Thoughts about Tommy's Passing

To lose a child is a parent's worst nightmare, and there is no more accurate way of describing it than that. We aren't alone with this trauma, as many families across the globe have suffered from it. Yet what a priest said makes sense, which is "Your loved one is no longer in pain, but you are." How true that is, and when I look up in the sky in anguish, I realize that I am nothing. This is not a negative feeling whatsoever, but a comforting one, as I now know that I am nothing but a body of 75% water, and miniscule in comparison to our globe's total population. Think about it, isn't it a marvel to human resilience to think of all the people right now. Imagine your city, or state and all of those people, and then multiply it by the United States, or the entire world.

Who are we, and what does it matter what we think, when you realize how small you are compared to the rest of the globe, or our planet, and the solar systems known and unknown that envelop our existence. We are nothing but "dust in the wind" like the famous Kansas classic rock song talks about. Yet even with our status of being nothing, Tommy was able to achieve so much in his short life. Against all odds, he was able to convey more about the importance of enjoying each day, even though he wasn't able to say a word. He expressed what he wanted through facial gestures, and nothing more.

I look back at my thirty plus years, and think what have I accomplished compared to him? Sure doctors might say genetic defect, but I ponder now that Tommy was the closest thing to perfection. He never harmed a soul with his disparaging vocabulary or actions. How many of us can honestly say that, since by nature we are nothing but a bunch of imperfect souls who make countless mistakes on a daily basis. We sometimes regret saying something negative later on, and rarely apologize for it. The leaders of our countries are engaging in "politicking" rather than focusing on the issues of human suffering, while they enjoy gourmet meals and service fit for a king.

Tommy is dearly missed, but his inspiration will live on, and a cure for Angelman Syndrome must be found. All of us imperfect souls need to find a way, to get to this done. That is our mission in life to help others, and I've been amazed by the decency that I've seen from fellow imperfect human beings the past couple of weeks. We might be pieces of dust blowing in the wind, or a body that is nothing but water, but we need to follow our conscience. That is a higher calling that comes from our very souls, and we must face our imperfections, and remember how perfect those with special needs truly are. They are angels that live among us.