The Death of a Friend

2 March 2010

To a friend:

Just a little while ago, my cousin called and delivered the news of your Mom’s passing. Apparently her mother informed her of this. So I’m glad you wrote to me. Of course I express my condolences to you and your family at this time in our lives.

The poet John Donne wrote something to the effect that every death diminishes each of us. I often think of that when I’m affected by someone’s passing away.

Tonight it was different. When your note came in e-mail I read the first sentences. Then I thought about it while I went downstairs and did some dishes. I knew I wanted to tell you how your mother brought joy to our lives, and even though it was many years ago true joy just stays around with you a long, long time. I felt a loss.

I returned upstairs to finish reading your note. My heart was so touched by your report of your father singing and telling the stories. And then I read of his reminding your mom of the picnic with my dad and mom and the rest of the family and guys from the shop, all by name. The singing, the memories, the stories for your mom. I am touched and honored to feel a part of the poetry of your family at this moment.

The poetry of our lives, our family’s, has been enriched as has yours. And like the poets, that’s forever.

Much love to all!

Tom Todaro

To Jan Vairio, Jules Gudchi

Did?

Done. On to more positive change for the United States of America.

Curiouser and curiouser.

The only tea party that ever made sense is showing now, in 3D at your closest IMAX theater. Take tea baggers take on taxes. This is what they think. And of course what actually is.

A Hand Large Enough For Palin To Write His Name

This is priceless. Sarah Palin goes after Allan Grayson, (D-FL), and he compliments her! for fitting his name on her hand and getting through an entire program without quitting. Promised to debate her on the issues on the unlikely event she ever learns anything about them.

This Placed Second In An AARP Contest

A Palindrome reads the same backwards as forwards. This video reads the exact opposite backward as forward and will knock you out.

My Review Of "Spring Awakening," The Broadway Show At The Fox In Atlanta

I hope to see more and more shows like this; the contemporary beat challenging our senses with what has been ingrained in our culture for centuries through the classics. Romeo and Juliet in this story? Goethe? (Faust is in there) perhaps. Is there a Led Zeppelin brick in this wall? yes. Do we strain forward to hear every word while leaning into our own futures, slouching to our pasts? these themes are universal, this play is beautiful. Bring your adolescents; if you're cool they'll be cool and you're doing them a favor plucked straight from the leitmotif of "Spring Awakening." It changed my internal perception of my early life, loves, what I thought of it all then and how I should perceive it anew now. --TT

Playing through Sunday at the Fabulous Fox Theater in Atlanta.