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.

I miss you......my Valentine!!

My Dear Tom,
I am missing you so much......I have no way to express the emptiness I feel.I long for another chance to show you how much love I have for you. My very special Valentine...you will be alive in my heart forever..............I love you!! XOXOXOX

In Blackwater Woods, by Mary Oliver

Tom loved the poetry of Mary Oliver (Audrey, did you discover her together?) A friend sent me this poem when told of Tom's death:

Look, the trees
are turning
their own bodies
into pillars

of light,
are giving off the rich
fragrance of cinnamon
and fulfillment,

the long tapers
of cattails
are bursting and floating away over
the blue shoulders

of the ponds,
and every pond,
no matter what its
name is, is

nameless now.
Every year
everything
I have ever learned

in my lifetime
leads back to this: the fires
and the black river of loss
whose other side

is salvation,
whose meaning
none of us will ever know.
To live in this world

you must be able
to do three things:
to love what is mortal;
to hold it

against your bones knowing
your own life depends on it;
and, when the time comes to let it go,
to let it go.

The Circus Comes to Town

Was hoping I could find this! Tom sent this to me on Feb 20 2008. He was such an articulate person, as we all know. He was a gentle soul born into this tough guy kind of life. He mainly merged the two wonderfully but it was after all an uneasy cohabitation. Sigh. xoxo Audrey

Hope this works: (click on link) (or cut and paste link)

http://www.box.net/shared/fxdtq42ma4

Lovable Tom

This photo was taken at the Ninigret Dance Festival in Sept. 2004 and, as you can see, Tom was loved by all. When I introduced Tom to zydeco dancing, he took to it like a fish to water. His natural athleticism combined with his love for music made dancing a perfect fit for him. My friends in the dance community welcomed his friendliness and easy sense of humor. They were all laughing as they posed for this silly picture that I took.

Tom and I loved to play together.....he had some crazy laser light he would torment me with. He was warm to snuggle with and I loved to visit the Berkshires!

When Judy brought me home my name was "Doober".....it wasn't long before Tom figured out how very cool I am and he decided my name should be changed to D'uber....The Superior Kitty. He always had a way of communicating with me.......I will miss him and his mice a whole lot!!

Hello to my cousins Rocco & Breeze!!!!XOXOXOXOXOXOX

2004 Article about Tom and the Fresh Air program

I hope this works...You should be able to read the article here - just click on the link below.
http://www.box.net/shared/1tjypl907r

In the park taking pictures...

Thinking Man?!