Hey all....Karen Geiger (Susan Kaminsky's sister)...first thing I want to thank Susan for creating this blog. I think it is a great idea for people to talk about their "Tomisms" and the affect he had on each and every one of us...

Like Missy said, it is hard to place the first time I met Tom....it seems as though he has always been a part of the family. However one of my favorite memories involves both Tom and Casey and when they took time out of their busy schedules to fly to Myrtle Beach to help us celebrate Susan's 40th birthday....after encountering a few flight delays, they arrived in time to go to the fishing tournament weigh in and they had the time of their lives....they had heard so much about the weigh-in's and seen them by webcast, but it is totally different when you can experience it first hand....Susan was extremely surprised to have her "second family" there to cheer her on....Later that night it was the actual surprise party with the Zentricksters playing and the highlight was watching and seeing Casey singing "Me and Bobby McGee". Tom and Casey hung with everybody that night until early into the morning and then boarded a plane back to New York the next morning. It was a whirlwind trip, but one of the best times we all had together....

Tom, we will remember you forever and know that you will be looking out for all of us in your special way.

Grins and giggles....kg

From Kev Martin

Tom, your body has been gone a week, but your soul and spirit is stronger than ever in me, my family, my friends, our music, our conversations, and our lives. I am truly blessed and honored to have known you, albeit too short of a time. You made me a better man, husband and friend- not because you recommended a book to me or put me in touch with someone else with similar issues as I have, but because you NEVER dodged a question I had or issue I needed advice about, and you ALWAYS had time to talk to me- even right in the middle of a busy trade show with people everywhere waiting to speak with you, too.
And then there was the music- wow... this will be impossible to capture in writing, but I feel as if the most important, substantive, gut-wrenching, exposed emotional sessions I've ever been witness to, or a part of, were with you. Please continue to guide me in my life, and keep a seat around the campfire open for me to accompany you again someday (I'll bring some new strings for you!).
K

One Year Ago Today

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j1i06ljcTwU

Shelter from the Storm

Tom

Tom was my cuz, actually my Mom's cuz I really don't what that makes me but I loved him, we really have not seen each other for a while I was going to Diaysis that was my life while he was going thru something worse, I should have kept in touch...love you cuz


Dawn

It's rare, but when you meet someone and you feel like you have known them your whole life, it is a blessing. I cherish those people and those relationships. Tom was one of those people. For the last week, I have been trying to remember the first time I met him...complete blank. He was always there...always will be. That afternoon that Susan wrote about, riding in that convertible, I was just beginning to understand what it meant to live in the moment. I have learned to never take anything, anyone, anytime for granted. They are all there for a reason...I cherish the good times and wish that I could have done more in the bad times. That goes for a lot of things. My Lucy sisters, you mean the world to me...those of you that I have and will meet because of them, I can't wait to see what the future holds.

We're all in this together!!! Missy Johnson

Surf Expo 2005

Hi susan kaminsky, met Tom through buying product from Naot since 1993 or so, opened a nearly Naot concept store in Charleston Sc in 1998, so began working closer with him. Enjoyed many a tradeshow with the ever expanding 'tradeshow family', the 'road family', etc.

This time I had brought all my store managers for Loose Lucys for a end of summer, good job working, tradeshow weekend. Tom had just made the appointment for the following week to get a trace of blood in the urine tested, so he said, what the heck, called in sick (sorry steve!) rented a convertible and went to the water park with all the girls. It was am amazingly fun day, ending in dancing at universal studios and the hard rock. A day myself, and all the girls, will never forget. Thanks T ! susan kaminsky, and Loose Lucy Girls, Charleston SC