n Loving Memory of Mark Martinez 8/30/1983 ~ 04/30/2005

I lost my son Mark, AKA Teeny April 30, 2005. It was sudden and without warning. He was 21 and in college. He went to a party and someone gave him 1 Methadone pill. He went to sleep and never woke up the next day. His cousin was getting married and he didn't show up to the wedding. After the wedding, I called his cell phone and someone from the hospital answered his phone and told us he was there we needed to come right away. They pronounced him dead about 3 minutes before we arrived. We were taken into a room and given the "we tried everything, but he didn't make it" speech." The autopsy report showed that he had no more then 1 pill in his system and some alcohol. At first I just couldn't understand how this could have happened. I thought that someone had to overdose to die. But now I know much more about Methadone and it is killing kids just like Mark everyday. They don't have to overdose for it to kill. One pill can kill.

Mark was so funny. When he walked into a room, he was sure to say something just to put a smile on everyones faces. Or he would do his famous "Teeny Dance". He was silly and joked around all the time. Mark was so loved, he had so many friends. Mark loved his friends. He would rather spend time with his friends then anything. There were over 700 people at his funeral. Mark loved sports. He played basketball, baseball and football in High School. He was a Skater, and at the time of his death, he was playing on 3 different softball team 5 nights a week. Our city now has a softball tournament in his memory every year. They award the "Mark Martinez Memorial Sportsmanship Award" to someone each year. His athletic skills amazed me. I was such a proud Mom when I got to sit in the stands watching him. Most of our lives centered around going to watch him play one sport or another. We lost our Pride and Joy that day. Because of 1 Methadone pill, hundreds of people lost a friend that gave them so much Joy and were so proud to be his friend.

The Love of the Game

At the gate Saint Peter said, we're glad to see you son
We needed a good player and we knew you were the one.
It's baseball season here and we have a spot for you
With you batting clean up, I think you'll pull us through.

Saint Peter then took Teeny to meet his new team
Teeny was so happy, he thought it was a dream.
There was Mickey Mantle and Shoeless Joe
And standing right in front of him was Joe DiMaggio.
Teeny said to Saint Peter, "I can't play like they do."
Saint Peter said, "Son, Even the Lord believes in you."
"You can play just as good as all the rest.
For on this team, we are known to only take the best."

So he played with the best and what a sight to see
For not only did he play each game, he won the MVP.
As the baseball season came to it's end
Saint Peter said to Teeny, no rest for you my friend.

For your needed on the court, it's time for basketball.
Teeny was so surprised, now he's seen it all.
The greatest players of the game to ever play the sport
Welcoming him to the team, letting him take center court.

And when that season finished, Saint Peter wasn't through
He said, it's time for football, and Lombardi asked for you.
Teeny played in every game that Heaven ever had
He only hopes his family knows that he is never sad.

If he could only tell them, Heaven is so great
And when your time comes I'll meet you at the gate.
You'll have the best seats so you'll be able to see
Watching me play for all eternity.

Mark "Teeny" Martinez

8/30/1983 ~ 04/30/2005