Tom Kern's Page

This page has been provided to help friends and family keep updated about Tom Kern.

Journal

Tuesday, June 3, 2008 12:05 AM CDT

Thank you to the people from killthecan.org and quitsmokeless.org who have read this page and written in to this page. Your messages mean so much to me. I often find myself crying because I am overwhelmed at the number of lives that Tom's story has touched. I know there are many people who read the messages but don't write anything, and that is fine too. I check the guestbook entries often. I just wish I had the time to write a new journal page as often as I read the new entries.

Today is my last day at school for the summer. I have cleaned my classroom and am waiting to check-out. The kids have school until Thursday, so they are jealous that my students were done with school last Friday.

I find myself getting down at this time of year. It always happens in May. This was the time when Tom really started going downhill. As the anniversary of his death approaches, I get very teary and feel a tightness in my chest. It will be four years on June 12. It is hard to believe it has been that long. His birthday is this Saturday. I miss him so much! I continue to think about him every day. I want to hear him tell stories and laugh. I want him to hug the kids and me. I don't think these feelings will ever go away.

This past winter Connor(13) and Tori(11) had some hard times. They are going through many emotional changes as they are beginning to enter the teen years. Part of their sadness is due to the hormonal changes, but they have been missing him more over the past few months. It comes and goes, but they have each stated that they hate their lives. They miss him and wish he were here. Don't we all! The only thing I can do is hug them, love them, and tell them that we just have to take this one step at a time. They need to feel the sadness, and then let it go.

Kenzi and Kenra enjoy living on their own. We watch Kenra quite a bit at our house. The kids love to play with her. She is such a joy in our lives! Kenzi will start the nursing program in January. She is also working at the local nursing home as a nurse's assistant.

Alexa got her driver's license in April. Needless to say, she is constantly asking if she can run any errands for me. She just started working at Dairy Queen, and she loves having her own money.

Don and I continue to try and find time to spend together. We went to Jamaica in February for a belated honeymoon. It was wonderful, and we plan on doing it again next year.

Our summer will be busy with baseball, softball, various camps, and a mission trip.

Again, thank you to all of you for your words of encouragment and support. It means more to me than you can imagine. God continues to work in mysteries ways, and He impacts our lives in ways we may never realize!!

Love,

Jenny

Email address  : chuck.day@medtronic.com

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