A Night of Joyful Remembering
If you couldn't tell from Mom's amazing post, yesterday was their 48th wedding anniversary. For once in his life, Dad's timing was a bit less than wonderful on this occassion. We had a day of shopping topped off by a lovely dinner at Three Forks with us "kids" and Mom. It had to be an unbelievably difficult day, but she pulled it off with her usual grace under fire. This patient resilience was honed by years of Dad showing up with a dozen or so unannounced dinner guests, new cars he bought on a whim or any number of home appliances and furnishings from Costco. Her grace toward him and/or the recipients of his benevolent generosity was unfailing. It stood her in good stead yesterday and again today at the viewing. This evening was such a joyful time with friends and family who came to say "see you later" to Daddy. We had braced ourselves for the past few days for today and tomorrow. When we got to the funeral home, I kind of freaked out thinking "Oh my gosh, this is a funeral home." In my head I knew that's where we were going, but the reality of the hearses lined up and serious people escorting you back to the smell of lillies almost sent us running back to our cars. But then Mom and I got there (she was riding with me so of course we were late) and the faces of friends and family drove the terror away. Everyone was so perfect in their loving concern, support and desire to share their stories of Dad's impact in their lives. It was a time of much laughter and some tears. The amazing part is that the laughter far outweighed the tears. Their were people spilling out into the halls and other rooms, like a rowdy group of friends at a pot luck or party. This is the way Dad wanted his life celebrated. Thank you all for your concern and shared joyful grief tonight! We look forward to seeing God's hand move as we celebrate Dad's life tomorrow and watch God place the benediction on a life lived in service to Him. We hope to see all of you there who can possibly make it because it will be a party not to be missed.
posted by Cari at 8/23/2006 10:05:00 PM
8 Comments:
We are grieving and celebrating with you all!
Wish we could physically be there! Our hearts are "knitted" with yours....
Tom was very much WSFC's "grandfather"! I will miss his bear hugs and great BEAUTIFUL, BIGGER THAN LIFE SMILE!!!
Love & blessings
Filbert & Martie
Hello Eileen, DeeDee, and all of the family.
I read through the posts of "Night of Joyful Remembering," and thank you for the privilege of getting to glimpse a family legacy firsthand. Tom has left a living legacy that lives on in his children and grandchildren.
I still laugh, about the many times I begged Tom, "You can adopt me!" and in many ways he did. His spirit of joy, founded in God, went out before him in everything he did...including all the people in which he had contact. Mark and I are grateful to have known him. Now, he has been adopted into the greatest family possible...that of our Father in heaven. No doubt, he will shake up the place...just a bit. Our love to all...and I was especially overwhelmed when I read the words of the family members that I know. Bo's words, especially. May his memory and God's presence bring you peace and joy.
Love, Judy and Mark
Dearest Eileen,Cari and Family,
It's been wonderful being able to read and share with you all the memories, and stories of love and caring you have for each other.
The great spirtual life Tom instill in all his family is evident in all he did for each and every on of you. Eileen you were indeed TOM'S WIFE whom he LOVED AND TREASURED with all his mind, body and soul.
We were sadden when we heard of his passing. My dad Hector call and broke the news to us. I remember when my mom Lupe Sepulveda joined our heavenly father and we were able to convince Dad to go with Cari, Hector and the Hardeman family to their favorite vacation spot Maui, Hawaii. That was the best thing for him. You rejoiced together. Thank you for being there for us at the time of our needs.
Tom is in a better place with his heavenly father. He has joined my mom Lupe and they are celebrating life together with many other family and friends knowing that one day we will join them in heaven. What a party that will be!
Just imagine "SMILE".
"A Night of Joyful Remembering" is what it is all about. Celebrating his life as you once helped us celebrate my mom's life.
I have always been very thankful and blessed for having Cari as my sister. Eileen, you and Tom have been the most wonderful parents to my brother Hector. Tom has been a very positive role model for the whole family and those around him.
We have been with in in Spirt even though we were not able to be with you in person. Our Spirt joins in the celebration of Tom's Life just as if we had been with you. We cried, laughted and rejoice at being part of the Hardeman Family.
Aileen, Cari and Family we love you'll. Our prayers will always be with you. All our families in Yuma, AZ have a special place in their hearts for Tom and all his family.
Tom will always be with us. "Sleep with the angels" everyone as my mom use to say.
GOD BLESS YOU, Love, Florentina (Tina) and Rafael (Ralf) Leal
Dear neighbors:
What a beautiful celebration this afternoon for a great man. We learned so much about Tom today which only added to the huge amount of respect we have for him.
We live next door. We moved in about a month or so after Tom and Eileen did. There was no fence around either yard but both of us planned extensive landscaping projects.
Tom went first (suprised?) and wow, did he create a beautiful outdoor living area. He didn't want us to have to look at his pool equipment so he built a fence about 4 foot high.
A year or so later we added a pool and I built a taller fence because I had more stuff to hide.
He came out, and said, "you know, my fence is going to look bad next to your fence now". I hadn't given it much thought and besides, it was on the opposite side of his pool so it really didn't need to be a big deal to him.
Tom, always thinking of others, was up at 7:30 am (what time does Home Depot open anyway?) and out there building away the next day. By noon he was done with a beautiful fence to match ours. And when he saw my "end caps" weren't cut off he rushed back to his house to grab this super industrial mega power saw and off they came!
We were in Boston this week when we heard the news about Tom. We have been thinking and praying for him and your family for months, following his progress through your Blog. Please also know that he has been on the Stonebriar Community Church's prayer chain since he was diagnosed.
We miss him.
Mike and Amber (and Maggie) Grubb
Aunt Eileen and family:
I wish I could have been there but I was there in spirit and in prayer.
Cari: I wanted to thank you for this site, it kept me informed and helped bring my own great memories of Uncle Tommy and the times I spent with all of you, camping, water skiing and all the laughter. I will hold these memories close. I love you all so very much and will miss Uncle Tommy. My love and prayers are with you all.
Hardemans, My dear family
I love you all. I cannot thank you enough for embracing Sharon and I and giving us the opportunity to say "see ya leter" to Uncle Tom before he slipped away from us. I was so honored and blessed when Sharon shared with me that Uncle Tom said to her when she was at his side; Blessings to you and your sister. He loved us to the very end.
With you, my heart continues to feel the loss but with a mixture of laughter and tears I just think of Uncle Tom in Heaven and the joy he is spreading there. What a party!!!!
Aunt Eileen, I love you and will cherish the time we spent together and the treasures you shared with me. You are so blessed with God's strength and beauty.
Love to you all.
Joannie
Hardeman Family:
Rob and I are saddened to hear of the loss of your husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. We will always remember Tom with thanksgiving to our Father that we were allowed to cross his path. When I think back on our times with Tom, these are some of the things I remember about him: Tom was light and salt to many; Tom was blessed with wisdom far beyond that of most mortals; Tom was a champion in his walk with Christ; Tom brought glory to the Name of the Father in all he did. Surely he was greeted with those words we all long to hear, "Well done, my good and faithful servant." What a legacy he has left for his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. How blessed we are to have known him and his wonderful family.
Blessings to you Hardeman family. We are praying for you in your time of grief. Thanks be to our Father that the separation is temporary!
We love you.
Rob and Kathy Marcum
Words can't express the sadness that I felt when I heard of Tom's
sickness and death. I know that God must have needed him at this time in his life.
I worked closely with Tom in the
Alabama District while he was here.
I always looked up to him and appreciated the many times we had a
chance to just sit and talk about
God. We need many more Christian men to look up to as fathers, friends, and grandfathers.
Tom was a special person, and I know he is where he belongs at this
time.
Keeping the Hardeman family in my
thoughts and prayers. May God continue to work in each of your lives.
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