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
.JPG)
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.
flip
flip
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
.JPG)
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
.JPG)
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)
.JPG)
"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
.jpg)
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
To comment, please click on the "comments" button below todays date. On the comment page - please write your comment in the box on the right side of the page and then sign your first and last name. Your posting will go through the postmaster - and will be put on the blog as soon as possible. To read comments from others, click on "comment" and read the left side of the page. Thanks
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.
Monday, June 9, 2008
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
.jpg)
14 comments:
Tom,
We all appreciate the gift you share through your music and wisdom that inspires us to provide hospitable and compassionate classrooms for young children. You and your family are in our prayers.
UMAP FL
When I saw this quote I thought of what a wonderful gardner you are Tom,
"All the flowers of all the tomorrows are in the seeds of today" Indian Proverb
Our world is in FULL bloom because of your tender care and will continue to be forever more, for you have opened your heart and shared your "gardening secrets" with us all.
sending love, gege manolis
Tom,
You have made an incredible impact on my work with children and families. My first WAEYC conference was 10 years ago and you were a presenter. I remember you had the entire lunch banquet people up and moving!
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Sandi DeAngelo, Deer Park, WA
Good Morning Tom Hunter and all you other brave and vulnerable Hunters.
Margie and I are in California, resting for a day before we lead another insitute here. I have been checking this blog everyday, looking for hope and sharing in the sadness. It helps me and I think others feel connected and helpful somehow even when we are far away.
Our work last week was just the kind of stuff that you would love Tom and you were such a part of it.
We had an alter set up for you and we played your music throughout the time. We called upon your teachings of seeing details, and engaging fully with our joys and sorrows.
It was an amazing three days and a transformational experience for everyone with tears, deep connections and renewed commitment to "the work." I kept wishing you were with us and then for a moment realized you really were with us and always will be.
This was a new feeling. Most of the time over the last month I have been stuck in feeling really mad about what is happening to you. It's often been hard to embrace the "legacy" sentiments that people are expressing on this blog. I don't want your legacy yet! I still want you in real skin, bones and brain. But for a moment at the end of the institute with tears in my eyes and your photo larger than life on the wall I got it!
I'll stay committed to "the work" and bring you with us wherever we go!
Have a peaceful day. I'll check back in later.
Love,
Deb
Dear Tom & Family,
Debbie and I send you our love and prayers for healing and God's peace. We're thinking of you with gratitude and deep affection. Thank you for the time we met at San Jose Elem. School, probably January, '05. It was so good to watch you and to be able to visit afterwards. Your music and your relationships with the kids are inspiring. Also it was great to see you briefly at NAEYC in Chicago last Nov. We have really enjoyed our visits with your parents at Pilgrim Place during the past year. They are precious to us, and you are very very precious to us Tom. We love you. In Christ's love and hope, Wiley & Debbie Rankin
Hi, Tom and beautiful family of Tom:
Every day I check the blog, as a way to be close and to feel that maybe I can make a difference in some unknown way, but what I'm finding is that YOU are making a difference in me.
MaryAnn
Kohl
www.brightring.com
Lasting If I am but shade to cover to protect and give moisture it's chance to collect then I am life.
If I am but music this moment and gone the next, then I am fleeting melody, lingering, remembered.
If I am but arms that encircle you for this hug, then our comfort is assuringly sweet, preserves the heart.
If I am in prayer to the almighty
God creator then I am connected.
If I have loved and you have felt it, then I am obedient and everlasting.
If I am faithful then I am God's own, eternal.
Life we live it. We choose our rememberances. Thanks for the memories. God Bless your sweet heart and all of your moments.
God keep each of you close.
My grand mother lifted my face up and said God Bless your heart. It filled me up to the brim. I pray for these moments of fullness to continue with you and your family all of your days.
love,
Dena
Many a Musings.
(To the tune of Tom's song
Pea Soup in a Pressure Cooker)
Just caught my copy of the blogspot
The news center for Tom's community.
I couldn't wait to read it
All the way through,
Especially the poetry!
There's one in there about
Loving deep.
I's so glad, it's my favorite kind.
A little strange coming from a blogspot,
But good poetry is hard to find.
Then later, there's another with a warning
How nice of them to send that along.
Don't let love remain unexpressed -
It clogs up and
Something goes wrong.
Then it will explode
Then it will explode
Then it will explode
All over the wall.
If you let love
Remain unexpressed and
Something goes wrong
You're all over the wall.
What an extraordinary legacy
This man has left to us
A level of loving creativity
That require no muss, no fuss
It's hard, but oh so truthful
To be reminded that we all die
Indeed, we all live on in each other,
If only we will try.
So I send this lyric as a warning
(It fits quite nice with Tom Hunter's song)
Let the depth and breadth
Of this man's life
Resound and pass along.
Then it will grow
Then it will grow
Then it will grow
All over the world
If we choose love and spread the wealth of Tom's delight
It'll never be over.
For Tom & us
June 5, 2008
Janet Stecher
There are those placed on this earth that are leaving a profound legacy of kindness, caring, strength, words, and love. I am a firm believer that we should make a difference in the lives around us.
Tom, you have done all this and more. You have given all of us a reason to take the time to listen, to take the time to care, and to look within ourselves to find what we need to be better as early childhood educators and human beings. And you have done it with powerful messages in songs and through your music. You "got it" and you understand what drives us as teachers to touch the lives of children--our future. You have given us the foundation and with this we will continue to build a better world through each child, each moment, each experience. You will never be forgotten! Much love and Big hugs to you and your family. Iris Siegler (Coeur d' Alene, Idaho)
Tom,
I have been reading your blog each day since receiving the email from Bev that you were sick. Even though I am a stranger to your family, I feel through the messages and pictures shared I have know you for a very long time. What an inspiration your entire family is as you are and will continue to be an inspiration to educators everywhere in the world.
Our paths have only crossed three times in life. The first at Good Stuff for Kids in 1991. I have a vivid memory of you running across the yard in your bare feet yelling at Bev "I got it!" The second is a time I will cherish forever. The summer night in July, 2005 when you, Bev and Michael were in Minneapolis for a two day workshop and were able to come over to my house for an evening a good food and friendly conversation. Our last meeting was in Minneapolis this past March where I was once again inspired by music and wisdom. We ended our school year this spring with many requests for My Turtle's Name is Fred and There's a Bear on the School Bus.
Even as I sit here writing this message to you, you are part of our lives as my own 4 year old daughter is singing songs from the CD "I'll Sing For You, You Sing for Me." I don't know much more to say than "Thank you. Thank you. Thank you."
You are a gift. You and your family our in our prayers. God Bless your spirit Tom Hunter.
Margie, Tony, Sydney and Lucas Galvin
Edina, MN
Dear Tom and family,
Our family met you 2 years ago at Bev's conference in the summer. I think the best way to describe the impact you have made on my family and my teaching is done by quoting a poem from Robert Frost with the title Dust of snow.
The way a crow
Shook down on me
The dust of snow
From a hemlock tree
Has given my heart
A change of mood
And saved some part
Of a day I had rued.
You are all in our prayers. May you enjoy every minute and get lots of "dusting of snow".
God bless you. Andrea
Dear Friend, Tom, The Eichhorns send their love and remember fondly that rainy night we met - when you rode your motorcycle up to our front door in Mill Valley, guitar strapped to the back. You were soaking wet and when Becky opened the door, you laughed and said: "Hi, I'm Tom. Am I in time for dinner?" You and your loved ones are in our prayers. Shalom, Bill, Ann, Becky, Beth, Marty and Matt.
Dear Hunters, I think the reason we all met Janice Thomas and loved her wonderful self so much was, we knew she would be waiting for us in heaven and it would be great! and full of music and love. Tom has ment so much to all of us and now we, you especially! have to share him with a really big audience. I can only imagine how rich your lives have been and will be.Tom has enriched us all here on earth and now...it will be amazing.
Much love to your family,
Pam Gould
Lummi Island
My Dear Tom,Gwen,Aden and Irene, I am so sorry for these struggles you are facing. Thank you for this blog, I feel it is a way for many of us to feel "in touch" when things are so out of our control. I find myself reading this many times during the day. It seems to be a way for those of us far away to feel connected.
Dearest Tom, I would like to say "Thank You!!" I have been fortunate enough to have met you on several occassions at several workshops. You have been so much to me in my life's journeys and struggles. Your music, words and laughter have carried me through so many tough and trying times in my life. Our 3 children have grown up singing your songs, and still (at ages 13,10 ,and 8) go sleep knowing "Tom's music" will help them rest easy.
I wish for just a moment I could hold all of you close to my heart and carry some part of this for you.
Please know that we love, adore,and cherish you so deeply. We will make the vow to "Keep it going" as you find your way peacefully home.
God bless you all!!
With MUCH love and positive energy sent your way!! We love you!!!!!
Post a Comment