Celebration of Tom's Life - Saturday, June 26th - 1:00 pm - 24 Seekonk Cross - Great Barrington, MA

Gail Natoli, a friend of Tom's has graciously opened her home located at 24 Seekonk Cross in Great Barrington for us to gather to remember a cherished father, grandfather, cousin, and friend - Tom.

On behalf of Tom's daughter and son-in-law Jen & Erik Alman, we have chosen Rich Hayes to lead the ceremony. After offering some words of comfort, Rich will probably open the floor for anyone interested in sharing some thoughts, memories, or musings significant to Tom's life. I'm sure Jen will love to hear from those that knew her dad.

We are hoping that those of you that knew Tom well will be able to post some of his favorite music, poems, etc. here on the Blog. You can simply add your contribution as a comment on this post. Jen is hoping to use some of these pieces in a slideshow she is putting together.

To help us make the necessary arrangements, please RSVP to:

Debbie Flitman, Cell: 401-965-2025


"When you are joyous, look deep into your heart and you shall find it is only that which has given you sorrow that is giving you joy. When you are sorrowful look again in your heart, and you shall see that in truth you are weeping for that which has been your delight." ~ Kahlil Gibran, On Joy and Sorrow

Missing you still

I want to speak with you, hear you laugh, hear your words of wisdom, see your eyes crinkle, get choked up watching a movie together. Ahh, dear Tom, I would give so much to rewind the film and rewrite it, ending with "to be continued..."

Tom's Lawn Bowling 1995

Our lives had taken different paths over the years, but Tom & I tried to stay in touch. In 1995 Tom sent me a copy of this article from the Press-Telegram Long Beach, CA about his participation in a sport he took up – lawn bowling!

Tom doing the tourist thing in his old hometown!

Happy Birthday Lover

Happy Birthday to you...Dear Tom.........I should be cooking and fussing over you right now! You continue to give me gifts instead. I will cherish our time together and perhaps be a bit jealous that you now will be forever young!! Miss you Baby! XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOX

For Good

Because of you, I've been changed for the better.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uzrGFQysfYU

So many things I wish I would have said.

Debbie

My heart is broken.......

Oh Tom........I am not sure how I can say goodbye to you.....so I choose not to. I have the comfort of knowing our last days together were joyful and we felt deep love for each other. How I wish I could change the events of your life that led you to this painful choice. I am a much better person for knowing you and will never regret loving you unconditionally. Our time together in Monterey was magical..........I was there when you first moved into the "farm" and I was there when you left. A part of my heart will always be in Monterey..........XOXOX

Jim Croce - Tomorrow's Gonna Be A Brighter Day - Digitally Remastered

Jim Croce - Tomorrow's Gonna Be A Brighter Day - Digitally Remastered

The resurrection and the light

Ah, Tom, I wish you'd held on for the first tender shoots of green reaching upward from the warming earth. Today would be a great day to take your bike out for a ride. Hope and the possibility of redemption are so alive in the world at this moment and you are nowhere to be found. I guess all of us who loved you will feel the pain in fresh ways with each new season. I want to hear your Cowardly Lion laugh again.

Words of Comfort

It's been 83 days since my last conversation with my long time friend Tom, and my heart still aches with saddness. I often search for words of comfort during this period of grief. Following is a quote by Tao Te Ching. I thought it made a lot of sense so I would like to share it with you. "Amidst the worldy comings and goings, observe how endings become beginnings." I will be keeping this quote in mind as I desperately search for comfort from this tragic loss.