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Post by franzie on Oct 15, 2007 8:18:21 GMT -5
Franzie Often when someone decides to take their life they seem happier and more at ease than ever. It is because they have made the decision and feel a sense of relief. You often won't see really overt signs. I think the best thing at this time is to remember Tom and to hope that he has found peace. and Tom did seem happier in his last few months or weeks?
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Post by Smiley on Oct 15, 2007 8:34:06 GMT -5
and no one could avert it? Obviously Please let the subject rest now.
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Post by franzie on Oct 15, 2007 8:39:44 GMT -5
sorry, didnt mean to harm you!!!!!!
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Post by HollyH on Oct 15, 2007 8:52:16 GMT -5
Your curiosity is natural, Franzie. But I think acceptance and forgiveness are essential at this point. As a community, the best we can do right now is help each other heal and deal with our grief.
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Post by franzie on Oct 15, 2007 10:13:27 GMT -5
its just hard to live with the fact that Tom´s forever gone without having a clue WHY and why just Tom. thats why i was asking these questions, i am so sorry holly and smiley!
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Post by TomT on Oct 15, 2007 18:01:04 GMT -5
We need to give it some time Franzie. His family is really grieving at this point.
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Post by Rosemary Rose on Oct 21, 2007 1:58:43 GMT -5
Thanks for the kind words Ro Ro. I loved that song from when it came out a few years ago. It's beautiful. Our hearts go out to you and your family. I can only imagine how torn up you are over this. Thank you, TomT. I am slowly healing by remembering all of the good times, tempering grief with gratitude that I got to know Tom in the first place. We are all very forunate in that respect. I'm pasting this from the gray board: Below are some photos of Tom at my sister’s wedding, or I should say the little shindig we had after the small ceremony (thus the casual attire). We were the first ones up and dancing and slowly, more people joined, but these are the only pics we have. My sister got married on May 27th, 2006, the day before Tom’s 42nd birthday. Steve Guyger, a stand-out blues musician (you can watch his clips on Youtube) was hired to play. It turns out Tom knew Guyger and had played with him. I got up the nerve to invite Tom and his guitar to the event and they both happily accepted. We all drank, danced and made merry and then at some point, after Guyger’s set, Tom mounted the little deck being used as a stage (you can see it in the background of the pics) and launched into Kinks classics such as, “Sunny Afternoon,” “Ring the Bells,” and “Well Respected Man.” Later in the evening, those left standing gathered around a giant campfire. I would say there were about 40 people. Tom led us all in an hour long sing along of Beatles, Stones, Dylan and Kinks tunes. Everyone shouted out requests and Tom obliged. There wasn’t a song he didn’t know. Considering the amount of beers he’d downed and the time of night, Tom was pretty lucid and he played and sang brilliantly. The memory is burned in my mind forever. I wish I had pics of this part of the evening, but it was too dark. One highlight or funny part was when he played “Wild Horses.” Most of us, for various reasons, could not remember past the first stanza and chorus. It was like that SNL sketch where people mumble lines to Beatles songs softly and then break out loud and confident for the parts they do know. Tom, found this amusing and was very accommodating. He played some of the other verses, but when he saw we couldn’t keep up, he kindly indulged us by playing the same first stanza and chorus over and over again. My sister and brother-in-law, Joe, (the first two from the left in the pics) are eternally grateful to Tom for providing one of the high points of their special day. Tom played and played right into the next day. I was keeping watch and when it struck midnight, we all cried out, MIDNIGHT! And then we all sang Tom Happy Birthday. (We knew all the words to this one and sang with gusto.) Tom just sat there and grinned and then at the end, he shot up and strummed some chords really fast as a little outro. We played and talked some more and then people slowly started to leave, but Tom and I were still charging hard. In the end, it was just him, me and some guy in a tent, Randy. We sang some more, jabbered about everything under the moon and then watched the sun rise. By 10am the next day, I was down for the count on the grass. (The “reception’ took place in a friend’s backyard.) When I opened one eye, I saw Tom bouncing about helping my new brother-in-law and his friends take down the tents and pick up all the beer bottles. (“What is this man made of?” I wondered.) I knew it was time to get busy, so I called Tom over who helped pull me up to a vertical position. “Good morning, dancing girl,” he said. “Happy birthday,’ I replied. I also told him he shouldn't have to work on his birthday, but he insisted. He just smiled and winked and said it was no problem. Thank you, Major, for making us sing, dance and laugh. For adding more life to our lives. That’s a beautiful gift, an incredible power. And as I told his family, while Tom may have left too soon, he had a d**n good run. He accomplished more and touched more lives than most who live to be twice his age. Watched the taillights fading, there ain't a dry eye in the house
They're laughing and singing Started dancing and drinking as I left town. Gonna find my way to heaven, `cause I did my time in hell. I wasn't looking too good but I was feeling real well.
After all is said and done I gotta move I had my fun. Let us walk before they make me run
After all is said and done I did alright, I had my fun. I will walk before they make me run. --Keith Richards
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Post by nancyb on Oct 21, 2007 9:27:12 GMT -5
What a nice memory of Tag, Thanks for posting them.
I was going through my cd's in the car and I found the original crows and floozies cd from the grey board and thought of Tom. He will be missed.
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Post by nicola6 on Oct 21, 2007 9:50:51 GMT -5
Thanks for sharing your story and photos, RoRo. What a beautiful memory and tribute.
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Post by rose on Oct 21, 2007 9:59:16 GMT -5
thank you for sharing, RoRo. How lucky you all were to have Tom and his music added to your gathering. And Tom was fortunate, too, to have been invited to share in the joy & fun. I'm sure that weekend meant a lot to him.
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Post by TomT on Oct 21, 2007 10:04:53 GMT -5
That's great Ro Ro. Thanks for sharing. Oh for some video of Tom playing and singing for you guys....
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Post by Smiley on Oct 22, 2007 19:15:43 GMT -5
Thank you. God Bless
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Post by franzie on Oct 23, 2007 10:54:27 GMT -5
i got Tom's Age Of Wheel today, and i really love it he was such a talented guy and i became very sad when listened to his music.
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Post by HollyH on Oct 23, 2007 19:48:30 GMT -5
The funny thing is, I become LESS sad when I listen to his music -- it's like having him still here with us. And his album is so full of life and passion and all that good stuff, I just feel uplifted whenever I hear it.
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Post by Smiley on Oct 23, 2007 19:59:18 GMT -5
I agree.. I can only send him good thoughts and love when I listen. Especially Crazy Brother Bob
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