Matt Carrington

Matt was my cousin. We are related through my father and his cousin Greg. All through my life matt has been around. He has played Frisbee, rode bikes, rafted, rocked, fished, and played sports with me in my life.

We would always go up to Yosemite and camp for a while. He would always be there with the rest of the group. I was a little younger than he was so I didn’t get to spend time with him as much as I thought; I usually played with his younger brother Travis. There were times as I got older, that we would play Frisbee at dusk, Uncle Greg would put a glow stick on the bottom to make it easier to see in the dark. This was probably one of the funnest things we did.

As time went on and we all got older the camping started to die down and the trips were further apart we didn’t get to see Matt as much. Every once and awhile we would have a BBQ at Uncle Ken’s house and he would be there with the rest of the family. I remember asking Matt how DVC was; because I knew I would probably end up there. He would tell me it was good and that he liked his film study class the best because the movies were good. No matter what he would always answer my questions and I had so many, but I don’t think it bothered him. He knew I would stop sometime or later.

I remember the last time I saw Matt in person. My Dad and me went to a Metallica concert with uncle Greg and Matt. I was so excited about the concert, plus I hadn’t seen Matt or Uncle Greg in awhile so that was good. At fist it was kind of awkward, but once the music started to play we just rocked out together like a couple of buddies. I’m glad I got to have that experience with him because it was special and it’s the last memory I have of him.

Matt was a good guy; he never said anything bad about anyone else even if they seemed to deserve it. He would always include you if you asked and he always played fair. He loved sports especially basketball, baseball, and football. Matt always had a calm feel to him, but he could also be funny. He would crack some jokes and share in the laughter than Uncle Greg and my Father would kick up out of nowhere.

I wish someday I could live my life the way Matt did with kindness to everyone and a sense that everyone should be treated the same way no matter who they were. I hope to follow in the same footsteps through school, and transfer into a college as he did. Matt is an important role model to me. I will remember and miss him for the rest of my life.

Sincerely,
Brian Smith