Thursday Morning - a Thunderstorm

It's Thursday morning here in Austin and there is a thunderstorm making its way past the house. I figure all I can do is sit and relax until the storm has passed.

A year ago Sharon passed to another world; early this morning, 1am, if I recall correctly.  My dearest friend, Dreena, and Gerry, Sharon's mom, stayed with Sharon night and day for two weeks in a cramped intensive care room at South Austin Hospital. They were at Sharon's side holding her hand and talking with her the entire time. I was able to spend time with Lily at home, keeping that part of our life stable in some manner as Lily finished school. I remember being internally torn in two with where to be - home or the hospital. Dreena took my hand each evening and said, "Tom, go home and be with Lily. That is what Sharon would want you to do. I will stand by Sharon here for us."  My eyes are watering up as I write this note.

I called Dreena last night. I just wanted to hear her voice and tell her I loved her. Lily, Justin and I had dinner with Gerry last night at her place. We said a prayer.

I tossed and turned relentlessly through the early morning hours. I could see Sharon. I could feel her. There were so many memories flashing through my mind I hardly slept.

We've passed through 12 months together as a community on this blog.   I am confident in saying that in all 52 weeks of this year I received at least one or more emails, calls, handwritten notes or personal visits from people in the More To Life and Waldorf communities, from BMC Software folks that I work with, and people around the world I don't even know. I was never alone. I remain amazed and full of gratitude at so many lovely surprises of thoughtfulness.   Each time, those events would lift me up and remind me I was loved and Sharon will always be remembered.

So what is next? More life, of course - each day and each hour! And I plan to release some pictures of the memorial service for Sharon along with a possible re-release of the memorial video that Ann McMaster led with such grace and love. It just depends on my time today and tomorrow, so keep checking back.

I have some rather interesting posts about blogging coming up. It seems the community of friends here are getting up to speed on blogging for their own purposes. I want to encourage and help that process along, so I'll be acknowledging that more and more.  Which reminds me of something I want to say now about Bruce Mulkey and Shonnie Lavender's blog.

Please visit Shonnie and Bruce's blog to see the post that commemorates their 8th wedding anniversary. What is so beautiful about this post is how open, transparent and utterly simple their approach is to creating and maintaining their relationship.  Notice how they put their vows together and how they keep it fresh.  I hope everyone who is thinking about a serious relationship and especially those getting married will learn from Bruce and Shonnie's experiences. I sure have.

With love and gratitude
Tom

Comments

[Shonnie Lavender]

Tom, thank you for such acknowleding words about Bruce and me. It's an honor to be regarded in this way. I'm grateful that as we began our relationship journey we had couples like you and Sharon to learn from and stand alongside.

Much love, always in all ways.
Shonnie

[Jonathan Singer]

Tom,

Thanks for keeping me up to date on your life. And thanks for reminding me that it has been an entire year... I can't believe it. Seriously. I can't believe it...

love, honor and respect,
jonathan

[Jeanenne Tucker]

Tom, what a beautiful piece - I loved watching it, even as the tears rolled down my cheeks. I just guess I'm always going to miss Sharon -- she started me on my path to living my life fully and honestly nearly 10 years ago. Your "tender" truth and the manner in which you share it on this blog touch me deeply. I was healing from my first mastectomy at the time of Sharon's passing and memorial service.........here I am one year later -- scheduled to have my second mastectomy on June 19.

I wholeheartedly agree with you about what next -- life and more life, for sure, and the commitment to fully live it as long as I am breathing -- thanks to Sharon "waking" me up 10 years ago. I send much love to you and your family -- keep listening to Sharon's chimes!

Jeanenne Tucker
Richmond, TX

[Robert Langham]

Dear Tom: I hadn't heard a whisper of this news until today. The last time I saw Sharon was the day after WOW 2000, in Georgia.

Just yeaterday I wore my WOW polo shirt Tish Stoots gave me after the workshop. I bet I haven't worn it ten times but it hangs in sight in the closet. Every time I put it on I remember the group at WOW and the marvelous staff, including Sharon. She was a lovely person, a very HUMAN being. My thoughts are with you and her and your family this eve.

Best wishes for what was, will be and where we are tonight.

Robert Langham
Tyler, Texas

[Margaret]

Tom,
I'm thinking of you on this day. One year ago, you gave me a gift...a gift of time spent with you, Sharon, and the family just hours before she left this earth. My sincerest thanks...At the tender ages of 18 and 19, Sharon and I started our spiritual journeys together. To be with Sharon in the beginning of that journey and to wish her well through her transition was a true celebration in Sharon manner - full of light, love, life, and laughter. This past Sunday, Sharon visited me in my dreams - we were at a party laughing and talking as if we had just talked yesterday...it's the same feeling I have with your sister, Patti. No matter how long it's been, I can pick up the phone and continue on...Sharon continues to give her love each day, and sharing your journey of love and celebrating her life is the greatest gift of all.

Lily, you look lovely without your braces!

All my love to you and the family,
Margaret

[sue jacoby]

Love and Gratitude to you as well, Tom, for continuing to share Sharon and your family with us. I love this website for the authenticity, warmth and depth of feeling it evokes. Thank you.

Sue Jacoby
California