It was 1978. The city of St Paul had just come through our street - chopping down the diseased elm trees. It was like seeing the land of the giants change before my eyes. These huge trees that had provided a canopy over our street and in our yard. Giants that had provided shade and beauty and even protection. How many times caught in a rainstorm had we stood at the base of an elm tree and been sheltered from the rain? I stood at the front door crying. Tommy, just about 2 years old stood with me. He didn't know why I was crying but he wanted to hug me and stop the tears. He and I didn't know then what a giant he would become.I didn't know then how many times he would stand by someone who was hurting and try to help stop the hurt - offer them shade and protection. He and I didn't know then how much he would grow and ask others to do that too. Yesterday I drove down Minnehaha near our house. The elms of that street were replaced with other trees - maples, ash - none of them the giant like elms that had at one time touched each other as they stretched above the street - but all of them beautiful in their own way. Some still green, others beginning to change color in ways that elms never did. I still miss the giants. But I was called to notice the beauty that is still here. The life that is still here. The part of Tommy that made him a giant was honored Friday night at St. Bernard's Homecoming football game. We were blessed to be invited and surrounded by our family and friends as we accepted kind words and gestures that honored the essence of Tom. I wish words could do justice to how grateful I am to everyone. Thank you. Love, Jeanne
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