Anna gave this Eulogy at Matts Memorial Service on July 13, 2024
I want to first thank everyone for their cards, letters, flowers, and prayers throughout this very difficult time. The food especially was a huge help. My family, my husband and kids, Jeff and Lauren, and my nephew Joey, saw me through the worst time in my life.
I have a cousin in Argentina, Isabel Euredjian. We haven’t seen each other since we were children, but we have stayed connected. She wrote this to me.” When a wife loses a husband, she is called a widow. When a child loses their parents, they are called orphans. But, there is no name for a mother who loses a child.”
I was born into this church when my mother joined in the early 1950’s, but Joel and I decided to let our children be independent and find what spoke to them. Matthew was special, and made his own choices in life. In his early years he was a bit shy, awkward, and not one of the “cool kids.” As a young adult he found where he fit in, and could be a leader, in front of a classroom, and here in this church. He identified with his Armenian Roots, and loved standing in front of this congregation and speaking. He was affectionately known as “Matt in the hat.” He especially loved the youth of our community. It made me proud to be his mother, and I know my mother would have been proud also.
The only time I ever got upset or annoyed with Matt was when he wouldn’t put himself first, when he needed to. He was the peace-maker in our family, and at many times the glue that held us together.
Something I really admired about Matthew was that with all of his knowledge, he never let himself get pulled into arguments over subjects like politics, medicine, or religion. He never had to have the last word, even when he knew when statements were false. It was a maturity that I think that we can all learn from.
Matthew chose an Armenian girl to marry, and they adored each other. He accomplished so much, and would have done even more, but his life was cut short by this evil disease. Lara, it’s not fair that you only had a little more than year of marriage. You both deserved more time, but this is all we get. It leaves me with a profound sadness that I may never get over. But, I will try.
In his last weeks, Matt kept putting his arm around me, telling me, “Mom, you know I’ll be okay, don’t you?” And I would say “Yes Matt, I know you will be okay. In heaven, you will be healed.” And I would reassure him that I would be okay too, that it would be really hard and take a long time, but I will.
I have lost my child, but I will try and keep my promise to my boy. So, when I feel the sun on my face, I am going to remember my son’s warm hugs. And when I look up at the stars at night, I will see them as little windows into heaven, where my boy can look down and see me, and everyone he loved. I love you, my sweet baby, and will miss you for the rest of my life.
