It was an odd way to start each day, at least in the beginning, wondering then asking who died, particularly yesterday or today.

But that's what he did, for decades, four or more of them, keeping tabs on the lives and passing of the local esteemed as well as those who were quieter and lower key. He tracked down the facts, talked to the family and to friends, seeking to better understand their time here, then aligned the words and the sentences to shape their last and lasting stories and provide due justice to their lives. He took great pride in his work, took great care in telling the stories of the dead, in getting it right and fair, fully conveying the warmth and love that was theirs. He told their stories, thousands of them, of teachers, preachers, and housekeepers, of homemakers and business leaders, of bankers and bakers, of doctors and nurses, of lawyers and laymen, of barbers and bartenders. In the end, he had simple advice: Get ahead of it, write it yourself, don't leave it to chance, no one knows you better than you, no one other than you knows what's most important to you, and don't think your life's any more insignificant than anyone else's! -------------------------------- Hear, hear! In memory and honor of Tom Vartabedian, who I had the good fortune of knowing and working with for a couple of years at The Haverhill (Massachusetts, USA) Gazette. RIP Vart! Check out Tom's story here.
Thanks for sharing this, Rich
Needless to say,
I’m not wanting to think of that day
……yet certainly sage advice
…..well done Tom
….well done Rich