This past weekend was Tommy's 31st birthday, May 16. I have been thinking a lot about him lately and so I thought I would write down my last couple of memories of him and about that horrible day fourteen years ago when I got the call from my poor Dad who was trying to notify everyone.I remember driving around with Tommy with his learners permit. I will always remember going around the bend up in North Logan. We started out on the right side of the road but as we went around the bend we ended up on the wrong side. I didn't even realize it until an old white truck started coming down the road straight at us. I made him pull over in a church parking lot so I could breath before I had him drive us back to Smithfield.
The Monday before he passed away Eric & I drove him and his friend down to Lagoon where we met Mom, Dad, Ryan, and Mike. (there could have been more there but I don't remember) I was expecting Emily at the time. I was six months along. On the way down, Tom was giving me suggestions of what to name our little baby girl. He was set on Shania (Twang) or Faith (Hill). I just kept telling him there was no possible way.
(about 3 months later Emily Faith was born)
We had a great day at Lagoon. Tom and his friend were hardly seen but I do remember watching them ride the Sky Coaster. We waited for them in the parking lot while they said their good-byes to a couple of girls they had met during the day. We had a great time teasing them all the way home. That was the last time I saw Tommy, when we dropped him off at his car at the Shopko parking lot.
That Saturday, Eric & I spent the day with our friends, Wade & Kristin, up Logan Canyon having a cookout. On our way down we decided we would all just head to the movies. Just as we were coming out of the canyon my nose started bleeding very heavily. Since we just lived right there at the USU trailer court we decided to go home so I could clean up. I had just barely walked into the door when the phone rang. It was then that I received the worst call of my life. My Dad was on the other end. He told me to sit down. I'm sure he was concerned about the baby. He told me that there had been an accident and Tommy had been killed. I remember grabbing the bar and just saying over and over, "Oh no, Oh no". That moment has never left me. I remember it often when I think of this time of my life. We took our friends home and headed straight to Smithfield to be with my parents.
I was the only married sibling that lived close by (John, Mike & Ryan lived at home). But it was just hours before everyone started rolling in. Robin and her family drove all night from Colorado. Dusty & Amee came from St. George. Sandee was coming in from Washington D.C. (Rob came in later). Robin & I were so excited to see Jessica who we hadn't seen since Christmas. But as soon as we saw Sandee we all just broke down right there in the airport.
I believe we all cried for each other, especially for my parents, the little boys, & Jim who was enduring this loss without family as he was in the mission field. Tommy's death will always be a memory of mixed emotions. I am so grateful for my knowledge of the Plan of Salvation and to know without a doubt I will see him again and give him the biggest hug I can. I miss him but especially when we all get together. His presence is surely missed but I feel him near me at times and for that I am so grateful.
