Uncle Tom

Uncle Tom Weber

October 4, 1947- September 2, 2013

My uncle Tom passed away early this month.  Though we didn't want to say goodbye to him, his cancer made its final attack over the summer, and now God has won Tom's final battle.

[Heaven.  Even cancer can't take our eternity away...]

Uncle Tom was my mom's oldest brother.  Eldest of seven children, he "took his role seriously," using the words of my other uncle Jerry.  He was the organizer--planning out the roads and cities on the brothers' dirt pile in his early years, and organizing enormous family reunions in his later years--and was gifted with details--taking meticulous care of his '67 Corvette and building large dollhouses to scale, complete with tiny pictures of family members hanging as portraits.  An engineer from the beginning!  Although he and Diane had no children of their own, he was claimed by all 14 of us nieces and nephews as "ours."  He always showed special interest in what we were doing in life, and gifted us with amazing gifts using his talents in woodworking--mirrors, jewelry and fly fishing boxes, cradles, children's toys and cabinets.

Tom loved family.  Usually the first to arrive at our gatherings, he and Diane stayed until late, many times bringing gifts for the host and anyone else that they had been thinking about lately.  Ever the card-shark, he was always up for a game of "Up and Down the River," or "Ten-Point Pitch." (And was very patient to teach us all how to play!)

And I will never see another Thanksgiving turkey and not think of our carver?  Do other people know how to do this?!?  Looks like Jerry is a good apprentice...and is Pat taking notes?  :)

God gifted us with time as He took Tom.  After 17 years of fighting this disease, Tom's tumors finally stopped responding to treatments this last year.  Finally in June, he went home with the help of Hospice.  And family.  Diane was the best caregiver anyone could ask for, and it was beautiful to see all of my mom's siblings continually come alongside her to assist.  We each had time to see Tom and visit with him before the cancer took over.  What a gift.

One of the stories I will never forget is when Tom woke up one night in July or August, when his cancer was really progressing and he wasn't responding as much, and told his Hospice nurse that he had just been introduced to God.  In the next breath he asked, "Why did I have to come back?"  How amazing and unimaginable God's glory must be, to only see a glimpse and immediately want to stay forever!  Perhaps he came back simply to tell us that.  "Better is one day in Your courts..."  :)

His funeral was a beautiful celebration of his life, and a time for all of us to come together to remember him.  I won't forget the bells that rang at his funeral--newly installed in the church after Tom's research and selection--and the many people who came from miles around to honor him.  We already miss him...but are so glad he's done with his battle.  Forever he'll be coming back into our minds and memories...