Struggling with loss is part of growing older, but lately losing close friends has really hit me as I have been hit by the death of Tom King.
Tom and I were Second Street neighbors for a number of years beginning in the early '80s and worked on a lot of events during that time. Separated by a few years at Cape, we had people and place in common, and soon we were working on events like the marathon and the Christmas parade.
I remember sitting in King's going through a box of former parade invitees to assemble the upcoming parade, and gradually it became a lengthy line-up wrapping around Highland Acres. We lined up the entries for many years, and I was surprised with a phone call from Tom in 2001 to invite me back for line-up duties after I moved to Virginia.
I would have come if I could, to see the boys and toast our accomplishments in the van. We worked the marathon for a few years and he had a big laugh when I christened my new wife with a shot of yellow French's mustard across the bow on a very warm day at the state park when I was grilling hot dogs for runners and others.
And yes, I appreciated his visit of condolence when we lost our infant son in May '93 in a time of great personal pain for our family. Even though I didn't get to visit him at hospice to say good-bye, I hope he and his family know I appreciate his friendship, humor, and friendly golf rounds.
RIP - Big Dipper and we will meet again at the 19th hole. We will miss you.
Respectfully,
Jack Morris
Salisbury, Md.