I had a hard time deciding whether I was going to post today. Our family’s heart is breaking over the death of Katie Mesmer’s father, Marty. He is a man who simply cannot be replaced.
Marty and Katie Mesmer
How do you measure a man’s life? Just look to his children and wife.
As for me, I only met Marty on a few occasions. Prom photos, homecoming, and at LAX games. You see, Ryan and Katie have been close friends for many years, going back to middle school days. What I know is Ryan loved Marty. He would come home and tell me about his debates over baseball with Marty.
Still, as I mentioned, one can understand Marty’s impact through his family. People who tell us my family is strong would think no less of the Mesmer’s. Katie has been here for us since day one with Ryan. She came to Ruby Memorial with her mom as Ryan fought for life. She arranged flights for Ryan to be transported to rehab facilities and home. She visited Ryan (and Kari) in New Jersey on several occasions. She, and her mom, arranged places for us to live while in New Jersey. They came in ahead of us and set up our apartments. They cleaned our house before returning home. Katie set up a fundraiser that brought in over $10,000 in December 2009. Katie was here, night in and night out, talking to Ryan, while holding his hand and running her fingernails over his inner forearm (which, I hear, Ryan loves!). She washed our clothes. Did our dishes. Ran our errands. Warmed our meals. Marty, I’m sure, was proud.
Katie has her father’s strength. Marty was not incline to giving in; neither is Katie. He was headstrong and determined; again, Katie.
He went down swinging. Never seeking sympathy. He was too proud. Just like his family.
Now, one thing I know is “Team Diviney” knows how to rally around those who are hurting. I beg, let’s redirect this toward the Mesmer’s.
Katie, U don’t know me, but I just wanted to extend my condolences to you on the passing of your father. My family and I remember when we lost our Father, (our big giant) in 2002, from meningitis and by time the Doctor’s grew the bacteria, it was too late, he was already on life support and the family had to make the painful decision of letting Daddy go and watching him past away. It threw me into a depression and up to now, though I still cry for him sometimes, it still hurts. Katie, I know what it’s like to lose a father, though I don’t have your pain, I’m sorry for you lost. Be around people who are going to be supportive, non judgemental of why your wheeping, loyal, will cry and laugh with you, be there for you no matter what time it is. Be around people who are not going to tell you, (you’ll get over it) because these insentive people don’t know your degree of pain, or the emotional heart break you are going through. Be around someone that will listen with their heart, not their ears, and will let you do all the talking. You will know those Angels when God sends them your way and they will help you to heal and you will never forget them. I myself, don’t talk to a lot of people because some of them feel, a person should be over a parents death, just because they were able to cope with someone passing in their life. Everyone is at a different level when it comes to healing and don’t let anyone tell you how long to heal. Surround yourself around the right angels. It was hard for me to talk to God for a while, but now I’m talking to him. So, again Katie, I’m so sorry for your lost. I hope God will send the right Angels/People in your life to walk you through that long and dark tunnel no matter how long it takes to heal from your lost.
Sorry to hear the loss for that family. My Heart and Prayers goes out to them all! She sounds like she was a Great Person and Supporter for You all. People are blessed to have friends like that!
Katie, I am so sorry for your loss. I know through Hannah that you are a remarkable young woman. I hope you find strength in family and friends, old and new. My thoughts will be with you and your family.
Dear Mesmer family,
You are all in my thoughts and prayers.
Much love to you, Vickie Kidner
May he rest in peace.My prayers for the family~
Ken,
What a painful day. I will never forget the day my dad died. As priceless as the mother/son relationship is, the father/daughter relationship is as well. You know what I mean. I will be focusing my prayers on the whole Mesmer family today as Marc and Katie grieve the loss of a phenomenal dad, and as Elaine mourns the loss of an incredible husband. I pray God comforts them all in a way only a Father can.
Katie is my hero.
Here are the A, B, C’s of Katie…..
A Admirable
B Beautiful
C Charming
D Dynamic
E Extrodinary
F Forgiving
G Gallant
H Honest
I Inspirational
J Joyful
K Kind-Hearted
L Loyal
M Marvellous
N Nice
O Outstanding
P Passionate
Q Quiet (not)
R Remarkable
S Smart
T Thoughtful
U Unselfish
V Vibrant
W Warm
Y Youthful
Z Zealous
Beautifully put, dear friend.
Cass
Dear Katie, we are here for you. Much love & prayers to you and your family. Please do not hesitate to call upon us for support. Your Dad lives on in the compassion, strength and success that is you. What an extraordinary young lady you are. Hugs, Paula
I was so sad to hear the news this a.m. I never had the opportunity to meet Marty but Joe and Clare speak very highly of him. Katie’s been beyond an amazing amazing help to you all and I just know Marty must have been so proud. She’s such a beautiful young lady – inside and out. You don’t meet many young people today who are willing to give so selflessly and tirelessly as she has.
Very sorry for your loss Mesmer family and everyone who knew Marty.
What a beautiful tribute to this man and his family. Thank you for having the courage and strength to post it in the midst of your grief, Ken. You can certainly count on Team Diviney to surround Katie and her family with our love, support and prayers.
I just heard from Katie recently, and she told me that her dad only had a 2 % chance of beating the cancer. She and her family are in my prayers. I know how much she loves her dad and always will. I, too, still love my dad, who died 25 years ago this year, after a heart attack at 75 — too young! Our thoughts and prayers are now with this family as well as the Diviney family.
thinking of you guys. still here and still praying. will also be praying for comfort for katie and the family. love you guys.
And we “know” the Mesmer’s. Marty is up there fighting for Ryan today. What an amazing girl Katie is and she got that from her Mom and her sweet Daddy. My heart is breaking for them today. Too young, too soon, too precious.