Singing together somewhere in time
Tom & Gwen
Tom Hunter
For information about Tom Hunter, his ideas, and his music, visit www.tomhunter.com.
Tom Hunter left all of us a legacy of celebration, music, compassion and giving to our communities. Throughout his lifetime, Tom worked with people of all ages and backgrounds to teach new ways of learning and living. We all are committed to "keeping it going" by remembering his smile and his music and his voice.
There was a tremendous outpouring of support for the Hunters during this transition, and the family is deeply grateful.
Tom Hunter left all of us a legacy of celebration, music, compassion and giving to our communities. Throughout his lifetime, Tom worked with people of all ages and backgrounds to teach new ways of learning and living. We all are committed to "keeping it going" by remembering his smile and his music and his voice.
There was a tremendous outpouring of support for the Hunters during this transition, and the family is deeply grateful.
TOM'S HEALTH
Tom Hunter was diagnosed on May 20, 2008 with Creutzfeldt-Jacob Disease and died on June 20, 2008.
On September 2, 2008, a letter from the National Prion Disease Pathology Research Center confirmed that Tom had what's called 'sporadic CJD' (sCJD). His was an extremely rare type of sCJD that one in 4.5 million people are diagnosed with annually. We're very grateful that he did not have the inherited form, but it's critically important that a cure for all forms of CJD (caused by scrapy proteins in the brain which can take up to 40 years to manifest and kill their victims) are found. All forms of CJD are fatal.
The most accurate and up-to-date site for learning about CJD and supporting efforts to find a cure is http://www.cjdfoundation.org/ .
On September 2, 2008, a letter from the National Prion Disease Pathology Research Center confirmed that Tom had what's called 'sporadic CJD' (sCJD). His was an extremely rare type of sCJD that one in 4.5 million people are diagnosed with annually. We're very grateful that he did not have the inherited form, but it's critically important that a cure for all forms of CJD (caused by scrapy proteins in the brain which can take up to 40 years to manifest and kill their victims) are found. All forms of CJD are fatal.
The most accurate and up-to-date site for learning about CJD and supporting efforts to find a cure is http://www.cjdfoundation.org/ .
Tom and Gwen
2007
Tom and Aeden
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May 8,2008
Tom and Irene
May 24th, 2008
To live on this earth
you must be able
to do three things:
To love what is mortal;
To hold it
against your bones knowing
your own life depends on it;
And when the time comes to let it go,
to let it go.
mary oliver
DONATIONS
Please help provide financial support by sending whatever you can. We are hoping for lots of $25. hugs- or whatever works for you - to help the Hunters with medical and transition expenses. They also want to protect the wetlands, forest and farm* that have seen so much of their love over the years and to help keep Tom's work alive in the world. (*Contributions given specifically for the mortgage have been moved with overwhelming gratitude to the new Tom Hunter Memorial Account described above.) If you wish to make a donation please make checks payable to Tom Hunter Family Donation (or to Tom Hunter Memorial Account) and mail to:
Whatcom Educational Credit Union
PO Box 9750
Bellingham, WA 98227
If you'd prefer to donate safely and securely using your credit/debit card, use this button:
Whatcom Educational Credit Union
PO Box 9750
Bellingham, WA 98227
If you'd prefer to donate safely and securely using your credit/debit card, use this button:
Now the focus narrows to just the steps ahead. You have a chorus of knowing, loving voices all over this planet to sing you home.
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PHOTOS - NOW ON A NEW PAGE
Many of the photos from this page and also new ones have been moved to their own page and can be viewed by clicking on the link below. If you have photos to share please send them to us at tomhunterblog@gmail.com Thanks.
Pictures of Tom, Family and Friends
Singing with friends
Salem Oregon 1990
Laughing at a story
June 7th from Marie
"All the flowers of all the tomorrows are in the seeds of today" Indian Proverb
with love from Gege Manolis
with love from Gege Manolis
Tom and Irene
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June 2008
COMMENTS and HOW TO HELP
To leave a comment for Tom and his family please scroll to the bottom of this page, and then come back up to today's date on the left side. Click on "comments" and leave your message in the box on the right side of the comments page. Your comment will not show up immediately as all comments go through the postmaster. They will be posted as soon as possible. If your comment is not posted within 24 hours please contact the postmaster at tomhunterblog@gmail.com
There are many ways to help. Please click on www.tomhuntersupport.blogspot.com under Music, Meals, Flowers, Yard Work, Farm Work below or look for the How to Help section opposite the daily comments on the right side of the blog towards the bottom.
There are many ways to help. Please click on www.tomhuntersupport.blogspot.com under Music, Meals, Flowers, Yard Work, Farm Work below or look for the How to Help section opposite the daily comments on the right side of the blog towards the bottom.
Music, meals, flowers, yard work & farm work
The Hunter Family
Jeanne Herrick has put many photos from the blog into a beautiful slide show. Click below to watch
Words from Tom's Dad
May 26
Somebody noticed what you did today
Somebody noticed little things along the way
How you watched how you listened to what children do and say;
Somebody noticed what you've done alway
'Tis grace has brought us safe thus far,
And grace will lead us home.
May 29
And the Angels took care of him.
May 31st
The Lord bless and keep you. The Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious unto you. The Lord lift up his countenance upon you, and give you, your family, the city of Bellingham, and the world, peace-- both now and forevermore. Amen
Somebody noticed what you did today
Somebody noticed little things along the way
How you watched how you listened to what children do and say;
Somebody noticed what you've done alway
'Tis grace has brought us safe thus far,
And grace will lead us home.
May 29
And the Angels took care of him.
May 31st
The Lord bless and keep you. The Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious unto you. The Lord lift up his countenance upon you, and give you, your family, the city of Bellingham, and the world, peace-- both now and forevermore. Amen
Tom with the love quilt
From First Congregational Church of Bellingham
Aeden, Tom & Willard Hunter
Three Generations
Tom and Cindy
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Prayer rocks from Lummi Island
"Sometimes healing is more than getting better. Sometimes it's love revealed....." - Tom Hunter
Aeden and Tom, April '08
May 20, 2008
Here I sit, feeling my feet on the floor
An image of grounding you’ve used lots before
Trying to make sense of this surreal, difficult time
While loving where I came from with infinite pride
It’s been amazing how many lines from your songs
Have been lights in the darkness when it all feels wrong
Have comforted, questioned, been profound and fun
Your capacity for humanity is second to none
This world is a better place because of who you are
And that’s known widely – near and far
In music, education, and matters of the heart
You’ve bettered lives right from the start
I’m so proud of you, of where I’ve come from
You’re a huge part of me and have taught me a ton
About being human, love, laughter, and tears
And how to keep going despite life’s fears
Please don’t worry about the rest of us
We’ll take care of each other and will always feel your touch
Your laughter, music, compassion, and voice
Will always be with us in the midst of life’s noise
So here I sit, feeling my feet on the floor
With love and gratitude deep down in my core
I’m so grateful for the time we have had
You’ll always be my mentor, my best friend, my dad.
-Aeden
Irene and Tom last summer
The very best dad in the world
i’ve always loved your laugh lines,
the way you smile ear to ear
and you always have this easy way
of crushing any fears.
we’ve shared so much so far in life
and i’m so proud and glad
that i can say with confidence
i have the very best dad.
from raspberries to hasty moves
and the cutting edge again?!
to times when you have comforted me
over troubles with my friends.
you know how to relieve the weird feelings
when things don’t feel quite right
you let me put them in your hands
and throw them into the night.
we’ve shared trees against the sky
and books, poems, songs and walks
you taught me respect by looking again
and i’ve always loved our talks.
from dream stories to lake padden eagles
and coloring outside the lines
i can say with ease and confidence
you have the most lovely mind.
i remember all those wakeful nights
and running down the hall
you and mom sang lullabies
and sound asleep i’d fall.
i’m your goofball now—
i’ll always be whether we’re near or far
i’ll hold you close in who i am
no matter where we are.
i know it’s getting harder
to take in this fantastic world
just know i love you—i always will—
as daddy’s little girl.
Irene
May 22, 2008 After baptizing little Maddie
Exchanging blessings
To My Old Brown Earth by Pete Seeger
To my old brown Earth
And to my old blue sky
I'll now give these last few molecules of I
And you who sing
And you who stand near by
I do charge you not to cry
Guard well our human chain
Watch well you keep it strong
As long as sun will shine
And this our home
Keep pure and sweet and green
For now I'm yours
And you are also mine
with thanks to Cori Dusmann
May 22, 2008 At the Shepherd's
"I want my music to be grounded in the realities of what kids and teachers know. I want it to 'ring true; as it helps people laugh, cry, remember, celebrate, and learn."
— Tom Hunter
Tom in his backyard Labor Day 03
"I've been visiting schools to sing songs for almost 30 years. I've been in a lot of classrooms, presented a lot of workshops, talked with a lot of teachers, and sat on a lot of floors with kids. If I bring reminders of what's important in education, they come from finding those moments when the heart shows up, moments that peek around the corner and need to be invited farther into the room so we can see them. Such moments might seem ordinary but they are way too important to be captured in test scores. They fill teachers (and sometimes children) to overflowing."
Quoted from Tom's introduction to his book of essays : "Visits to the Heart of Education: Remembering What's Important" (available from Song Growing Company - see link below)
Quoted from Tom's introduction to his book of essays : "Visits to the Heart of Education: Remembering What's Important" (available from Song Growing Company - see link below)
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"But what if we can't get there?
What if it's too far?
What if we can't find our way from right here where we are?
What if it doesn't matter
that we can't find our star?
What if God comes anyway
right here where we are?"
-Tom Hunter
What if it's too far?
What if we can't find our way from right here where we are?
What if it doesn't matter
that we can't find our star?
What if God comes anyway
right here where we are?"
-Tom Hunter
Northwest Teachers Camp
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from Cori Dusmann
Photos
If you have photos of Tom that we can use on the blog, please email them to us at tomhunterblog@gmail.com
Today, like every other day, we wake up empty
and frightened. Don't open the door to the study
and begin reading. Take down a musical instrument.
Let the beauty we love be what we do.
There are hundreds of ways to kneel and kiss the ground.
Rumi, the Sufi Poet
and frightened. Don't open the door to the study
and begin reading. Take down a musical instrument.
Let the beauty we love be what we do.
There are hundreds of ways to kneel and kiss the ground.
Rumi, the Sufi Poet
Clarification -- How to Comment
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If you have questions about the blog or if this does not work for you -- send your message to the postmaster at: tomhunterblog@gmail.com and it will be posted for you.
If you have questions about the blog or if this does not work for you -- send your message to the postmaster at: tomhunterblog@gmail.com and it will be posted for you.
Sunday, June 8, 2008
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12 comments:
Dear Tom and Gwen,
A quote from Karen Gallas:
"What I needed as a child in school was a teacher who wanted to hear my voice, my ideas, the words that were always present but never spoken: a teacher who would have given me the support and safety and a space in which to project that voice...a teacher who would have valued my voice just because it was mine, not because it provided the right answer."
I read this yesterday and was struck with the connection I feel. Tom, you have taught so many of us to be this kind of teacher. Not just through your songs, but through your kind, generous, listening self. Gwen, you too, have this amazing ability to listen and let others feel important through your work and friendship. We all need to be "heard" and valued--children and grown-ups alike.
Thank you. Thank you for your living examples.
I am beginning to accept this turn of events. My heart is so full and so sad. I am in awe at your continuing generosity and care for others.
I love you all,
Sherry Baugh
June 8, 2008 6:48 AM
Blessings to you all. Jeffrey B. Stiglitz here, partner to Janet Jensen, manservant to Erin Jensen (and occasionally the little brother she never had, when needed). It was through them I get to meet the Tom, and Gwen, and Aeden, and, well, Irene we've never met. Hi! I'm Jeffrey, manservant to..., well, I guess you already got that.
Your family has been such a huge help and influence to Janet and Erin.
Gwen, thank you for all your help with Erin and her horse Alibi. You've helped Erin gain confidence in herself and in her horse but you're going to have to stop by and teach Alibi to run on her own, not just run when Janet runs around the field...tho it *is* good exercise and pretty hilarious :).
Aeden, thank you for your spirit. Tho we haven't known each other long I feel a wonderous life force in you. You are carrying on the magic. Your strength in this time is beyond amazing. Thanks for all your help and for your, well, being you. As Janet says "I just LOVE that Aeden" (and she has said it for as long as I've known her. But don't worry, I'm not jealous. I know what she means. And you are a LOT taller than I am. So no issues. It's all good. :)
Tom. Dear Tom. I don't know you well, not more than to be able to say hello and hope you remember my name, but you are such a HUGE part of my family thru Janet and Erin. I've watched how you were with all the kids at the Christmas shows, how much love (and teaching) came thru your words and actions. I've seen the joy of the music you've written spread throughout the congregation. I've listened to how you've taught the story of Christmas so how even a semi-staunch agnostic, fallen Missouri Synod Lutheran, and believer more in the dark side of humanity than the light, felt a little of the warmth, some of the light. Whoda thunk? I'm still amazed I haven't caused a lightning strike when I step into the church and hope the insurance on that is kept up to date.
Tom, I heard once that angels could be anywhere at all. I have come to believe that. Through Janet (and Erin) I have come to meet some...all the kids who share the joy of the song and who cried so hard when they sang their song for you, the parents of the children that I've become acquainted with, if not friends with...the Ritchies, Julia, and the Evan who taught me it was okay for a man to cry (and cry, and weep, and cry a little more, laugh about it,then shed a tear in a manly way), Cathy Arnold, Merrill Davenport...members of the congregation that weighed me, measured me, and found me okay...and the many more who have just such wonderful energy, who fill those around them with warmth and hope and joy...Sharry Nyberg, one of the great souls,and her Joe who have become rocks in and for the congregation...and my sweet angels Janet and Erin, without whom life would be a lot darker, and a WHOLE lot less fun. (Quieter tho...all this singing!)All angels, every one. And every one so sorrowed yet so joy-filled for having known you, as are all the people who have written on this blog, or have wanted to, or have yet to hear and will want to, and to those who just have a fond memory of you or a lesson learned from you. There have been enough tears to float a turtle named Fred, yet within the sorrow lies a space that is the joy of having been touched by you, taught by you.
As Shakespeare once noted, we all have our roles to play. Some are followers, some leaders, some teachers, some students. Me, I just write reallllllly long blogs. It is for your role that we all share this bond, for sometimes special ones do come to us to help us through. Thank you for what you have given us, and will continue to give us through the lessons we have learned and will pass on. You have done well in a most glorious role. You, dear Tom, are the teacher of angels.
Peace be with you, your family, and all of us.
Jeffrey
Tom,
I'm feeling so confused. First, I am so blessed to have been able to call you my friend. What an honor! And at the same time, today I am feeling so cheated, so lost. Pat Chambers said it best: "this just isn't fair, I'm not done learning from him, yet." I know how selfish this sounds. I just always thought that I'd get to see you just one more time (I think that is a song). I am feeling so far away and so helpless. I never got to say goodbye.
Tom, there aren't enough words to say thank you for the years of friendship, support, conversation that's so deep. Much Love, anne broussard
Dear Tom & Family,
I am just one of the many teachers that you have visited and touched! We missed having you in the Edwardsville School District this spring for our annual fine arts day, but you were celebrated and missed greatly by our entire staff and wonderful students! Your songs, stories, and messages are a fixture in my classroom each and every day. You are a blessing to so many, old and young. You are all in our thoughts and prayers!
God Bless!
Shannon Weber
Hamel Elementary - 3rd Grade
Edwardsville School District, IL
Back to November 10, 2007. Saturday morning in Chicago, last day of the NAEYC annual conference. I was looking for a specific session I thought I wanted to check out, but I realized after a while that I was mistaken and had ended up in a different wing of the large conventions center. Tired after a couple of full days of workshops (and a lot of walking around the convention center), I decided to settle for some other session that happened to be where I was.
Well, "settle" was a bad choice of word, because I walked into the nearest room I saw - and into the most inspiring session I could have possibly found. "Possibilities and persistence: claiming our responsibility to teach well," presented by Margie Carter, Deb Curtis (whom I knew from books and articles) and Tom Hunter (whom I didn't know but thought would be a great presenter because I couldn't imagine Margie & Deb associating themselves with anyone who wouldn't be at their level, plus the coincidence that I'm a professor at Hunter College, founded by Thomas Hunter...).
It was exhilarating, courageously subversive, powerful, relevant - just what I had been yearning for.
Bless you, Tom, for your songs, your inspiration, your beauty.
Liege Motta, New York
"God sent love you could look in the eye....."
I know that you meant those words for a different occasion, Tom, but truer words were never spoken about the wonderful gift you are to us. Love you can look in the eye.
I love you. Happy Father's Day. And hotcha kotcha!
OK, I'm better now. It's just a deep, deep sadness that hurts to the core....Tom is so needed in this world! At least his music and words will live forever.
I've actually been laughing out loud, through my tears, this morning as I colored my grey hair and could hear Tom's soft scolding in my ears. I know, I know, I've worked so hard for every grey hair and every laugh line, why would I want to cover that up?? Many of my laugh lines are because of you. Thank you!
Gwen, Aeden and Irene: I admire your strength.
Aeden: I will be contacting you soon. I've been telling Tom for several years that the "Wedding Song" that he wrote for Bev's daughter should be sent to Faith Hill. Pleae get it written down and I'll find an agent. But the words to that song are so appropriate now: "I've come such a long way to be with you today." I don't feel so far away anymore, as I sing that song. I have come a long way since I first met Tom, and I am right there with you all today--- anne
Since this blog has started I have checked it several times a day for just a glimpse of Tom and how he and the family are doing. I'm delighted to learn so many things about Tom that I never knew. I love hearing the stories and the numerous ways he has touched others lives and a bit amazed at how I could know him for 20 years and NOT know so many things about him! I am so grateful for the dear friends who set up this blog.
Gwen, I listened to the radio show this morning and enjoyed hearing the sound of your voice along with Aeden's and Irene's. I want to thank you all for keeping us posted and allowing us to be a part of this very difficult time. Know that we all care so much about each of you.
Debbie Handy
Tom and Family,
I was otherwise occupied when Tom was a minister at Ladera Community Church in Portola Valley, California, but you remain much in the thoughts of our congregation. Today member Rev. Wilma Reichard offer a prayer for you and the family, crediting you with helping her early in her career to find the path for her ministry.
Last weekend, the Family Camp weekend at Bass Lake, Rev. Jason Hubbard (still coming to Bass Lake from Michigan 40 years later) spoke of you fondly from your days ministering to him and the rest of the youth.
You and the family have been in our prayers and thoughts.
Tim Clark
Portola Valley CA.
Dearest Tom, Gwen, Irene, Aeden and Morgan,
Because I don't think we can ever have our fill of words of beauty and light, especially when it feels like the darkness is overwhelming...
Song of the Sky Loom
Traditional Tewa,
Translated by H. J. Spinden
Version by Denis Donnelly
O, Mother the Earth, O Father the Sky,
weave for us now the garment of brightness,
the warp, the white light of morning,
the weft, the red glow of evening,
the fringes of the soft rain,
the border of the soaring rainbow.
Weave for us this garment so that we may,
in full presence and gratitude, walk
where birds sing, and where grasses are green;
O Mother the Earth; O Father the Sky.
love Cori Dusmann
Hi everyone: Like so many of you I come back to this blog almost daily to connect with all of you who know and love Tom and his work. I love reading the stories of how he has touched your lives. It keeps reaffirming the power of music for me, and the power of one extraordinary ordinary man.
I don't know all the techy-stuff, but is there a way to link to the Tom Hunter KGO Radio show that was on Sunday morning, June 8? Is someone able to do that?
I would love to have heard it.
Holding you all, and especially Tom, in loving light,
XX
Hope Moffatt
Tom:
Your thoughtfulness, quiet strength, kind nature and great humanity added dimension and dignity to KGO. My thoughts are with you and your family as you travel this journey.
Jeannette Boudreau
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