Monday, February 22, 2021
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To all the family of Tom:
I knew him as Tommy and for a brief period, we were friends in Forest, MS. Tommy moved away and so did I. I lived overseas most of my adult life and only in this past year have we reconnected in those limited missives called Facebook. I was hoping to see him once the COVID crisis settled down a bit. Tommy and I knew each other during that sometimes dark period of post-elementary / pre-high school. What was endearing to me was his humor, dry wit, and loyalty. And I always thought he had an unassuming good mind. At the end of our relatively brief childhood friendship, I felt like I had let him--and myself--down. Of course, we were just kids. Tom moved on and grew up and, through divergent paths, I have as well. I had hoped, over fifty years later, to spend some time together and close the circle. Now suddenly, he's gone, like a breath taken away without warning. Since receiving the news, I've lost some sleep--reliving, replaying, and reexamining those times long ago. As a result, I'm currently writing a short story about a scrapbook period long ago. To all of Tom's family, I convey condolences. I only wish we could have had him longer. Like a tapestry, we are all the sum of the myriad pieces of our life experience. Tom is in there, inside of me, a part that will always remain. Kindly, Greg Jacob
