Dear Tom, Dear Barb, Dear Carolyn,
« Some people come into our lives and quickly go, some stay for a while, leave a footprint on our haerts and we are never ever the same. »
As you know, I was blessed to have met you, and zandra in August of the year 1992… Two lost AFS student in Olmsted Falls…What could have been better than meeting you and your "gaywad" family?
Zandra and I knew that this year was going to be special but we never hoped for such a Special year. You made it possible, you opened your home for 2 weird foreigners (you used to call us „Gaywads“ too as part of the gaywad family) and were interested in sharing your life with us. Not only sharing your life but sharing what most people forget: sharing your feelings, taking a risk, and sharing your love without fearing to be hurt.
I Always felt right into your family and you offered me your arms when I needed it and was desparately looking for another host family... You made it possible for me to stand it for just a little longer until I also found my family… You always picked us up everywhere with a joke…,… Now, we are allowed to say it, we actually liked it better to be around you than with people our ages… It was so much fun to be around you…
I have to say, without you, I would not be the woman I am today.
You have made the best year of my life, you have oppened my horizons, you have showed me how simple it can be to love, and care.
I was torned appart when we had to say goodbye the first time in July 1993, and going back to what was supposed to be my country, my family, my friends…
I came back to Belgium with a broken heart but filled with rich experiences and knowing that this wasn’t just going to be like for everybody else : just a year in between, were promises remains not fullfilled…
I knew our „story“ was going to be different, it could not have been like everybody else’s story because, it was You, Barb, Carolyn, Zandra and me… we were and we had something special all together. We haven’t miss an occasion to meet again either in Mexico or in all your different houses… I think I only missed one of them!!
You were part of the best year of my live, those were the best moments of my life and it hurts to let you go.
I love you and you are part of my life, even not being around, you have actually always been inside of me.
Today is a sad day, even in Belgium, Mexico, Brazil, and Switzerland. Here too, the time has stopped and I have lite a candle in my heart for you that will never fade away.
I know, you wanted a nice funeral and being in the business, I am sure it was.
Thank you Tom, Thank you Barb.
We will all have to learn to live without you but with everything you have taught us and cherish the memory…
I remember you driving with your footh out the window
I remember you making up fake Birthdays in restaurants to tease carolyn or any other victim
I remember your sparkling eyes when you just made a joke
I remember your funny faces
I remember you calling me « Belgique »
I remember you keeping moving and joking about it saying that you tried to get rid of us but that you didn’t succeed…
I remember you opening you arms for me
I remember you forgetting to give me you right adress last summer when i came back with the whole family… And that we had to meet in the rain in front of your former house and scaring the new holders…
I remember you imitating my big smile on the picture you use to have in the living room…
I remember you bringing me to laugh until the tears
I remember you « adopting » my girls when we last visited in july 2010.
I don’t know how to tell them… Tom is gone, he is looking at us from the far and is probably smiling from above.
You always made fast decisions, and this last one was’nt yours but still it was your „way“.
It was the best year of my live, those were the best moments of our life and you are part of it.
I am missing you already and feeling so sad that we could make it. I am thinking of you and all my thoughts are going to Barb and Carolyn. Be strong, and w
