T.W.O.

Social Butterfly wrote this essay last year. I shared it with OMomK today and she and SB both gave me permission to post it here.

T.W.O

 

            I don’t remember a time when I didn’t know him, and my life has been irreversibly changed since I’ve lost him. He was there for all of the milestones of my first thirteen years of life. He was my best friends’ dad and my dad’s best friend. He was the most self-less, caring and successful man I have ever had the pleasure to know, and the world would be a better place if he was still here. His name was Thom Owens.

            Most of my memories with him took place on our families’ annual vacation in Mammoth, California where we were always accompanied by the Owens’ family. One day in particular that stands out was a day where Carrie (Thom’s daughter,) and I were left behind from a shopping trip and since we were only eight years old and not very independent, Thom stayed behind with us. We collectively decided to drive out to Red’s Meadows and take a horseback ride down to the most beautiful waterfall in Mammoth. We ventured down to the waterfall and were awed at the beauty and power of the water just as the clouds broke and rain started pouring down on us.

            We ran to our horses and headed back up the trail, laughing and shrieking about the unfortunately timed weather all the way back. I vividly remember thinking how funny it was when I watched the last dry spot on my jeans soak up the rain. When we got back we ran to the general store and Thom treated us each to hot chocolate and a big, new, warm Red’s Meadow sweatshirt. That sweatshirt reached down to my shins when he bought it for me, and now it finally fits, reminding me every time I wear it that the time I had with him wasn’t wasted or insignificant.

            No one knew what to think when Thom got sick, including me. When I really thought about it though, which wasn’t often because I couldn’t bear the thought of something so terrible happening to someone so amazing, I thought about the possibility of losing memories throughout time and losing time with him. And then a smile would come to my face because this thought process, in turn, brought to mind all of the happy times I shared with him and reminded me how much he has taught me and how it would be impossible to ever forget him.

    The nine months that he was sick with lung cancer is fuzzy with confusion and questions:“Why do bad things happen to good people?” “Why Thom?” and “How did this happen?” Of course none of this mattered though because it was happening and “how” or “why” wasn’t relevant anymore. All everyone knew is that we had to cherish every waking second we had left. We did just that, until his very last breath. Both my family and the Owens’ family were there that night, as one family. We told him it was okay and that we loved him. Then he left, forever.

            These are two memories that haven’t left my heart since April 25, 2008 and never will. Something else that will always be in my heart is the image of my favorite picture of him. In the picture he is throwing up the “hang loose” sign with blood dripping down his nose after he fell while mountain biking in Mammoth. There is no better picture to capture the essence of Thom’s fun loving yet hard-core personality. I have learned to accept that Thom was such an amazing person that there are bigger jobs for him to do elsewhere and that he had already touched hundreds of people’s lives on earth, thankfully including mine.

    Thom impacted every person’s life that he was involved in. I will always remember his hearty laugh, contagious smile and red hair like I saw him just yesterday and I will always remember the things he taught me along with the fact that he is now looking down, proud of everything I’ve accomplished. Although I have a dad of my own, I wouldn’t know what to consider Thom if it wasn’t my second father.

Comments

[Busy Bee Suz]

Oh.My.Gosh. That is beautiful. **tear tear**
What a lovely tribute to a special man...surely he would be thrilled to know he had that kind of impact on someone. He sounds like a very special person; unique.
Beautifully written; the nut doesn't fall far from the tree.

[Karen (formerly kcinnova)]

Oh, I'm glad she wrote this, glad you were able to share it with OMomK, and glad that SB was willing to share it with us.
Sharing memories is just another way to keep them alive.

[Arli]

Beautiful and very touching. Hard to believe it was written by someone so young.

[green girl in wisconsin]

What a man, what an impact. What a loss.

[Jenrantsraves]

What a beautiful tribute for an amazing man. Your daughter is pretty amazing herself.

[Aunt Snow]

This is lovely. She honors his life with her words.

[bramble]

Lucky to have known such a man, even luckier to have raised such a daughter.

[steph]

She is talented, to be so in touch with her feelings and to put them to paper in such an authentic way--really lovely.

[Deb D]

SB is a gifted writer. She made the images so real for me. What a lovely and moving tribute. Well done.

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