Thomas Walter Devine

December 20, 1963- June 30, 2008

Important Facts

Tom was born on December 20, 1963 in Spring Field Massachusetts

He was the youngest of three children born to Jane and Robert Devine

His siblings names are Kathleen and Robert Devine

In September of 1998, Tom met Jahna Smith. On October 20, 2003 they became engaged to be

married.

On April 8, 2004, Danika Renee was born….

Followed byRobert William on June 7,

2007

Since Heaven has become your home

I sometimes feel I ’m so alone

And though we are now far apart

You hold a big piece of my heart

I never knew how much I ’d grieve

When it was time to let you leave

Or just how much my heart would ache

From that one fragment you would take

The Tom we all knew and loved was a free spirit so full of fire

He had a zest for life; especially all things loud and fast.

He was a good friend to all of us and would readily give you the

shirt off his back.

He lived his short life to the fullest and never had regrets

The Tom I know and love showed me another side

that most did not get to see.

He loved his children Danika and Bobby immensely

Tom put the twinkle in his daughters eye;

as she truly thinks he hung the moon

Some of my favorite memories

are seeing him play with them.

He would not hesitate to get down on the floor with them and become

A goofy kid himself

Watching this made me feel

as if I had three little ones

instead of just two.

Tom would not want us to mourn for him.But rather cherish

the fun times we shared,

Look back and have some laughs.

Remember, laughter is good for the soul

Tom rode off into his sunset exactly the way he would have

chosen. 

He was doing what he loved. 

Only bikers understand

why dogs love to stick their heads

out car windows.

 

I bought a book to help the kids better understand

Its Called Water bugs and Dragonflies

It explains that Dragonflies begin as waterbugs

In order for them to become a beautiful

dragonfly,

they have to change

and leave the safe

underwater world they know

As painful as it is to never come back,

they understand that this is the process of

moving on.

Tom, we know you are with us still.

I decided to keep the 4th of July plans

you and I had made,

And  before we left, Danika and I were outside.

As we were sitting there, a bright,

brand new baby dragonfly

flew

right up to us. 

Tom we love you.

We will never forget.

~Jahna SmithJuly 6, 2008

 

Dragonfly by Danika age 5

I Am Not Here

Don't stand by my grave and weep

For I'm not there, I do not sleep

I am a thousand winds that blow

I am the diamonds glint on snow

I am the sunlight on ripened grain

I am the gentle autumn rain

When you awaken in mornings hush

I am the swift uplifting rush

Of quiet birds in circle flight

I am the soft stars that shine at night

Do not stand at my grave and cry

I am not there,

I did not die

~Native American Poem

If you live to be 100, I want to live to be 100 minus one day, so I never have to live

without you.

~Winnie the Pooh

Slow Dance

Have you ever watched kids

On a merry go round?

Or listened to the rain Slapping on the ground?

Ever followed a dragonfly’s erratic flight?

Or gazed at the sun into the fading night?

You better slow down.Don’t dance so fast.

Time is short.

The music won’t last.

Do you run through each day On the fly?

When you ask, “how are you?”Do you hear the reply?

When the day is doneDo you lie in your bed

With the next hundred choresRunning through your head?

You better slow downDon’t dance so fast.

Time is short.The music won’t last.

Ever told a childWe’ll do it tomorrow?

And then in haste,Not seen his sorrow?

Ever lost touch,Let a good friendship die

Cause you never had time To call and say hi?

You’d better slow down.Don’t dance so fast.

Time is short.The music won’t last.

When you run so fast to get somewhere

You miss half the fun of getting there

When you worry and hurry through your day

It is like an unopened gift…..

Thrown away.

Life is not a race.

Do take it slower

Hear the music

Before the song is over

In loving memory of Thomas Devine

December 20, 1963- June 30, 2008