Happy Birthday Tommy!

I wrote a post on Tuesday that originally included a paragraph about my son Tommy. His birthday is February 4th. Six years ago Tommy and I had our second argument (yes, we only ever had 2 arguments). It concerned the car he was driving when he died; enough said.

I have a great son named Thomas Alexander Brown. He was born during a snow storm on February 4, 1974. My husband Tom and I almost lost him at birth, but he survived and grew to be a handsome guy. I made many mistakes and I wish I could go back and do it all over again; but there are no second chances.  Tommy passed away in 2005.

Tommy had a really rough period in his late teens, but he paid his dues and grew to be a wonderful young man.

I wanted to tell you some things about him; things that not many people know:

1. Tommy was an amazing multi-tasker. He was restoring a truck from the 1970's, refurbishing several DVD players and record players, refinishing furniture, fixing my mountain bike and embarking on a strict dog training regimen for his little dog Bubbie Bear at the time of his death. He taught himself to do all those things. He excelled in whatever he embarked upon.      
2. Tommy was a great cook. He could make wicked scalloped oysters to an amazing yankee pot roast.      
3. Tommy was the most wonderful baker. He made delicious breads and chocolate cake that would just melt in your mouth. 
4. I know I have written about this in the past, but Tommy was tested by the Child Study Team for the North Hunterdon-Vorhees School District and they found that he had an above genius IQ. He was incredibly smart, but so was his dad. They both could add, multiply and divide large numbers in their heads.  I'm lost without a calculator.
5. Tommy saved animals. He saved baby bunnies, baby birds, a turtle and a box of kittens from certain death. It was through Tommy that I found there were wild life specialists that nursed orphaned/injured animals to heath. I even got to know a few of them personally! 
6. Tommy looked like a lighter-haired Keanu Reeves. His sister Alison's friends all called him "keanu". After Tommy died I watched one of Keanu's movies; I had to turn it off because it made me miss Tommy so much. I never noticed it before Tommy died, but he had a similar build, walk and mannerisms as Keanu. I still can't watch Keanu's movies. 
7. Many people know that Tommy took care of my mother, but only a few know that he also took care of my dad. Tommy assisted mom and I (and Mary) taking care of dad when he was terminally ill. Tommy helped lift dad and provided personal care for him. He was only a teenager at the time. Dad passed when Tommy was only 16 years old.  
8. Tommy was completely devoted to mom; he deeply loved his "Nana". 
9. Tommy took on the role of brother and father for his brother Steve and sister Alison. He was devoted to them and he was their best friend. Sometimes they were angry with him because he demanded cooperation. Steve wasn't happy when Tommy made him clean up his room and Alison was upset when Tommy took the car away because she didn't meet her curfew. He was at times a much better "parent" than I was. 
10. Tommy was always there to fix what was broken, to heal what was injured. He was constant in his love. 
11. Tommy was a published author at age 12.
12. Tommy never used foul language with me; he never was disrespectful, never talked back.    
13. Tommy spent the last weekend of his life cleaning off the gravestones of his great grandparents and great-great grandparents. He always had such respect for those who have passed. I try to follow in his foot-steps and make sure there are flowers and grave blankets...because love never dies.  

There are so many other things I could say about him; the list goes on and on. He was the best and I was so blessed to have had him in my life for 31 years. He was a far better son than I was a mother. I love him and I miss him.

Happy Birthday to you Tommy!

 

 Tommy and his beloved cat Lilly