Remembering My Son, Matthew James Bergman

[navymom777]

Dear Navy Moms,

 

First I want to take a moment to thank every one of you for the service of your sons, daughters and spouses. It is important to reinforce how important our military personnel are to the United States and her citizens all over the world. I am very grateful to be amongst this great community of people who have joined together to honor those who work everyday to insure our freedoms and our liberties. It is my hope that this entry will be an encouragement to all of you who look to one another for support while sailors are doing what they love to do and that there are no regrets in good times and times of peril. Be encouraged by this post.

 

Matthew James Bergman was destined to impact the lives of everyone from the day he was born. Everyday he woke up smiling and ready to live each day to the fullest. I cannot remember a time where Matt was not engaged in learning everything about everything. When he started school his teachers talked about his uncanny intelligence and how they felt he was way beyond his learning level. 

 

When Matt was in the first grade he was placed in classes to test his IQ and in the second grade he went into a program called Spectrum that allowed kids to expand their learning capabilities and exercise their knowledge. As he grew and excelled it was apparent that Matt had a gift to learn way beyond his age range and he was antsy in school. Many times he would even challenge his teachers but they would find ways to help him excel in everything he did. He hated homework and thought it was a bit silly. However, he loved studying with other people and finding ways to help his friends get through school by showing them quirky ways to learn their subjects. He loved his friends and being around people and exchanging jokes and talking about anything and everything.

 

Anyone who knows Matt would agree that the most endearing quality about Matt was that he knew how to find solutions to just about anything. He was a great listener and helped people come together and resolve even some of the hardest problems or issues that they might be facing. He never spoke out of turn or made anyone feel less than #1. So many times he would happen upon some very difficult situations and he was always able to help people find a way to get through.

 

Matthew and I were very close. There were no "10 minute" phone calls. We would talk for hours about everything and anything. When he was a senior in High School we would get up at 5 in the mornings and go to the park and walk or jog and talk about all of the things he wanted to do in the Navy. His service to his country was very paramount in his mind and he was determined to do the very best at everything he did, no matter how small.

 

The years that he was gone for DLI school and his time in Georgia he would call and we would talk about his deployment and his language studies. I feel honored that he shared those times with me. Looking back throughout his life I cannot think of one time where we ever exchanged an ill word. His relationship with me surpassed every trial and overshadowed every personal issue we might be facing at the time. I feel honored that God chose me to be his mother and I will forever be thankful that He saw me worthy to be a steward over such a lovely person. 

 

I cherish every word that ever passed between Matthew and I. My last conversation with him was brief but the words that I will hold forever were, "Mom, I love you very much. Kiss Hawk for me. Talk to you soon. I love you". 

 

This Saturday will be both celebratory and bitter sweet. I know he will receive the highest honor and we will stand tall and remember Matthew the way we ALL knew him. Sweet, resolute, compassionate, joyful, intelligent, observant, faithful, loyal, true, honorable, vivacious, ambitious, full of hope and ready to serve anyone at any time. Please hold your heads up for him and remember that his life is a tribute to God and that God knows his name and one day we will all see Matthew again, smiling, waiting and reaching out for us all.

 

God Bless America,

Melody Paxton

[Joanie Tyler's Mom(133 Bees)]

So sorry for your loss...it seems that you and your son made the most of any time you had together...those are such wonderful memories...just know that we are so proud of all your son accomplished and he will be remembered as a wonderful HERO forever....will be praying for you during this difficult time.  Joanie

[Terri(Machinist Mate Mom)]

Thank you so much for such a wonderful young man. Much tribute to his parents for raising someone like Matthew. God gave us a hero and an angel. God Bless you and your family!

 

[Anchor Mom5]

Melody, what beautiful words.  I thank you for bringing up such a wonderful young man that proudly served our country!  I will never forget you, your family , or Matthew and how you made the ultimate sacrafice.  Prayers.

 

[pproudmom]

Dear Bergman family,

Matthew was truely a blessing from God. He will always be remembered for his gifted abilities to remember things, but also remembered for his gift to the country that he served and loved. Our prayers are with your family. We are sailor families that will always stick together. I am glad that you can come to NFM to help get through a very tough time. We love you!!

 

[ebigirl]

What a beautiful tribute to your son. My thanks to you and your family for raising such a devoted son. Please accept my condolences and know you family will remain in my thoughts and prayers forever.

[BEVERLY (kyles mom)]

So Sorry for your loss. Our prayers are with you and your family

[Mamamary805 (Joe's mom)]

May the Lord carry you & your family through this time of grief. May your memories of your son carry you through with the comfort of thre Lord. God Bless you all.

Mary

[hotrod (ship 09 div 323)]

so very sorry for your loss and my prayers are with you, you two made the time you had together very rich and full

[proudmama ship10 div267]

Alls I can possible say is may god bless you and your family.There are no other words.

[TexasMomof2]

Thank you so much for sharing this with us......he will always be with you.  And we are here for you.  Let us know how you're doing.  We are all here for each other and we care.  May peace be with you!  :o)