Tom: A girl's best friend

It is Sunday morning. A kind, dear man patiently greets folks as they enter church. He always is full of stories, especially fish stories, and is always quick to give you a bulletin. As service starts, Tom looks out the church front doors, scouring the parking lot for any late comers. As usual, a girl in a wheelchair with a ventilator arrives 10 minutes late. Of course, as soon as Tom sees the girl, he quickly props open the front doors and hurries down to meet her.

This is my friend Tom. We met several years ago when I first started attending this church. Tom and I have a special kinship. I sincerely look forward to seeing him every Sunday and am sad if for some reason our paths do not cross. Tom always makes me laugh. He always has some funny remark or entertaining story to tell me. He sometimes gets me in trouble.

One morning, Pastor was in the middle of his sermon when Tom slipped a comic strip cartoon into my hand. Of course, I wanted to oblige Tom by reading it. So I quickly read the captions. And what a mistake that was! The comic strip was about fishing and was absolutely perfect for Tom and his love to hook fish. When my eyes lighted on the last line of the comic strip, laughter erupted from my throat. Of course, it was perfectly timed when there was a pause in the Pastor's sermon. I was too embarrassed to look up to see if anyone was staring at me. Instead, I kept my head down for the rest of the sermon, trying not to be noticed.

Tom always makes sure I have someone to push my wheelchair to go to Sunday school or to push me out to the car. If there is no one to help me, Tom eagerly steps up to the plate. I always enjoy Tom's help. He fusses about everything and always makes sure I am properly loaded up into the car or situated in Sunday school. With Tom, I always receive 5-star service.

So, this is Tom--a kind, gentle soul who always puts a smile on my face. I am so glad God has made our paths cross. I am so glad to be able to call Tom my friend. May God richly bless Tom and his family.