Resident Stories

Tommy’s Story

Tommy was that wonderful mix of “grownup” and “child”.  In appearance, he was the typical grown up; in actions, he was a typical 8year old.  At Malachi House, we often meet men who are wonderful loving people; men who break our hearts when their time comes to leave us in death.  But with Tommy it was doubly sad (and happy at the same time.)  Not only did we lose a friend, but a trusting loving little boy, too.

                             

Tommy could often be heard running through the House calling “hey, Polly, do you love me?”  And the answer was always an emphatic “yes!”  or the question “Have you ever been to Germany?”  When the answer was “no” he’d come back with “Me, neither! “

If this sounds strange to you, maybe it is. That is, if you are thinking of the grown- up Tommy. But think of the little boy who was also Tommy, and it doesn’t sound strange at all. He was actually the Tommy we fell in love with, the innocent, trusting boy who knew that we would help take care of him when he needed us most. And we did, because that’s what we are all about. To love, nurture, and care for all our “grownups” and “little boys” who come out way.