed reading all the people’s kind words toward Mark!! We will tell him when he comes to the house again!
Mark looks wonderful…. God knew the perfect plan!
He does, doesn’t he? And no doubt, God knew the perfect plan!!
My sister Melanie has been Mark’s girlfriend for many, many years now! Melanie lives in the ARC group home in Perry, and since I am her guardian and live in Castile, I am involved with her care, and often see Mark, too.
They had a dance not long ago, and when I asked Melanie who her ‘date’ was, of course she said “Mark!” 🙂
And as Mark would say, “He’s a corker!”
He’s also a treasure!!
Suzie (Canby) Carlson
#PerryLovesMark
Oh Susan!! We know *all* about Melanie!! I’m so thankful they have such a special “romance”!! Melanie and Mark both are truly treasures!!
Another post to love. What a gift Mark is to everyone he meets. It gives me a glimpse into the future for my son. I’ve never met anyone who doesn’t like him. He’s always smiling, always happy. I think of my future grand kids and what a blessing it will be to have him as their uncle. My big children are already arguing over who gets to keep him after we are gone. They all want their turn. Brings tears to my eyes. Especially in the midst of so much sadness in our world today. I am grateful that my Isaac sees only goodness and joy in his world. Sometimes I’m jealous! 🙂
Linny,
So glad that Uncle Mark has such a outcome. Its wonderful to think that he has blessed so many in “his town.”
I did want to remark how beautiful Liberty is. You can see so much love and light in her eyes. What a treasure! When is she planning on joining Emma permanently?
Joyce
Boise, ID
Thank you Joyce! Liberty is a treasure – inside and out!! I believe our faces are reflective of our heart and hers is surely beautiful. She’s about to start her junior year and then believes the Lord is leading her to college to become a social worker for Emmy. So it will be awhile, but no doubt, she’ll be back to help for spurts as soon as she can!!
No coincidence that as I sat here worried about my son’s future and pondering how to help him best I was led to your post and your message – just love him, pray for him and let God take care of the details. Whatever plans I try to arrange for him, God has a better one.
Soooooo God to do that! He is so faithful. And yes, His plan is always best!! xo
Thank you LInny, for the update. I’ve been a reader since the fire, so I’ve heard about Mark.
I needed this today too, as well as Carmen. Just got *another* medical diagnosis today on one of my lifers…… I needed reminding that God will always take care of him!
I am grateful for the Lord’s timing of mentioning Uncle Mark. I, too, am able to get overwhelmed with the future of my lifers, but I have to stop myself and remind myself that our faithful God loves His gems more than we could imagine and His plans for them are good. We pray, we trust, we obey, we love our lifers and He loves them till the end (should we leave sooner than they). xo
I was so blessed to have known Mark’s parents. They were a blessing to all who had known them and the reason in which God entrusted them with Mark. They were very special people.
I have many fond memories of Mark growing up from him stopping me on the street to ask how I was, coming to events at the school, or simply giving us his great Mark smiles that only showed pure joy. It will always bring a smile to my face whenever I hear Mark’s name or see a picture of him. He just has a way of making everyone he meets happy. He was the glue in the community so to speak. He is one of those people you only encounter rarely in this life but when you do, you realize he’s “an angel unaware”. May God continue to bless the Saunders family and especially Mark. Thanks for sharing your post, I often wonder about him, it’s nice to see he’s doing so well.
What a precious comment. Thank you Michelle. I am sure you have blessed Mark and my in-love’s lives as you knew them!!
Really miss seeing Mark around town,he always had a commene for everyone ,especially about the Baptist Church and all their activities.When I was a little girl he was my sister’s paper boy and wow that was years ago.I’m so glad that he is happy and watched over now.
Mark is a gem and we love him so much! He was always a fixture in Perry. No doubt the world is a better place because there are “Marks” in the world. We are heading there soon and we can’t wait to see him!
Thank you for your kindness towards Mark. He is such a blessing – and he truly cares about everyone!
What a joy to see Mark after all these years! His infectious smile and voice are exactly as I remember. I also grew up around the corner from the Saunders’ family and Mark was our paperboy and my buddy all my growing-up years. And I love that you named “Vernon” after their dad – he and my dad were teachers together and great friends. I’ve worked with families whose children have “disabilities” (maybe we should just call that “abilities”) for over 30 years as a pediatric genetic counselor and I suspect Mark in some way impacted my career choice and taught us all so much. Thanks for sharing.
Thank you for working with special gems! We have adopted many special needs children – 2 are in wheelchairs, Down Syndrome, Multiloculated Hydrocephalus, severe CP, rare chromosomal anomaly, 3 are “lifers” – we get to keep them for the rest of our lives! I am sure our love for SN is partly because of Mark’s influence on our lives! We think the world would be such a kinder place if every family had a Mark or Ruby or Birdie or Jubilee in it! Thank you for commenting!
Hello this article brings back so many memories of mark , countless times mark would be at the fire hall before the fireman ever got there wanting to know where the call was there are a lot of fireman that would always ask where mark was or we would always know his whereabouts so we could keep him out of harms way at our emergency calls if at all possible could you message me some contact info for him I’m sure a lot of our members would like to write him a letter or make arrangements to stop and see him from time to time he is always welcome to attend any of our department functions what a great article and tribute to our brother mark
Thank you for your kind words. I will privately email you Mark’s information. He would love to have visitors. He’s only about 20 min away. I know your last name from Mark talking about your family. And truly, I’ve been around the family for over 40 years and even late at night, if the fire monitor went off or the whistle blew, off he would go! Thank you for loving Mark. It means so much to our family.
Who doesn’t remember Mark ? When my mom worked at the star market he would ( in his one of a kind voice) say “I know you … your mom is ms star market”.
Truly an Icon of our little town.
Haha! Mark has such a way of making everyone feel special – “Ms Star Market”! Thank you for being a blessing in Mark’s life! And by the way, we live in Phoenix, but when we are there for a few weeks each summer, I still call it Star Market. It just seems ‘right’.
I remember Mark when I was growing up. When I seen him I the street I would stop to just talk to him. He would ask me about my grandmother and ask how she was. I would tell him. And just enjoy the stories he had to say. I always wondered how he was doing. Thank you for the story.
Mark’s memory is incredible and he loves to ask about everyone – because he truly cares. Bless you for being such a kind soul in his life!
I remember Mark well! What a joy he was, a ways smiling!
Thank you Todd for being a blessing in Mark’s life. He is a treasure to know!
Mark and I have been friends for many years! I loved this story!
Thank you for loving our Mark! He is a precious guy!
Wow, if your an elder in Perry and if this doesn’t put a lump in your throat, I feel sorry for u. I have so many wonderful experiences with Mark I can’t count them. I have stuck up for him so many times because kids can be so cruel. Never regreted it once, just raised that way. Mark new this and would always stop and talk to him ‘always’ Mark taught us all so much and most of us never new it. He always called me ‘Shanna-dar’ love u big guy to the moon and back. Memories of a lifetime, thank u Mark for being one of God’s special people. Your friend
What a precious tribute Shannon!! This post was actually done last year, but someone commented on it on the Perry, which popped it up to the top of the pile…and now several have read it and commented. We think the world would be a sweeter place if every family had a Mark, or a Ruby or a Jubilee, or a Birdie…we are so blessed aren’t we Shannon? We will be there soon!
Mark was my guardian angel on the way to school. He lived half way and during that awkward age when I was being bullied, he looked out for me. I became a special education teacher in part because of him. I am retired now and living in CO. I taught for 37 years.
Wow Susan! Your comment made me start to cry! The powerful impact that SN treasures have is undeniable! God is so amazing how He weaves stories together! I love it! Thank you for sharing and thank you for spending 37 years investing in the most vulnerable of all! May God bless you abundantly! ~Linny
I got to know Mark from the time I moved here in 1986. He’s a wonderful man and a blessing. I have a uncle that has mental retardation and he is such a blessing to me. Many people have said everyone needs a Uncle George in their family.
Aww thank you Joann!! We love that you know Uncle Mark! And yes, we couldn’t agree more every family needs a Mark or George – each of whom help us to be more kind, gentle, tenderhearted, patient…and the list goes on! Thank you for commenting!