Dear friends and family,
People tell me how strong I am or they tell me they just don’t know how I do it. I will tell you how I do it. I look to Tom for example, just as most of you have done sometime in your life for as long as you have known him. I look to him and draw on his tremendous strength. Throughout this entire experience Tom never said, “This isn’t fair.” or “Why me?” He never felt like a victim or wished it was someone else. Instead he told me that he was glad it was him and not anyone that he loves. He told me that the tumor was a blessing in a way because it gave us the opportunity to love even deeper and with our eyes wide open. It is true. One’s mind seems to shake off the fog of over-stimulation and details, of worries about the future, and regrets and grudges of the past. That unseen list in our heads of what has to be done or what we want to obtain seems to become immaterial. You learn about priorities. We have all heard that line, but now Tom and I really “got it.” Those usually annoying little things that each of us see in our partner become endearments because they are part of that person…their individuality. The statement, ”Each day is a gift,” becomes brilliant with clarity. This has been an experience with tremendous blessings and gifts. That said, I hope you never experience it. If you have, you get it.
Tom is very glad to be home. His blood pressure shows it, his easy steady breathing, and the calm look on his face. He definitely recognizes people when they come to visit. We are rewarded with an occasional word, smile, or lift of the eyebrow. The tiniest things bring huge joy to all of us. The other day was our biggest gift when he told his mother that he loves her. (“I love you, mom.“) I enjoy watching him sleep because once in a while he gets a big smile on his face and sometimes even chuckles. I know he is drawing on his file of thousands of happy memories to relive in his dreams. It makes my day (or night).
He has always had an uncanny ability to look at the big picture as a way to figure solutions, whether they be work related situations, family matters, or even how to save a 150 year old barn. He sees a challenge and goes after it in his calm and steady manner and usually can’t be distracted. I don’t think that it ever occurred to him that he might be unsuccessful in this challenge to return to perfect health. My inspiration through Tom continued as I watched his body become weak and tired; as he became more and more dependent on others to care for him. At no time did he lose patience, get angry or even show embarrassment. He was and continues to be gracious, even digging down for enough energy to pat us on the arm to help us feel more comfortable and give us courage. It might sound sugar coated and impossible but it is true. This is Tom Hundt.
Our home is full of joy and love, with lots of storytelling and laughter and occasional spontaneous outbursts of tears. It is a wonderful place to visit and it is a wonderful time to tell Tom everything you always wanted to tell him. He can hear you and loves you. Our home is open to you any time. If you aren’t able to come or don’t feel up to it we totally understand. Leave us a message and I will read each and every one to Tom.
Your support and prayers are so appreciated. God bless you all and I will keep in touch.
Love, Linda
11 comments:
Hi Linda and Tom,
I want you both to know how many of us up here in the north think both of you every day. We talk about the good times we all had when you were living up here. I remember how great it was to work with Tom. He is an inspiration for so many of us with the MSP. When I was transferred to Gaylord in 1991 he sent me the most wonderful card and told me how much I would be missed at Traverse City. I still have that card and I will always keep it. I remember warm welcomes every time I visited your home on Union Street and smiles and laughter as we chatted and told stories.
Every day I say a prayer for both of you and your family for peace and happiness in your times together.
Blessings and love, Julie Sutfin
Just a word about the love of my life, my sister Linda.... I have known, and loved Tom nearly as long as Linda, I think I was seven when we first met. I have watched this love story unfold over the years. Linda has been a tireless crusader to uphold her and Tom's vision and values throughout this entire illness. This amazing, and sound, 'Plan of Attack' was accomplished only through many months of open and honest dialogue. Lesson #1: COMMUNICATE. And, as hard as it would be to NOT become filled with thoughts of things we wish we could change about the past, or worry how things will possibly work out in the future, Linda has chosen to live and be present in the here and now. Lesson #2: Forget about the past - it's already happened. The future is in God's hands. STAY IN THE PRESENT MOMENT ~ or risk missing something amazing. Lesson #3: LOVE THOSE IN FRONT OF YOU. Thanks Tom and Linda for always being there for me and teaching me life's most valuable lessons!
Love You to Pieces...
P.
Hello to the Hundt House,
Gail and I will be there tomorrow afternoon. Thoughts and prayers till then.
Love you all bunches,
Janie
Tom, Linda and the rest of the friends and family,
I wanted to just tell you that we (Eric and I) think of the Hundt family and pray for you every day. I hope that the prayer shawl donated by the Presbyterian Church in Traverse City will give you and Tom some comfort. I have talked to my paster and friends up in TC at church and my paster and friends in Holland, both church families are praying hard for all of you.
Linda,
I pray for you each and everyday to have the strength to keep going, I know it is hard to watch someone go though this. I wish that there was more that I could do for you and Tom. Please let me know if you can think of anything. We love you!
Laurie and Dave, just remember that we love you! Please let us know if there is anything that we can do. I told Laurie that I can stay for a few days right after easter either with the girls in Whitehall to keep some sort of a normal rutine for them or in Lansing helping around the house. I wish that there was more that we could do for you guys too. Let me know how things are going. Hope to talk to you soon!
Lots of love and prayers,
Jamie
Hello Tom and Linda;
I am so glad to hear Tom is home. I have been wanting to come visit, but didn't want to tire everyone out with my three energetic and noisy kids I would have to bring with me.
Ever since Laurie and Dave were married, I considered you both to be my family, also. Please know that I am thinking and praying for you, that God's perfect will be done, and that Tom is able to have peace and comfort now that he is back home. If there is anything I can do, please let me know, and I will be glad to do it.
With love;
Heather Brown
P.S...Tom may not remember the traffic tickets he gave me back in Traverse when I was about 16, but I now find that hilarious!!! Maybe remembering that will give him a little laugh....it still does to me!
As some of you know, I own Sweetie-licious Bakery Cafe, a darling shop that both Tom and Linda helped John and I create. All of my pies have a pie story attached to every box and Cherry Cherry Berry is one of our most popular. Anyway, Tom is, of course, a huge pie fan and I thought it only appropriate that he have his own pie story for one of his favorite pies. I am entering this pie in the Food Network Pie Challenge and for Tom, I hope it wins...
Tom's Cherry Cherry Berry Pie -
My brother-in-law, Tom is one of those people that you instinctively love and respect. I think initially you love him because he has a mile-wide smile that he uses sincerely and often. After you get to know Tom, you respect him for his passions, his work ethic, his commitments, his loyalty, his strength and his love for all living things. As our brother, neighbor and friend, his good deeds to our family are too numerous to mention, but a particular passion of his is indeed, especially dear to me, his love for all things pie! Every week or so, we have the family over for "movie night" which includes a homemade dinner and a movie. Tom's beloved wife, Linda and I do potluck and the rest of the family indulge in a feast, with of course, plenty of pie for dessert! The next morning, without fail, Tom would track me down to give me a quick message, as Hundt men, by nature, are men of few words. His thoughts were simple yet powerful, "Linda, the cherry pie you made last night was stupendous." I could see his smile, his conviction and his kindness over the phone lines. I would thank him profusely and go on with my day with that much more confidence, that much more zeal and that much more inspiration. Tom understands the most important tenets to live by and loves inspiring others to be the best they can be.
Eat Pie and Inspire Others.
Linda Hundt (sister-in-law)
Oh Linda,
What an inspirational, beautiful, peaceful writing. It has to make someone stop and smell the roses!
You are a woman of strength and courage and I think you and Tom should have honorary superhero capes! You both have been warriors through this mission. I truly envy you both!
Thank you for letting me share in your battles. It made me see how two committed people are supposed to love. My times at the hospital with you guys brightened up my day(s). I loved "bugging" Tom with my strength tests and food motivation! He endured my efforts with smiles and the occasional "outstanding"! I love how my dad has also picked up on the Tom-isms!!!!
Again, I love you both dearly!
Love,
Amy (Nick and Avarie also)
P.S. Tell Tom it made my day to here "see-ya" the other day.
"Life should be lived to the fullest; regrets, memories, happy times and sad. Embrace yesterday, today and tomorrow. Each moment tells a new story."
Hi Tom, Linda and family,
What an inspirational post.I am thinking of you and what you are going through daily. My husband was in this position 5 years ago. His mom (she also had brain cancer) had Hospice Care also, what an incredible and wonderful organization. They really helped us understand what was happening. Grace had lots of visitors daily and it was an amazing experience to be a part of. To be surrounded by all of the love and caring displayed was an experience all in it's own.
Our families have known each other since before I was born. We may have drifted apart over the years, but you are thought of often and in these difficult times everyday. I drive by the T.C. Post(often) and I say prayer for all of you. I still remember coming to T.C. with my mom to do some visiting and shopping and hanging out at your house. We had some very good times.
God Bless you and may he watch over you and grant you the strength and courage needed. Your post has shown me life is to precious to let slip by, embrace it, live it and show those you love what they mean to you every chance you get.
Thinking and praying for you in Travere City
Kim Hankamp-Kroupa
Tom & Linda, Just as I think you two are the greatest inspiration I have known, you inspire me and impress me even more! Laurie is so blessed to be a part of your family and I consider you both my family as well. Quality men like you Tom are few and far between. I am pleased that my family has been blessed by loving, caring men..who would give of themself to make life better for their family and make a difference in our world. We are blessed that Laurie has David as well.
If I can do anything to make this difficult time easier for you, please let me know. You are both in my thoughts and prayers everyday. Linda Enger
Tom and Linda,
I have no words to describe my sadness. I'm the one thinking this isn't fair and why Tom, why this family..which I know is selfish but I know there are others feeling and saying the same things. Basically it comes down to that we all love Tom and Linda and it plain sucks to see the people you love go through pain.
I guess I'm mad at myself for taking my time with Tom for granted. I never thought that this would happen to him. But I cherish every moment, every lesson he taught me...He was my mentor not just as a troop but as a father figure and a great friend. We all have our special stories and we all are better people for Tom and Linda being in our lives. I know I am a stronger and better person because of them. Thank you both. I love you!
Your other girl,
Shawn
Hundt Family:
I am writing to let you know that you are all in my and my wife Reasa's thoughts and prayers. Linda's post was an extraordinary testament to what we should all aspire to find in those we love. Tom provides for us an example of the character far too few of us have the courage to demonstrate.
I was especially touched by Linda’s reference to Tom’s file of thousands of happy memories. Just today, I was reflecting on the many happy memories from our time as your neighbors in Traverse City (neighbors at Parterre Place address). I explained to Reasa that we always knew when Tom was working nights and sleeping during the day because Linda would hang a sign on their front porch that said “Shhhh.” The neighborhood kids knew that “Shhh” meant “Shhh” and that Tom’s job was serious and that he needed his rest to keep all of safe while we slept at night.
My thoughts also take me back to the one time I have attempted SCUBA diving in my life. Tom and my Dad took David and my brother Andrew out to Long Lake on a bright sunny summer day where Tom showed me how to SCUBA dive.
Also, the weight room you had in your basement has always stood out in my memory. Over the years I have thought back to this particular room and realize now that it was not the thousands of pounds of iron that Tom lifted with my Dad that drew my attention as a child, rather it was the near life-sized poster of Tom wearing sunglasses and a leather jacket sitting on his motorcycles alongside some other tough fellas on their motorcycles that stands out. At the age of 7, that photo showed me what it meant to be cool.
You had to look up to Tom. He could fix anything, lift more weight than anyone else I have ever encountered, ride a motorcycle, and SCUBA dive! Not only did you look up to him, you had to feel safe with a guy like Tom as a state Trooper.
Tom, thank you for the many happy memories you were part of as a neighbor. Also, thank you for dedicating your career to keeping us safe. I will always look up to you.
Love,
Ben
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