Prayers needed please - Mark Brewer

[2001GTTT]

I felt really horrible the other day when I was at LMM and saw the picture of his final pass at prp.

RIP

[CobraII]

Vid of the final pass.


http://s713.photobucket.com/albums/w...t=lastpass.flv

[CobraII]

Friday, January 15, 2010 10:40 PM, EST


[FONT='comic sans ms', sans-serif]Mark's number 53 did come from Herbbie the love bug. From what I can remember from the first time I went to the track with him when you got teched in, they would put a number on your car when you ran street or trophy if you didn't have one. And when the track tech guy came around he would put a number on your car, but Mark would say "No, I have a number". He put 53 on his window, and I said, "Herbbie the love bug!" And he just smiled. Do you know how many times we would watch that movie? Also he did have a beetle but that was before my time with him. So, he had that number a long time and it will always be his number. "Forever 53". I am having decals made in Mark's memory just like I did for Nikki. I am trying to set up a scholarship in Mark's memory to help a youngin' who needs help in finding what they're good at! Mark would like that!

Something that you might have not known about Mark was that he could sing and play the piano. He was very musically inclined. I was not!! I can remember I think back in '94 I believe, we were walking at the mall and he saw an old, old, I mean old, organ at the piano store and he started to play on it and the salesman came out and said he would make a good deal on it if we were interested in buying it. We looked at each other and said well we don't know yet. But I could tell he wanted to bring it home so I surprised him for Christmas and brought the old thing home. Somehow though it sounded good in the store, but not too good at home. But Mark taught me to play "smoke on the water" which was a challenge, like I said I am not musically inclined but I do love piano music. Anyhow, one Sunday morning I heard him playing and singing, so downstairs I came. He was sitting in his underwear, (forgive sweetie) playing to his heart content. So I watched him till he saw me and I think he was a little embarrased, but we continued my lesson on those few notes of "smoke on the water". By the way, I still can't do it! I remember this because I went out to the garage to thank Markie for washing my car and "smoke on the water" came on the radio and Markie and I just smiled. You know, our kids can sing and are musically inclined also, but they didn't get that from me! Certain songs that come on the radio just bring smiles, lots of smiles! Hugs and smiles baby! Just for you!!

Love you guys
Christine

Forever "53"........
Always, "Thinking of Nikki"........[/FONT]

[CobraII]

Christine's latest update...

Friday, January 22, 2010 10:44 PM, EST

[FONT='comic sans ms', sans-serif]Sorry I haven't updated Mark's page, but I have so many decisions to make and I'm lost without my partner!
I guess by now just about everyone knows that the "shop" is closed. Mark was The Motorworks & The Motorworks was Mark, all Mark! Mark & I have talked many times about the "what if's". In fact, many of his customers would asked "What if something happened to you, would the shop stay open?" Mark would reply, "I have the confidence in Christine and she is quite capable, but she would need to do what she needs to do." And I would be standing there and follow up with, "I couldn't and probably wouldn't without Mark!" And believe me I tried to figure the "hows" many times. And talking it over with our attorney and doing the numbers many times, it would not be a good decision since my "partner" is in Heaven now. I will not dis-honor Mark's memory if the shop would get into a financial bind. I am not willing to take that risk. And I can just hear Mark, "Christine, now let's be realistic and practical here." So after 22 years, "The Motorworks" is now closed, but all the great memories, the great employees, Bobby, Jerry, Ron & Mike, the hot rods, the race cars, customer cars and the friendships that have passed through those doors will go on! And, sweetheart, I would quit my job a billion times to help you at the shop just to have one more second with you!!!

I need to say "Thank You" to those who have donated in Mark's memory to: "Beatsarcoma.com". Sonya did get in touch with them so we could send "Thank You" cards, but due to privacy laws they were unable to give us a list of names only the amount that was donated. So, from Mark's kids and myself, "Thank You" for your generous donations!!!

"Thank You" for your donations in Mark's memory to "The Caring Bridge". Your donations to The Caring Bridge will help many families stay in touch with their loved ones as they fight their battles!

Well, Easter will be early this year and that means one thing--Racing will start early too! I know this because when we would get our new calender, Mark would have me look ahead to see when Easter was. This way he would figure out how much time he would need to get the race cars ready for a new year of racing! He would get up in the morning and usually it would be on a Sunday and walk outside and say, "I can smell Spring coming!" Mind you it would be around the first week in February and still snowing or raining! I would always say, "Thank you Joe DeNardo!" Mark didn't care about what the ground hog said, he could always tell when Spring was coming, but mostly he was wrong, but we would have a good chuckle! But, this year I will not be racing. I will however, go to the track with the kids to watch them and help them. After all, it is our second "home". For me though, my life has changed and I have to do what I need to do. I continue to go to counseling and lean on my family and friends. I need to be okay and our kids need to be okay first! And I am sure some people understand that. My family needs to heal and we will somewhat. The most important thing to Mark was his kids and me.
When I see our friends and customers they tell me that there's not a day that goes by that they don't think about Mark and that warms my heart and makes me smile. That's all Mark wanted, smiles!! We will continue to smile and shed tears too, but we will do it together! Please remember all those who are fighting their battles and those who are now in Heaven in your prayers. We are all truly blessed to have each other!

Good night, love you all,
Christine

Forever "53"......
Always, "Thinking of Nikki"....

Horsepower by "The Motorworks"....... [/FONT]

[no1fordgirl]

That's very sad. I'm sure she is doing what she feels is best.


2 weeks ago I lost a friend to cancer. She was only 35. She left behind a husband and her not even 2-year-old daughter.

I cant imagine what her little girl has to go through. My life hasnt been the same since, and I thought losing my dad to cancer was hard :(

Thanks for continuing to post these messages. My thoughts and prayers continue for them.

[CobraII]

I definitely hear you there. How I hate cancer.

Christine mentions Nikki at the end of the post below. Nikki is Nikki Deniker. She passed away last August from complication of AML leukemia and a bone marrow transplant, 1 week after her 7th birthday. You are welcome to join her CarePage, which her mom Karen continues, on:
http://www.carepages.com/carepages/NikkiDeniker

Christine's update from last night:

Monday, February 8, 2010 10:35 PM, EST

I have tried many times to write, but there are so many memories and my heart goes from one to the other and I always end up crying as I type just like now. But I have to push myself just like I do with certain things now. My mind has processed and reality is real now. My heart aches but that is mine and it will always ache. Just some days I feel that I am wrapped so tight and I can't move and can't breath. Then there's days when I can get things done. I know this is part of the grieving process and I have my moments but I don't like it and no one should ever have to go through this!
I guess I should clear up some questions too. Many people ask about our kids and who is who. Jerry aka T.T and Joey are my two from a previous marriage. Luke is Mark's from his first marriage and Markie "Boy" and his Dad would call him, is ours. So we have his, mine, and ours. Never a dull moment in the Brewer household. Mark is so proud of his boys even though there were many times he would pull his hair out, but he loves them. He always introduced them as his kids! Mark taught them all to ride mini-bikes and what a time that was! T, climbed a fence, Joey ended missing a tree and hit the porch, Luke was so scared, but his Dad gave him the confidence to ride. Markie, well let's just say he took to it like duck to water! He enjoyed his kids! Then came the driving and many many body parts passed through this house! Mark would get so upset, but he was on the phone rounding up parts and the kids had to help. He truly was a softy! But, the kids knew when Mom was upset! LOL Mark took a big interest in the kid's friends too. There were always kids staying over night at the house or hanging out here. Sunday mornings Mark would ask me how many kids were upstairs and I would tell him and off to McDonalds to get breakfast for them all! But, he made sure if he was working outside, he got all the kids to help!! Mark was always good at getting people to do things they didn't want to do! I caught onto that very quickly!
Every Easter since the kids were young, we would have an Easter egg hunt. It started though with the colored eggs hidden in the house. But one Easter, I didn't follow Mark around to see where he hid them. The kids found most of the eggs except for two I think. Well Mr. Brewer said just wait a couple of weeks and we'll find it! And find it we did! So after that we switched to plastic eggs and Mark would fill them with money, change, vacum caps, nuts, bolts, washers, screws and all kind of stuff. But one special egg had the big bonus in it. He would fill at least 50 eggs. So on Easter Sunday, Mark and I would get up early go out into the yard and woods to hide them. Then the kids would get their plastic bags and Mark would count down and off they went tackling each other to find that special egg! Mark would always watch them and give them hints to where they were hidden too! Then we would sit and go through them to see who got the special egg! We continued this family tradition even though the kids are older! I will make sure those eggs are filled, counted and hidden well this Easter!
Mark liked Easter, it was a new beginning! Mark never lived in the past, never lived with regrets or remorse. He always said that we can't change the past and no matter what we do, we can't change the end result or the outcome. The only thing we can do is to go on and try to make each day better. To be good to each other no matter what. Mark was a big fan of unconditional love. He said to every problem there is a solution. It may take a while, but we'll get through it! That is what I hold on to each and every day! I always hear that whisper, "I'm here baby". And I know he is! Missing you!
Thank you to our boys, Sonya, Tammie, Mike, the kid's friends for taking me out to Scooby's to help me relax and remember the Big Guy! We love you all!
Karen posted a beautiful poem on Nikki's care page. I wanted to copy and paste it here, but it belongs on Nikki's page. Please visit Nikki's care page. The poem means a lot to me too!
Until next time,
Christine
Forever "53" stickers are almost ready for printing. I will have them done before racing starts!
Forever "53".......
Always, "Thinking of Nikki"......