I had originally written this as a thank you to Tom’s work. But it applies to everyone who has helped me in one way or another. ❤️
Dear Friends and Family,
Alex, Maggie and I have received so many thoughtful notes, cards, emails, texts,and FB messages from hundreds of people all over the world. Some of them left me crying in the driveway while walking back up from the mailbox. I was truly grateful to read the memories you had written and it helped give me strength to forge on through this difficult time. Thank you also to those who brought or sent us food.
Tom was just the best person I ever met. He was truly genuinely kind. He was a wonderful husband, father, brother and friend. He cared deeply about everyone he met, and listened (really listened) to them when he asked how their day was. He was so, so good.
On our first date he told me that someday he was going to be the CEO of a big company. I didn’t even know what a that was (I was only 18!!), I was just impressed that a 20 year old guy was really thinking about and planning for his future. I remember thinking after that date, “I don’t know where this guy is going in his life, but I KNOW I want to be there beside him!’
And thank God I was!
There were a lot of twists and turns on the way to his *dream* job, but he did it! We were so proud of him and he was a great example for our kids.
He LOVED his job. He loved the math, the analyzing, the critical thinking, the reading. He loved visiting with his friends at work and catching up with his friends on his “field trips” to other branches.
I emphasized *dream* job, because he literally would wake up in the middle of the night and write himself notes for things to do the next day at work. He would have post-its all over the bathroom counter. In the morning when I would ask, “What is all this scribble?” the answer would sometimes surprise me. Sometimes it was how to do his job more effectively, or how he could help someone else do their job more effectively. Once it was how to accommodate the nursing mothers and how to fit a private room into the floor plan. Once it was to remember to ask me which children’s items and books we weren’t using anymore so he could give them to someone whose family was in distress. One time it was how to get more women to apply for management positions. Many post-its were regarding how to help an employee whose family member had a long term illness, or had car accidents, or divorces, or the death of a loved one.
I loved this about him and I loved to help him think of solutions. I will really miss all those post-it notes cluttering up my bathroom counter. And I’m sure right now, if he could, my name would be on a post-it stuck to the counter, with advice he might have for me. It would be really good advice, too.
I just wanted to take a minute to thank you for your kindness and to share a couple of stories with you. I have gotten hundreds of notes that I will keep forever and hopefully my children will read them someday too. And the stories that were shared with us at the visitation and funeral will always be remembered.
Thank you again, your thoughtfulness is helping us heal little by little and lifting us up to higher ground.
Sincerely,
Erin