Thom's Leaf of Remembrance

People who don’t know, have a lot of assumptions about others who are unhoused or are generally not in the best place in their lives but these are unfair and dehumanizing oversimplifications.

Thom was a man.
He was an energetic, open hearted, fun dude. He loved walking around and exploring all this city had to offer, finding decent unknown bands, hanging out with friends, meeting interesting people and getting to know their stories.

He was a man who had a loving family, wife, son, and friends.
He had a strong work ethic, working 2 or 3 jobs sometimes.
We owned a home.
We went through a lot to have our son, going to numerous doctors and spending an ungodly amount of money.
We had a beautiful life and were happy. And yes that was taken away from us. But that’s not why we’re here today. That’s not why he’s gone.

Thom wasn’t a statistic, he was a person.
People sometimes need viable systemic options, pathways to health that are fully funded, fully staffed, and fully supported by the community.

That last one has a lot to do with bias.
There is an unspoken stigma to being unhoused that victim blames.  People are considered “Less than.” Even deserving of these circumstances somehow. What’s worse, these feelings get internalized and believed. 

But instead of creating a system to help lift people up so they can reach their full potential, they are often forgotten by society.
Forgotten is really the wrong word because it takes a deliberate turn of the head. I’m talking both literally when people walk down the street and metaphorically when helpful programs are underfunded or never given the chance to start in the first place. The people that need, that deserve, that have a right to assistance are then given consequences instead of the help they need.

It is a combination of all these things that forms the basis of why we are here. Thom’s death was a needless homicide. The people that caused his death chose fear instead of a helping hand. And we, his family, still battle the system to fight for justice in his name.

But that’s why we can’t let anyone forget. That’s why we permanently etch his name in the streets of this city he loved so much. Like a Thom tattoo. He saw the best and the worst this town had to offer and he embraced it all. He embodied the independent spirit of this city and earned this mark on its concrete skin.

Thom, we love you. You are forever part of this city now. May your leaf be a comfort to those who share your struggles, recognizing your humanity. That you were a man who lived his life to the fullest and are not forgotten.
And for anyone who dares to turn their head to the people who face those struggles, I hope the sun breaks through these Seattle skies, breaks through the grime of the city streets and shines a light on your leaf so you can blind them with your name. Be a stubborn leaf, get in their face and make them see you. 

Thank you the people at WHEEL and the Homeless Remembrance Project for making this happen. This is amazing and we’re so happy to have another positive way to remember Thom.

Thom's leaf can be found at 3rd and Pine by the bus stop next to McDonalds.