I will always remember a moment with Tom in the Seattle office, probably right after his join. I had been running late for our time together, time that Tom had asked for. It was Tom's time. And I was late. Despite that, he started the discussion by asking how I was doing, wanted to talk through family, life, everything BUT his issue at hand. I don't even think we ever got to what we originally wanted to discuss. But it didn't matter. Losing someone who remembers what's truly important every day is a forever reminder of what's important every day... We will miss you Tom.

Even though I spent maybe 2 months in office with Tom, he made sure that everyone on his team was cared for. When I needed a mental health break, Tom made it known that he was there to support in any way that he could and shared some baked goods that he bought in bulk. He went out of his way to show compassion and that is something I'll always be grateful for.

And since it's Friday, I think he'd want this to be shared somewhere: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kfVsfOSbJY0

We'll miss you, Tom.

I was pretty nervous when I first started at PSB, and I think Tom sensed that so he made a point to get to know me and try to get me to join group discussions. This speaks to what his team said about the wellbeing of others being his main priority. He was unabashedly himself in every interaction and one of the most genuine people I've met.

Tom was a shining light, so funny, such a good friend and colleague. He cared so much for all of us and he will be greatly missed. Tom I will miss our random musing and hearing about Rebecca the cow.

Be at peace my friend!

Tom was the life and soul of our team. He was there for us, always, both during and outside of work, and was 110% committed to our personal growth. He cared more about our career progress and learning opportunities than he did his own, and you could tell seeing us succeed was what made him happy. He was a great mentor and friend, and I will miss him dearly. Nobody could make me laugh as hard during the day as he could.

Tom was one of the brightest lights in the office and incredibly sarcastic. I remember when he first started at PSB, we clicked immediately with our east coast roots. It's that connection that fostered a friendship that would last a lifetime. I am grateful to have known someone who impacted my life on a greater scale. I hope you're sipping on your fancy gin, Tom. Cheers!

Tom effortlessly made me feel welcomed and included. He often checked-in to tell a joke, a story, to vent or to just say hi - small acts of kindness that left a really large impact. Frasier and the Devil Wears Prada will forever make me think of you. And also daylights savings lol

Cheers Tom! We'll miss you.
"That's all." - Miranda Priestly

There are many ways to discuss death, to process, and show it. Many ways to explain how it makes us feel, and yet, it’s still difficult. Is this more so due to the inherent foreignness of death, an inevitability that our minds, despite generations of evolution, are still too unsophisticated to fully comprehend? Or potentially more a result of its biting ability to impact each of us differently, often evoking different reactions, at different times, with different people?

As I’ve debated these questions within my own mind and with others, I’ve realized that despite the initial destruction it brings, it also has an ironic way of simultaneously showing us beauty. For every struggle, every fall, every mistake, more of life is revealed. And it is in this revelation that I find the most meaning, and the most purpose for our shared existence.

As Boris Pasternak wrote in Doctor Zhivago, “I don't like people who have never fallen or stumbled. Their virtue is lifeless and of little value. Life hasn't revealed its beauty to them.” Though Tom was much too familiar with struggle, his death fully revealed the beauty to me in what initially began as a professional relationship, and later blossomed into a friendship.

And for that, I am grateful.

Known for his humor and audacity, Tom was a deeply compassionate person whose thoughtfulness I've experienced on many an occasion. I hope he knew that. To Tom! *sips gin cocktail*