I did not know Tommy but after reading the messages , I feel like I did. I think of the the heartache his parent are going through during this holiday season, no parent show have to bury their children. My love and thoughts go to his parents, I too buried a Son. 

Tommy and I sat in awkward silence while the room collapsed into what seemed to be utter chaos.  Amy and Deanne were joking and roughhousing. The grand kids were jumping around. The television was blaring and Sona was yelling to Gary from the kitchen. I would attempt to ask Tommy a question to which he would reply with a crooked smile, a shrug of the shoulders and an, “I don’t know.”

This was certainly because we had spent so many years apart.  I am his dad’s sister that sometimes came to visit.  Tommy was not that cute little boy I used to babysit. Here was Tommy, the young man, uniquely polite and unpretentious. As the evening wore on, the television was turned off, and things settled down, Tommy started to open up.  I realized that he was a man of few words that when he spoke his words were powerful, clever, insightful, and wise beyond his years. I can’t remember the exact words he used or even the topic of conversation (that’s not true, I do remember, but I’ll keep that for myself) but most importantly I remember laughing together. 

I realize how much I missed over the years and how honored I am to have had such an amazing nephew.I loved the little blonde haired boy and the man he was becoming.

One of the thing that always struck me about my nephew Tommy was his pure love. While many kids and teens seem to outgrow the desire to hug and show affection, Tommy always came to me for a hug hello and would seek me out for a hug when when we parted.

When using the term aunt or uncle seemed to some outdated he continued always to call me Uncle Ron.

Tommy loved kids. When ever we had the family to our home the box legos came out of the closet and you would find Tommy on the floor with the kids building some amazing fort or castle for the kids action figures.
 
Tommy loved his family and while often quietly observing and listening, if proded he amazed us with his special insight and practical knowledge. Tommy did not like contension and alway used his sweet nature and sense of humor to defuse any contension that may erupt. 

"Faith, hope and love, but the greatest of these is love" !!! We were all blessed beyond words to have Tommy in our lives.