Walking for Tom with Mom and Dad 10/18/09

Once again my mom had a stellar idea. In celebration of Tom's life near his birthday we would walk around Memorial park with lanterns. A few nights ago, just when it was getting cold we bundled up, got Blossom in the car and met at Potbelly's sandwich shop in Uptown for some pre-activity fuel.

It reminded me of a story. About one year ago, Tom was undergoing his second radiation and no longer driving. Lots of people pitched in and drove him to his radiation including John Picciotto. After radiation one day John suggested they stop and have a sandwich at Potbelly's on 59. John said he wanted to go there because Penny (his wife) would not eat there with him. John's comment was mostly conversational. Penny would eat anywhere but she is not generally a sandwich eater. But Tom took it to heart.

A week later John (pictured on left) again took Tom. Tom had been hankering for a chicken fried steak so I pulled John aside and suggested if they go out to eat to take him to a place where this craving could be satisfied. On the way to lunch John suggested they head to a nearby Texas style place for some good southern cooking. Tom asked if instead they could go back to Potbelly's. John said 'sure' and they headed that way.

Later that day when I found out, I asked Tom why he did not get the CFS he wanted. He said John was so nice to drive; the least he could do is give John a chance to eat Potbelly without Penny finding out. Somehow shortly thereafter things managed to speed up to supersonic fast motion and I don't know that Tom ever got his chicken fried steak. I'll bet Tom happily gave up that meal so John could be happy. In some ways Tom was really amazing.

Anyway, back to the walk. It was cool. There was a slight breeze and all the stars were out. It was quiet. We lit the candle lanterns and kept a good pace around the park. We stopped half way in the gazebo and said some prayers. Blossom laid there and sighed and seemed to know how special this walk was. A few people gave us encouragement and one man asked a lot of questions about Tom. At the end a runner took our picture.

For all the miles, one hundred or more I expect, that Tom and I did running around the park, this lap was perhaps the most special. Thank you for the idea mom. And mostly, thanks for all the support and love mom and dad. It was a wonderful, wonderful night.