Friday, May 19, 2023
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Art and Sean - oh, Martina...she was my German twin and I her American twin. We met in 1990 outside your home where she let my husband and I look at your house. We were wanting to rent the house 2 doors down and we became instant friends. We learned so much about each other and Sean was such a sweet little boy. We enjoyed watching movies, I enjoyed eating her German recipes and we would visit late into the evening after Sean was asleep. I loved to hear her laugh. She taught me how to navigate all things Ft Rucker and I didn't want to leave when my husband's course was over. She made me feel at home and I will never forget watching the wall in Germany come down with her. She kept me company that winter and spring in 1990 and we helped how we could while Art was over seas.
We only saw each other a few times in person after our short stay in Ozark but we remained in touch for 33 years. We loved Sean visiting us in Kansas and we always planned for her to visit too. Every year I sent her pictures or videos of our first snowfall. She told me once she liked yellow and from then on I loved yellow because I saw it through her eyes. She told me recently purple was her favorite color. I sent her a purple blanket to wrap herself in a hug. I like to think it's because I loved purple that she did too.
We were easy friends....sharing favorite colors to making life decisions, going back to college, changing jobs, going to work as mothers, encouraging our kids, supporting our husbands. We just connected so well about life, family, how to approach others and what it meant to be a woman in this era. Martina was never a stranger, we felt we had always known each other. I could count on her to give me her honest opinion. We thought if we ruled the world, it'd be a better place and again I loved to hear her laugh after we'd say such things. I loved hearing about her growing up near the Black Forest in Karlsruhe and how they had a small garden. Always wanted her to see the huge farm I grew up on. I loved how she was passionate about having her spot in Ozark. I was thrilled she got to meet my parents; she missed hers so much.
I was so proud of her pursuing the Radiology Tech program. We'd talk after her drive to Dothan and what a neat job she had in research and she enjoyed teaching and helping.
I can't forget her laugh; I loved how she would come to our house and tell Brent the air was on too low. Yes, she would adjust it! She was decisive, so neat and tidy and an amazing cook! She taught me so much about dedication, loyalty, sacrifice and determination. I admired her fortitude. I admired her confidence.
We would talk for long periods of time on the phone and thank goodness when texting came along! We talked a lot about our kids, what we dreamed for them and what a darn good job we have done with the 4 of them. Ha (Can you hear her laugh?)
I admired Martina's strength and no one could know how much she would come to need that. I knew something was up when she didn't talk as long and she would have to call me back. Her laugh was not really there. Then finally she told me that she was ill. She would have gone longer without telling me but I knew she was not herself. Oh, how she didn't want to be the focus. She never complained once. She never said why me. She fought hard. She was nothing but grace. She was sad that she was leaving her guys and what that meant for you both, but she counted on you having the same strength and resolve she has always drawn on. She was waiting for Sean. She was excited to see him again. She needed to see him again. She promised she'd send pictures. The last thing she talked about was you, Sean. It gave her the peace she needed. She always told me to give my kids a kiss. Sean, you are like one of mine too. If you need me, for any reason, I am here for you both. I could never do things like she could but I can remind you how she loved you, how she was devoted to you and I will always want to know how you are.
Martina taught me so much about life and friendship and now she has taught me about death. It's a lesson I wish she would have waited to teach. I have to say I remained in denial that she wouldn't beat this because she has always been apart of my adult life. She was my first friend away from college. How can I do this without her? She's been there at every turn. Yet as she grew weaker, I knew we could not ask her to bare this anymore. She had endured it long enough.
My heart will never be quite the same without access to her. I am only content because she is now free of any pain. I will hold the dreams we never got to fulfill in my heart. I will watch Top Gun again and feel I'm with her. Pearl Harbor and Field of Dreams...how many times did we see those! I will share my life with her still; just in my heart and yes, I will still talk to her because I just can't quit. She will be by my side anyway. I can never forget her laugh.
Martina, as we always say...I miss you, talk to you soon, love you.
Now I will say, I miss you, til we meet again, I love you, sister.
LeAnn Medley
Topeka KS
