~ IN LOVING MEMORY OF TOMMY BIONDO ~ 7/26/73 - 8/6/99
This wonderful gift for Tommy is from my dear friend, Pammi.Thank you for being so kind and thoughtful!
This is Tommy's story
So listen to it please
This is very difficult
It does not come with ease
On July 26th, 1973
I had a baby boy
All 8lbs 6oz
Oh what a joy
In my hospital room
In walked Grandma, Aunt and Dad
They had just come from seeing
The big boy I had had
Tommy grew so fast
As all our babies do
I was so young
And this was all so new
Soon he was walking, talking
And diapers no more
But what do you know
He had a sister to adore
Toys and trains
Gave to skateboards and scars
Then came the girls and
Then came the cars
My divorce and remarriage
Tommy quickly rose above
And then before you knew it
He had 2 more sisters to love
At 16yrs old
Tommy found what he lacked
Eric had the camera
And there was no turning back
Movie after movie
Tommy made with his friends
He'd call me and tell me about them
From beginning to end
What a happy day it was
The day he got the call
I'm going to Minnesota Mom,
I'm going to have it all
At Camp Thunderbird
His camera clicked and flashed
How he loved taking pictures
Of the kids and the staff
The first week of August 1999
Started like any other
Then I got the phone call
Are your Tommy's Mother?
I flew to North Dakota
To be by Tommy's side
I ranted and raved and pleaded with God
But on the 6th Tommy died
I have a gift
Tommy gave to me
And from the heart it comes
The last words I heard Tommy say were
I love you Moma
It was time to start a new life
One for him and one for me
He went to heaven to see past
Friends and Family
I now see my calling
Is with the people who feel the same
The beauty, the love and unfortunately the pain
I miss you Tommy on your 36th birthday and 10th angel date
Love Mom, Portie,
Sisters, Dawn, Crystal, Brandi
Niece and nephew Jewel and Cody
LOOK AT THAT TREE SO FAR AWAY
LOOK! THAT LEAF HAS GONE ASTRAY
THAT TREE IS DIFFERENT FROM ANY I SEE
THE LEAVES GO UP INSTEAD OF ON THE GROUND WITH ME.
UP THEY FLOAT, SO LIGHT AND BREEZY
LIKE A GENTLE HAND LIFTING THEM EASY
I WATCH THEM SWAY TO AND FRO
WITH SUCH AWE I SEE THEM GO
COLORS SO BRIGHT WITH MUCH HUE
RED AND YELLOW, GREEN AND BLUE
PURPLE AND WHITE, ORANGE AND SILVER
GOLD AND PINK, SPARKLING ON A RIVER
A GREAT HAND REACHES DOWN
THE BEAUTIFUL LEAVES FALL IN THE PALM
UP IT GOES OH SO GENTLY
LIKE A MOTHER ROCKING HER BABY
I NOTICE ON THESE BEAUTIFUL LEAVES
DIFFERENT SIZES OF ALL OF THESE
SOME VERY SMALL, TINY AS COULD BE
SOME VERY FRAIL, SOME OLD AS THE TREE
AS I WALK CLOSER TO THIS WONDEROUS TREE
SOME LEAVES I SEE FALLING, CALM AS A SEA
BEFORE THEY HIT THE DARK COLD GROUND
A GENTLE WIND COMES & THEY’RE UPWARD BOUND
CURIOSITY FINALLY GETS THE BEST OF ME
I WALK RIGHT UP TO THE TREE
NAMES ON THE LEAVES IS WHAT I SEE
NO, NOT MY CHILD! IT CANNOT BE!
A CALM WASHES OVER MY TROUBLED MIND
THROUGH CLOUDED TEARS I FIND
MY CHILD SMILING DOWN AT ME
ON HIS FACE IS PEACE & SERENITY
I SLOWLY OPEN MY SWOLLEN EYES
MY PILLOW DAMP FROM THE TEARS I CRIED
IT’S NOT A DREAM, THAT I SEE
A BEAUTIFUL LEAF LAYING NEXT TO ME
YOUR BEAUTIFUL CHILD IS IN MY CARE
IS WHAT I SEE WRITTEN THERE
I KEEP THIS LEAF FOR ALL TO SEE
REMEMBER MY CHILD AS YOU DO ME
Angel Tommy's mom wrote this above poem for Tommy and all of us parents.
OUR DAUGHTER IS GETTING MARRIED TODAY
OUR SON CANNOT BE THERE
BUT HIS PICTURE IT DOTH SIT
UPON AN EMPTY CHAIR
HER DADDY SLOWLY WALKS HER DOWN
NOT WANTING TO LET GO
SUCH A RADIANT BEAUTY
AND DADDY’S PROUDNESS SHOWING
OUR SISTER IS GETTING MARRIED TODAY
OUR BROTHER CANNOT BE THERE
BUT HIS PICTURE IT DOTH SIT
UPON AN EMPTY CHAIR
WE PRIMP AND PREEN
OUR FACES ALL AGLOW
WE ARE READY TO WALK DOWN THE AISLE
READY TO START THE SHOW
MY GRANDDAUGHTER IS GETTING MARRIED TODAY
MY GRANDSON CANNOT BE THERE
BUT HIS PICTURE IT DOTH SIT
UPON AN EMPTY CHAIR
ONE MORE ON THE FAMILY TREE
GETS READY TO SAY “I DO”
ANOTHER BRANCH READY TO SPREAD
ANOTHER LEAF HAS GREW
OUR AUNT IS GETTING MARRIED TODAY
OUR UNCLE CANNOT BE THERE
BUT HIS PICTURE IT DOTH SIT
UPON AN EMPTY CHAIR
WHAT A FUN DAY THIS WILL BE
DOWN THE AISLE WE’LL GO
SKIPPING AND SMILING ALL THE WAY
WAVING TO ALL WE KNOW
OUR NIECE IS GETTING MARRIED TODAY
OUR NEPHEW CANNOT BE THERE
BUT HIS PICTURE IT DOTH SIT
UPON A EMPTY CHAIR
WE HAVE WATCHED YOU GROW
FROM A LITTLE GIRL
WE WATCH THIS BEAUTY
DOWN THE AISLE SHE GOES
I AM GETTING MARRIED TODAY
MY BROTHER CANNOT BE THERE
BUT HIS PICTURE IT DOTH SIT
UPON AN EMPTY CHAIR
BLUSHING AS A BRIDE CAN BE
I CAN’T WAIT TO SAY “I DO”
YOU ARE MY SOULMATE AND BEST FRIEND
I LOVE YOU, I LOVE YOU, IT’S TRUE
MY LITTLE SISTER IS GETTING MARRIED TODAY
SHE THINKS I CAN’T BE THERE
FOR MY PICTURE IT DOTH SIT
UPON AN EMPTY CHAIR
LITTLE DOES MY FAMILY KNOW
I AM VERY MUCH THERE
WATCHING OVER THEIR EVERY MOVE
AND SMILING EVERYWHERE
I MOVE AMONG FAMILY & FRIENDS
ALTHOUGH THEY CAN’T SEE ME
I TOUCH EACH AND EVERYONE
WITH A GENTLE BREEZE
MY SISTER IS NOW MRS. DAVID MOORE
AND I GENTLY KISS HER CHEEK
I WIPE AWAY A HAPPY TEAR
DOWN HER FACE IT STREAKS
MY PICTURE IT DOTH SIT
NOT UPON AN EMPTY CHAIR
FOR YOU SEE I AM HOLDING IT
I AM VERY MUCH THERE
BY JANE NELSON
I want to share with you what happened New Years Eve. Some of you might think I lost my mind, but I know other parents that have lost their children will understand.
It started like this:
We were on our way to Brandi & David's New Years Eve party when Brandi texted me asking me to pick up some ice. There is a Walgreens right down the block from their house.
I went in and saw a young man trying on sunglasses.....mind you this was 6pm. It's dark.
I stopped in my tracks........it's Tommy!
This guy had long hair the color of Tommy's when he wasn't dying it..lol. This guy had it pulled back in a ponytail.........typical of Tommy when his hair was long. He took off the sunglasses and started down an aisle.
Now mind you, the ice was just down from the register. As I was coming back with ice in both hands, I looked down the aisle, it couldn't have been more than a couple seconds. I looked and saw no one.......I was thinking...."Damn Tommy don't just let me get a glimpse of you"
I started to the register and just had to do a second sweep. I turned and the guy was standing by where I just was getting ice.
He was doing this funny little thing with his hands that was sooooo Tommy. I had to speak to this guy.
I walked down to him and said "Excuse me" He just backed up without looking. Again I said "Excuse me" and he turned around..........He looked at me with a strange expression..which I suppose was natural, but his eyes....lord his eyes...were the bluest of blues, just like Tommy's.
I told him Thank You........again the strange expression. I explained to him that he looked just like my son that died in '99. His face softened and he gave me the biggest hug. God it felt good. It was like Tommy hugging me again. He also said "Bless You".
Again I told him Thank You for starting my New Year out so good. Then I ask him if his name was Tom........"No he said......It's Tim" I told him it was close enough for me. One vowel off, I can handle that..........lol
I gave no concern how this young man would react to my speaking to him. It could have turned out that he thought I was nuts and backed away. But he didn't. I got a hug.
I left Walgreens with 2 bags of ice, and one of the best memories.
I told Portie as I got in the car. He wanted to know why I didn't call him in the store. He loved Tommy just as much as I do.
Anyhow, that is how my New Year started..........not to shabby huh?
Bless all of you in this New Year.
love much
Jane, Tommy's mom
Tommy worked with a local film company here in St. Louis. He started working for this company when he was about 15.
They tell me all the time that they feel Tommy around them. Brandi, my youngest, lives in the flat downstairs from the office.
Everytime I go over there, I half expect to see Tommy. You can visit their site by clicking on the banner below...
There is a section of the Wicked Pixel site that contains a memorial to Tommy. You can visit it here -- Tommy's Story
Tommy's mom wrote the poem below in honor of her Angel Tommy for Christmas.
Another Christmas without you
Its very plain to see,
My heart has been broken
Without you here with me.
Another Christmas without you
A candle lit in your honor
You may have been a sibling, a grandparent
A Mother or a Father
Another Christmas without you
Its hard to let go
To find the comfort I need
I go to the friends we know
Another Christmas without you
I wish you could see
All the friends I made
When you had to leave me
Another Christmas without you
I know I am not alone
There are others parents like me
Who children have flown home
Another Christmas without you
Its hard to understand
Why you had to leave me
And take the Good Lords hand
Another Christmas without you
One day I will see
All the wonderous things in heaven
And you waiting there for me
By Jane Nelson,
Mother of Angel Tommy Biondo
Tom Dominick Biondo made a grand entrance into this world on July 26, 1973, at 8lbs. 6oz. He left this world on August 6, 1999 at the age of 26, 6'3", 170lbs. He left a mother, his step-father, 3 sisters, a niece, a nephew who was born in 2001, along with a multitude of friends.
Tommy and his sisters at Crystal's graduation. This picture was taken on 5-28-99, and it was the last one of all 4 of my kids together.
Crystal graduates from Beauty College 9-20-07. Whoo Hoo! She did it! With honors I might add.
Tommy at the age of 15 months.
Trying to fit 26 yrs in a few words is
hard. Tommy lead such a full life. He liked to travel,
he did "B" rated horror movies with his friends, he
had many girlfriends. All of them so sweet. He always
said he didn't want any kids, but yet he worked at 3
different childrens camps. Kids loved him. He had such
a great sense of humor. A clown of sorts.
Tommy was a fun child. Never got into much trouble. He
liked to chase cars down the street, that got him into
trouble, with me.
Tommy with Dawn.
Tommy at 11 years old.
He was a typical kid, cut his teeth when he was 7
months old, walked at 11 months, first word was "no".
Tommy went to Catholic school for a couple years and
then to public school. He was in the boy scouts and
went on camp outs. I remember one time that we went to
the camp to see a program the kids put on and Tommy
had decided to try to cut an apple in mid-air. He
missed the apple and cut his knee. He was always the
clown. Always trying to impress his peers.
His Aunt and Uncle took him and his sister Dawn to
Flordia one year. I was nuts with worry. Knowing Tommy
would try to swim as far as he could in the ocean.
Tommy won 4 awards in swimming when he was in school.
Tommy started getting into horror movies when he was
about 15. He hooked up with a kid in high school, and
that was the beginning of the love for the camera.
Tommy at 13 years old.
Tommy loved life to it's fullest and took each day for everything he could. He loved to travel and was happiest when he had a camera in his hand. He died doing what he loved, taking pictures.
I guess I should tell you how Tommy died.
Tommy was working at a children's camp in Minnesota.
He was the videographer. The kids got to take a tape
home at the end of the summer.
Tommy was on a bike ride with about 12 kids in
Baudette Mn. He wanted to get a "better shot" of the
kids. He lost his balance and fell, never waking up. I
was later told that he held the camera up to keep it
from breaking.
Tommy was taken to the nearest hospital and put on a
respirator. Then he was air-lifted to Fargo, North
Dakota. The nearest trauma center.
I flew up (my first plane ride) to be with him. I
spent the night, crying, talking to Tommy, going to
the chapel and yelling at God.
The next day, I called my work to get a prayer chain
going. I have such wonderful friends at work. Needless
to say, it didn't work. Tommy was pronouced brain dead
at 6 pm that night.
I waited til his step-father and youngest sister, and
his Aunt got there before agreeing to turn off the
ventilator. It was the hardest thing I had ever done.
My head was on Tommy's chest when his heart stopped.
The time was 11:55 pm.
Tommy with his mom. This picture also was taken on 5-28-99, and it was the last one of Tommy and mom together.
Letter to Mom
Mom, please don't feel guilty
It was just my time to go.
I see you are still feeling sad,
And the tears just seem to flow.
We all come to earth for our lifetime,
And for some it's not many years
I don't want you to keep crying
You are shedding so many tears.
I haven't really left you
Even though it may seem so.
I have just gone to my heavenly home,
And I'm closer to you than you know.
Just believe that when you say my name
I'm standing next to you,
I know you long to see me,
But there's nothing I can do.
But I'll still send you messages
And hope you understand,
That when your time comes to "cross over",
I'll be there to take your hand.
Written by Joy Curnutt,
always Jason's Mom
Tommy's urn, so sad...
The poem below is printed
on the back of Tommy's prayer cards ~
When I come to the end of the road and the suns has
set for me,
I want no nights in a gloom-filled room, why cry for a
soul set free?
Miss me a little but not too long, and not with your
head bowed low,
Remember the love that we once shared,
Miss me, but let me go.
For this is a journey that we all must take,
And each must go alone,
Its all part of the Master's plan,
A step on the road to home.
When you are lonely and sick of heart,
Go to the friends we know,
And bury your sorrow in doing good deeds,
Miss me, but let me go.
~ Author unknown
Light A Candle
And I will light a candle for you.
To shatter all the darkness and bless the times we knew.
Like a beacon in the night
The flame will burn bright and guide us on our way.
Oh, today I light a candle for you.
The seasons come and go, and I'm weary from the change.
I keep on moving on, you know it's not the same.
And when I'm walking all alone
Do you hear me call your name?
Do you hear me sing the songs we used to sing?
And I will light a candle for you.
To shatter all the darkness and bless the times we knew.
Like a beacon in the night
The flame will burn bright and guide us on our way.
Oh, today I light a candle for you.
You filled my life with wonder, touched me with surprise,
Always saw that something special deep within your eyes.
And through the good times and the bad,
We carried on with pride.
I hold onto the love and life we knew.
And I will light a candle for you.
To shatter all the darkness and bless the times we knew.
Like a beacon in the night
The flame will burn bright and guide us on our way.
Oh, today I light a candle for you.
Dear Jane and ANGEL Tommy
Stars are the Windows
To HEAVEN
Where we all,
You know, Mom,
ANGEL'S
PEEK THROUGH
One of those Windows
Belongs to me Mom
Open your HEART
And LOOK UP
I will give you a wave
And a smile
Just for you Mom
Written By
Sue-Anne Aguilera~~~Lee'sMom
MY LOVE TO YOU JANE
"I am so happy to present you with
my "Beautiful Poetry Award."
The words you spoke about Tommy were
straight from a mother's heart.
You're poetry was so touching and
so beautiful that it really brought
a tear to my eye from seeing
the love of a mother for her son.
May you always feel your angel near you."
Love
Ann,
Laurasmom
In Loving Memory of Tommy
Your Son was such a unique person with such a wonderful talent. I'm sorry
the world lost his talent but heaven has gained it.
Sending love and hugs from heaven
Ann,
Laurasmom
Click the button below to send email to Tommy's mom...
A friend can hear a tear drop.
