Woah. Wasn’t expecting a few freight trains from all directions hitting the head and, I’ll admit, even the heart. This was the exact inverse of the “clickbait hot take on an empty/empty adjacent subject”. The essay is back. This is writing that is almost closer to music than words and ideas. What a great tribute to your friend, life and to much more besides.
An epitaph both simple and profound. Worthy of your friend and a worthy pursuit for all. Not likely to be notched on a stone anywhere with my name on it. But as long as it's etched on the hearts of the people I love, I'll be good with that.
Great story. I enjoyed reading about Tom in your “Doubting Thomas’’ post. My sympathies to his family. He sounds like a great guy who will be missed terribly by those who loved him. Grief is a messy thing that we all have to deal with in our own way. Be thankful you had him in the first place. It’s hard to do.
I was lucky enough to see Warren Zevon once in a small club in Pittsburgh. Great songwriter. I remember his last show on Letterman. I was amazed at his composure & attitude. Hopefully we can all go out with that grace & humor that these men had.
Thank you so much, Matt ~ for this beautifully written piece! I had to read through it a second tme, as my eyes were blurred through tears. These are the real gems in life, the ones that etch an indelible little signature onto our hearts, like a moveable feast that we carry with us forever.
I am sorry for the loss of your new old friend! The passages you have shared lends a glimpse into a wonderful journey of friendship, as fleeting as it was. It reminded me of how many times through the kindness of strangers, we can often find some of the brightest lights and the best kinship.
I may have to find a pint of that Black Raspberry ice-cream and read this for a third time. This might very well be my favorite substack of yours..thus far. 🙏💙
Just had rat he most wonderful Thanksgiving ever with my four grandkids (1 to 5) here in Jacksonville MD. Then read this. Now I can really say that I have had the best day ever. What a great piece. What courage. Amazing
Thanks, Matt, that was lovely. I’m more on Tom’s side of the religious debate, but I value different viewpoints - like from my uncle, a catholic priest. And Warren, one of my all time favorites. “keep me in your heart” brings tears to my eyes, makes it hard to play (I’ve worked out a version on my mandolin that I can struggle through). But anyway, thanks for bringing good tears to my eyes…
Nov 24, 2022·edited Nov 25, 2022Liked by Matt Labash
Your essays are like “This Is Us” -- each one an emotional workout, copious Kleenexes required. (If you haven’t watched this series, it’s some of the best episodic writing and acting out there.)
Thanks for this on Thanksgiving.
Enjoy every Slack Tide.
P.S. Your wife should change her name to Anaylyn. It’s beautiful both to look at and hear.
Beautiful, Matt. My mother-in-law just passed from COPD. Watching that up-close, Tom’s ability to stay in good cheer is all the more remarkable to me. It is a brutal, relentless condition. Glad you guys found each other, and grateful for your ability to share the friendship with us. Happy Thanksgiving.
Thank you, one again, for your elegant, compassionate writing. The Wind is one of my favorite CDs. I've lost a few good friends since Warren passed away. I always play the CD, singing along with it and bawling my eyes out. Always very cathartic. Sounds like a weird compliment, but it is absolutely the best set of songs to get to the heart of the matter, the celebration of life. And your memorial of Tom is wonderful.... what a tribute. Great way to kick off several days of gratitude. Happy Thanksgiving!
Woah. Wasn’t expecting a few freight trains from all directions hitting the head and, I’ll admit, even the heart. This was the exact inverse of the “clickbait hot take on an empty/empty adjacent subject”. The essay is back. This is writing that is almost closer to music than words and ideas. What a great tribute to your friend, life and to much more besides.
People look at this stuff in different ways . And that's ok we're all different .. Guy had a helluva outlook . I hope I do as well
To be able to stick your finger up and say "fuck you" to the grim reaper is worth something
Beautiful.
Thanks, I really needed a good cry...
"But he left a mark."
An epitaph both simple and profound. Worthy of your friend and a worthy pursuit for all. Not likely to be notched on a stone anywhere with my name on it. But as long as it's etched on the hearts of the people I love, I'll be good with that.
Great story. I enjoyed reading about Tom in your “Doubting Thomas’’ post. My sympathies to his family. He sounds like a great guy who will be missed terribly by those who loved him. Grief is a messy thing that we all have to deal with in our own way. Be thankful you had him in the first place. It’s hard to do.
I was lucky enough to see Warren Zevon once in a small club in Pittsburgh. Great songwriter. I remember his last show on Letterman. I was amazed at his composure & attitude. Hopefully we can all go out with that grace & humor that these men had.
Tom's story moves me. Your connection with him is such a blessing.
And these words ---
Because to lose somebody means you had to have them in the first place.
It lingers inside of me.
Thank you so much, Matt ~ for this beautifully written piece! I had to read through it a second tme, as my eyes were blurred through tears. These are the real gems in life, the ones that etch an indelible little signature onto our hearts, like a moveable feast that we carry with us forever.
I am sorry for the loss of your new old friend! The passages you have shared lends a glimpse into a wonderful journey of friendship, as fleeting as it was. It reminded me of how many times through the kindness of strangers, we can often find some of the brightest lights and the best kinship.
I may have to find a pint of that Black Raspberry ice-cream and read this for a third time. This might very well be my favorite substack of yours..thus far. 🙏💙
Just had rat he most wonderful Thanksgiving ever with my four grandkids (1 to 5) here in Jacksonville MD. Then read this. Now I can really say that I have had the best day ever. What a great piece. What courage. Amazing
Thanks, Matt, that was lovely. I’m more on Tom’s side of the religious debate, but I value different viewpoints - like from my uncle, a catholic priest. And Warren, one of my all time favorites. “keep me in your heart” brings tears to my eyes, makes it hard to play (I’ve worked out a version on my mandolin that I can struggle through). But anyway, thanks for bringing good tears to my eyes…
Your essays are like “This Is Us” -- each one an emotional workout, copious Kleenexes required. (If you haven’t watched this series, it’s some of the best episodic writing and acting out there.)
Thanks for this on Thanksgiving.
Enjoy every Slack Tide.
P.S. Your wife should change her name to Anaylyn. It’s beautiful both to look at and hear.
Thanks, Matt!
Beautiful, Matt. My mother-in-law just passed from COPD. Watching that up-close, Tom’s ability to stay in good cheer is all the more remarkable to me. It is a brutal, relentless condition. Glad you guys found each other, and grateful for your ability to share the friendship with us. Happy Thanksgiving.
Thank you, one again, for your elegant, compassionate writing. The Wind is one of my favorite CDs. I've lost a few good friends since Warren passed away. I always play the CD, singing along with it and bawling my eyes out. Always very cathartic. Sounds like a weird compliment, but it is absolutely the best set of songs to get to the heart of the matter, the celebration of life. And your memorial of Tom is wonderful.... what a tribute. Great way to kick off several days of gratitude. Happy Thanksgiving!
Usually, I have something pithy to say, but not this time. Elegiac Thanksgiving real talk. Thank you; this is the content I signed up for.