Bedford, New Hampshire- June 2019

My good friend Tommy Arnold passed away in June at a time when he should have been planning his retirement. He fought a courageous and positive battle against pancreatic cancer and never gave up hope. In the end, the nasty disease took him from this world way too early.

I took this photograph in Bedford, New Hampshire on the trip back from his memorial service. The light was gray, flat and ominous, the type of illumination not good for photography or one’s spirit.

While I was very sad, this scene made me smile and think of Tom. I had to capture an image as a tribute to him and a reflection of my thoughts. You see, like Paul Bunyan, Tom was larger than life. Perhaps, we all are.

I knew Tom for 30 years. He was a unique individual and quite the character. We worked together at IBM and at one point, I was his manager for a few years. We formed a friendship and bond that withstood the test of time. He always made me laugh. Tom had very direct opinions on things and needed no provocation to share them with you. He was the salt of the earth, genuine and a good guy.

As well as you think that you know someone, you really learn more about them from the eulogies, especially when they are delivered by their children. Tom’s sons did a terrific job memorializing their dad and reinforced all my understanding of what made Tom unique. He was frugal beyond comparison, quite resourceful and unusually innovative at solving problems around his home and yard. He was quirky, different and definitely “old school”. In Tom’s book, landscaping wasn’t yard work, it was a strategic engineering project that required expert project management- something that he excelled at.

As Tom’s service ended, I realized how much of an impact he had on others in his own way. He was never famous, rich or some big civic or business leader. But he left his mark on me and many others for who he was in his own right. How much friendship and love you deliver is how you will be remembered. Tom was larger than life to those who knew him. Perhaps all of us can be, if we put our life purpose on what really matters.

Tom loved working the land around his home in New Hampshire and I think that he could relate to this scene. I miss you my friend. Peace be with you.