Dear Tommy, Thank you for hanging on as you promised until Frank and I arrived from Florida. Although it broke our hearts to see you in your suffering, we know that you are now in God's loving embrace. As we whispered to you in the time we saw you, you were going to the Family Reunion in Heaven! We know you were greeted so lovingly by Mother, Father, Jimmy, Jackie and Betty and they rejoiced with you that you are in God's house forever. We know that when our turns come, YOU will join the heavenly welcoming party and we will all be together once again, for all eternity. We have so many happy memories that fill our hearts, going back nearly 60 years, from the time you were brought home from the hospital as a newborn baby wrapped in white blankets, the piles of presents at Christmas, to all the years of fun things that we all did. You were always such a good and kind person, who did so much for others. So many people were touched by your life. You served God in all you did, and we're so glad that your illnesses and suffering are over. You fought the good fight and now God is holding you in the palms of His hands. In your humble request for the simplest of funerals, you didn't want anyone to talk about how good you were. Everyone who knew you with be filled with memories of you that will bring joy to their hearts whenever they think of you. You requested prayers, and you will have MANY, along with warm thoughts AND the laughter that we remember. I wanted to share the words to a song that Frank and I did at Mom's and Betty's funerals, because the words are so beautiful. This song has brought comfort to us for many years now, and we sing it in our hearts, a silent tribute to your goodness and the love so many people have for you. This is from "Come, My Friend" by Gregory Norbert. Refrain: "Come, my friend, come with me; put your trust in me. Turn aside from your burdens all. I've come to take you home. You are loved, so loving, just for who you are. This believe, rejoice, arise! I've come to take you home." V. 1 " Friends and loved ones of the past, greet you now with deepest sharing; transformed persons, clothed in light, tell of glory of such healing wonder." Refrain. V. 2 "Come and take our loving hands; we have known your struggle growing. Time has ripened to eternity: know the presence of Creator's blessing." Refrain. So, Tommy, we will officially say good-bye to you Saturday. But we will remember and love you ALWAYS. And we will see you again, there is NO DOUBT of that. Enjoy your heavenly reward, little brother!! With all our love, Leenie and Frank