On December 26th I received a phone call from the father of a childhood friend. The man told me his wife died of pneumonia last February. Then he went on to tell of the death of his son, my old friend, last July. Tom died in Thailand of pneumonia, just like his mother, who he loved very much. I hadn't seen him in 20 years, but he was probably the most important childhood friend I had. I was too stunned to say much in that phone conversation, but I have been grieving ever since. I thought I'd be able to check in with him forever.Tom you were heaven sent to me. The laughter I shared with you during my gradeschool years is one of my most precious memories. Even though we were guilty of cruel mockery of those around us, there was something both healing and teaching in our silly games. What I wouldn't give for one of your little torn paper 'magazines' from sixth grade, with the drawings and the rants. Somewhere I have a 'Certificate of Self' you gave me the last time I saw you alive. You were my chief cheerleader and my gentle mocker. I loved you to the best of my childish ability and I will love you always.
