ALERT! Tom has passed on!

He is probably already directing angels on how to set place settings for our dinner table!  TR

Thank you for the update.  I don’t blame him for opting out of the feeding tube ... I knew of a lady in my former church who had throat cancer and she was in horrific pain 24/7.  She was a believer also so she is in a much better place!  I envy both Tom and her.  How glorious it must have been to transition over to the other side to sweet Beulah Land!  No more worries or cares of this world and being with Jesus and seeing  others that you know.  Being in peace and rest.  I betcha he already had some fruit from the Tree of Life! 😉  I’m sure he met Lisa Leenie and now he can help her out getting the RITA Reunion party ready. :whistle:

His passing has really not settled in for me yet.  That will take some time!  Hopefully we shall all soon follow!  I was blessed personally to have his fellowship and friendship! His contributions to RITA and RITAN were a labor of love for our family here!  I'm sure during his time, he had ruffled a few feathers.  TR

I sat with him as he slept, and released him to go be with the Lord!  Though he went quicker than most expected.  His joy is now complete and clothed in fullness.  TR

TR I am sorry for your loss of a great brother. Certainly what you state is very true, Tom is to be envied at being with our Savior. We shall see him sooner than later, may God wrap His arms of comfort and peace around all who where part of Toms daily life and care. :prayer-hands:

My final prayer was that he have no fear.  That his passing would be quick and peaceful.  Thank the Lord, He answered my prayer!  For about 12 hrs later Tom passed.  TR

2 Corinthians 5:7-9 King James Version (KJV)
7 (For we walk by faith, not by sight:)

8 We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.

9 Wherefore we labour, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him.

Thanks for the update, Tom is in the perfect place, with the perfect health and with the perfect Person.
What a friend you've shown to be TR, to be a comfort prior to his home coming.

Very sorry for your loss, TR, but I believe you have the godly and proper perspective of actually envying him.  I, too, share your perspective in that regard.  Sure seems like it can't be too long before we join him.

Thankfully, we do not grieve as those who have no hope.  What a comfort to have the knowledge and promise that for those who physically die in this world as genuine, blood-bought, born again, Spirit-regenerated, name-written-in-the-Lamb's-book-of-life believers, it is not goodbye, but rather until we meet again.  The world simply does not get it, as the natural man is incapable of understanding the things of the spirit.

I cannot help but think of that line from that famous ad campaign with Motel 6, where the spokesman, Tom Bodett, ends the commercial with the line, "We'll leave the light on for ya..."  I have no doubt, Ritan's Tom will also leave The Light on for us.  Maranatha!!!

Tender Reed, you have my condolences for the earthly passing of your friend and our brother in the Lord.  I know he is enjoying his tour of paradise now and look forward to our grand reunion with him and all those who have already stepped into eternity to be with Christ.