tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8465368768809741489.post2074488048713554856..comments2024-03-20T10:51:02.802-05:00Comments on Postcards From Mercyland: Snow AngelsPhil Madeirahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09541966641322415672noreply@blogger.comBlogger25125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8465368768809741489.post-30328256594031428512010-04-07T02:40:31.906-05:002010-04-07T02:40:31.906-05:00Thanks, kind readers.
Yes, Tom G, I remember the...Thanks, kind readers. <br />Yes, Tom G, I remember the "big pink bell". Tom was a funny guy.<br />pmPhil Madeirahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09541966641322415672noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8465368768809741489.post-10554115088865218122010-02-16T01:51:02.058-06:002010-02-16T01:51:02.058-06:00Beautiful and touching, Phil. Tom's humor was ...Beautiful and touching, Phil. Tom's humor was one of a kind. Your Sherlock story reminds me of another hilarious TH take on a folk classic- I'll never forget him singing "If I had a hammer, and you had a ham; I'd hammer that ham, into a big pink bell." The world now has a Tom Howard-shaped void in its heart.Tom Gnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8465368768809741489.post-65612652338403353852010-02-08T15:01:05.462-06:002010-02-08T15:01:05.462-06:00Phil, what a touching tribute...thanks for sharing...Phil, what a touching tribute...thanks for sharing your heartfelt memories and endearing friendship with Tom.carolyntidwellhttp://facebook.netnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8465368768809741489.post-76875037739883159142010-02-06T23:40:02.266-06:002010-02-06T23:40:02.266-06:00Phil,
What a beautifully written tribute to Tom, t...Phil,<br />What a beautifully written tribute to Tom, to friendship and to grace. It really touched me. I hope it is cathartic for you. I've been to way too many funerals in the last few years, it seems all my best friends are dead. <br /> <br />I barely knew Tom, much as I barely know you, yet both of you have had a large impact on my life both musically and spiritually. I probably should have told you that before now. Every time I hear "Stardust" or "The Memory of You" I think about singing those jazz standards with you a few hours before a Rich Mullins gig in the early 90's. That's a good memory.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8465368768809741489.post-16318276288348543222010-02-06T20:47:37.051-06:002010-02-06T20:47:37.051-06:00Phil, thanks for painting the touching memorial fo...Phil, thanks for painting the touching memorial for your friend. My heart's heavy because my Dad's health is failing but I'm grateful for the comforting words and reminder of eternity's hope.Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07387638841136970727noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8465368768809741489.post-40523138005838576122010-02-06T17:57:29.668-06:002010-02-06T17:57:29.668-06:00One other thought . . . although i'd gotten wo...One other thought . . . although i'd gotten word from a couple sources of Tom's passing Friday night, I had no knowledge of the wake Sunday; and in some ways, I'm so glad I did not know. I don't think I could have gotten out of our snowbound neighborhood yet, plus I would have probably fidgeted around here in regret I couldn't be there and perhaps in a little envy of those who were.<br /><br />Again Philip, your elegant and vulnerable recap not only makes me feel as though I were there, it also paints even more of the detail and nuances of the lovely and complex friend who has left us behind (at least for a little while.) Thanks for that generous gift!<br /><br />Janet and I made a road trip this weekend to visit our younger daughter and her family in Atlanta. WHen your "Ghost of Johnny Cash" cycled around on the iPod, I couldn't help but wonder if Tom and John hadn't together already raised a little ruckus up there. (Perhaps a hymn of Wesley or Watts played in G and sung in G#~)<br /><br />shalom~<br />dhdr. darrell a. harrishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14056813328243623427noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8465368768809741489.post-1350777528223776092010-02-06T15:13:31.970-06:002010-02-06T15:13:31.970-06:00That's a good one, Phil. All we have left of ...That's a good one, Phil. All we have left of Tom at the moment are our collective memories of him, and hearing yours helped me to feel closer to someone I always wished I lived nearer to. What a wonderful Get Out Of Jail Free card he was ~~ : |Michael Roehttp://www.facebook.com/TheDoctorOfLovenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8465368768809741489.post-26818173286026433532010-02-06T10:21:52.006-06:002010-02-06T10:21:52.006-06:00I only knew of Tom from a distance, from his work ...I only knew of Tom from a distance, from his work and from other friends (Stan Endicott, Chuck Fromm, Bugs) but Phil, your words make me feel like I know him and you a little better. Thank you for your gift!George Baldwinhttp://visible.edunoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8465368768809741489.post-71228422825398600862010-02-06T09:33:38.623-06:002010-02-06T09:33:38.623-06:00Many thanks Philip.
I didn't know Tom for nea...Many thanks Philip.<br /><br />I didn't know Tom for nearly as long nor nearly as well as you and so many others. Just a few coffees or other zesty beverages, lunches and writing sessions. But each transcended the typical parameters of its meeting type and became one the wrinkles in time where eternal honesty, grace and mercy meet in real space and time coordinates. <br /><br />The more detaaied memories and sharings you and others have offered help me realize what a miraculous creature and comrade he truly was, and to so very many. The magnificent and visceral poetry of your reflections mirror one with whom we were all friends long before we met (thanks Jimi!)<br /><br />How do we say good-bye? You have helped us know how, dear amigo. But as with so many kingdom realities I'm glad that it is both good-bye, but also not good-bye. We can continue to hold him in our hearts, continue to tell his story to each other and to those who did not enjoy the rich blessing of such close physical proximity to him as we have.<br /><br />I am also deeply thankful for the reality that is the communion of saints. That w are one people, one family, whether still physically breathing the earth and breathing actual air, or whether we have already passed over into realms of light.<br /><br />As Bob Stamps, when he was Chaplain at O.R.U. told my dear friend Jim Hart when his mother had passed away, "Jim, every time you gather for Communion, she'll be right across the table from you."<br /><br />That is a particular blessing for each of us who have shared that reality with Tom. Every time we gather to share the bread and cup of the Lord's table, he'll be right across the table from us.<br /><br />Again brother, many thanks!<br />dhdr. darrell a. harrishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14056813328243623427noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8465368768809741489.post-4037816316262888572010-02-06T07:53:50.821-06:002010-02-06T07:53:50.821-06:00great post phil. for those of us that have "t...great post phil. for those of us that have "tom howards" in our lives this hits deeply...steve wyer passed your blog along and i'm thankful for that. i will follow and look forward to those postsGlenn Simmonshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04173265150680219652noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8465368768809741489.post-69190655285680353832010-02-06T00:12:04.662-06:002010-02-06T00:12:04.662-06:00Thanks for this, Phil. Artfully said. I'm s...Thanks for this, Phil. Artfully said. I'm sorry to say, that other than a recent email or two, I hadn't been in touch with Tom too much over the last few years. Your tribute here reminds me not only what a beautiful guy he was, but also what it means to live gracefully. Tom was the gold standard for that.Pat Terrynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8465368768809741489.post-33706975938133092112010-02-05T22:55:14.006-06:002010-02-05T22:55:14.006-06:00It's a tribute wrapped up in a beautiful story...It's a tribute wrapped up in a beautiful story of friendship. Your words honor a wonderful man using your wonderful gift. I think your friend would have been proud.Lori Lee Lovinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04309060244573486446noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8465368768809741489.post-70222150689654531152010-02-05T22:49:36.160-06:002010-02-05T22:49:36.160-06:00I've never seen a memorial as art before. But ...I've never seen a memorial as art before. But this was a word-picture painted by a man who knows how to share his deepest emotions. Thank you, Phil, for sharing your heart with us.Paul K. Logsdonnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8465368768809741489.post-70995383734870693832010-02-05T22:48:46.498-06:002010-02-05T22:48:46.498-06:00This is great. What a tribute. I can completely ...This is great. What a tribute. I can completely picture Tom's smile and laugh telling you "I told you so!" What an awesome guy he was.David Madeirahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13459378366275459476noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8465368768809741489.post-26338365370098618672010-02-05T21:42:25.571-06:002010-02-05T21:42:25.571-06:00Oh, and Julie... I hope it's good writing wh...Oh, and Julie... I hope it's good writing whether they knew Tom or not.Phil Madeirahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09541966641322415672noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8465368768809741489.post-7379395129541374182010-02-05T21:41:13.580-06:002010-02-05T21:41:13.580-06:00Thank you all. Dan's remarks about writing eu...Thank you all. Dan's remarks about writing eulogies for the living reminds me of the most poignant scene in "Waking Ned Devine", wherein a man delivers a eulogy about his best friend... if you haven't seen this movie... rent it tonight!Phil Madeirahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09541966641322415672noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8465368768809741489.post-40773069393059729462010-02-05T21:17:54.234-06:002010-02-05T21:17:54.234-06:00Wow, Phil. I hope this was healing for you to writ...Wow, Phil. I hope this was healing for you to write. And I hope it is healing for Tom's friends and family to read. Your words truly make me wish I had known him more than just to say "hi" in passing at church.Julie Adkisonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15147419096273108659noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8465368768809741489.post-32371414528795298242010-02-05T20:24:30.589-06:002010-02-05T20:24:30.589-06:00Phil - Wow . . . thank you so much for taking the ...Phil - Wow . . . thank you so much for taking the time to write that. I knew him much less time than most it seems and, yet, he made a profound impact on me. I will miss him.Lynnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07517943320233578021noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8465368768809741489.post-78277129448602128902010-02-05T17:40:31.243-06:002010-02-05T17:40:31.243-06:00Phil, thank you. An entirely appropriate and eloqu...Phil, thank you. An entirely appropriate and eloquent tribute to a very special man. I've lost friends before. Buried my brother two months ago. But for some reason, this time hurts more than I anticipated. Especially considering that Tom and I were not as close or in touch nearly as much as I would have liked. For some reason the pain of this loss lingers stubbornly. I can only imagine what Dori's up against.... But thank you for this remembrance.... Here's to Tom!wrburtonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04607185984574096581noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8465368768809741489.post-13993237336885744292010-02-05T17:10:16.166-06:002010-02-05T17:10:16.166-06:00Beautifully written Phil! I was there that night a...Beautifully written Phil! I was there that night at Sherlock's and it still makes me laugh... just now, I'm laughing with tears running down my cheeks. Tom was as you stated he was... A true friend!!Dennis Holtnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8465368768809741489.post-41253488818105680602010-02-05T16:35:40.538-06:002010-02-05T16:35:40.538-06:00A great tribute to a great man! Thanks for sharing...A great tribute to a great man! Thanks for sharing! Tom will truly be missed! <br />chris kentchris kentnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8465368768809741489.post-13016944187531711352010-02-05T14:36:29.054-06:002010-02-05T14:36:29.054-06:00Wow. Beautiful. It is so poignant to read a trib...Wow. Beautiful. It is so poignant to read a tribute to someone's life, to get a glimpse of a life that deserves to be remembered, to be celebrated, and to inspire the rest of us for the day when someone tries to capture the years we've lived within words of their own. Nicely done Phil.Michelle Fergusonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07618345418876812499noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8465368768809741489.post-21056740560951525652010-02-05T12:58:33.994-06:002010-02-05T12:58:33.994-06:00So beautifully said, Phil.So beautifully said, Phil.Marjie Smithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08483520075219050212noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8465368768809741489.post-61668901861455476672010-02-05T12:45:25.319-06:002010-02-05T12:45:25.319-06:00Thank you for a touching tribute to a friend.
I k...Thank you for a touching tribute to a friend.<br /><br />I knew Tom only through his music, specifically "The Harvest", which I still own (on cassette!). "Humble Yourself In The Sight Of The Lord" and "Gethsemene" have and always will stand out.<br /><br />A big thrill was being able to see him perform and meet him in Franklin less than two years ago, with an assemblage of CCM "heroes": Phil Keaggy, Rick Cua, Lynn Nichols, et.al., under the name "Faux Brummels". {"Green Onions" never tasted so good. :-) }<br /><br />It is good to meet the man you knew...and to know that he has been made new.Michael W.noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8465368768809741489.post-50328824378001202212010-02-05T12:36:53.336-06:002010-02-05T12:36:53.336-06:00Absolutely beautiful write up, Phil. Just wow. I...Absolutely beautiful write up, Phil. Just wow. I really enjoyed reading this... thanks for sharing with such grace.<br /><br />As I said when I learned he had died, I wish I knew all of you guys better, and I'm so sorry you lost such a good man and friend.<br /><br />Lately I find myself writing eulogies for those closest to me—for those who are still quite alive—as I lay in bed each night. It helps focus my thoughts on the things I want to be saying to people while they're still with us, and your writing here will surely be on my mind as I lay head to pillow late tonight, wondering which of my friends I'd miss most, and which ones would remember me as fondly as you do Tom.Daniel Holterhttp://danielholter.com/aboutnoreply@blogger.com