Thomas Simpson Parker Junior

The photo above is my best friend, Tommy Parker.  The little girl with him is his daughter Liberty.  This photo was made in Greensboro, NC around 1973. 

I have known Tommy all my life.  We were childhood friends since the first or second grade.  The best way to sum up our relationship is this:  You name it and we have probably done it together.  Literally.

Tommy died 3 January 2012, and I will miss him dearly.

I think his demons from Vietnam chased him to his grave.

But it is over now Tommy. 

Those demons can't hurt you any more.

And to all of Tommy's other friends and relatives, I just could not bring myself to go to his funeral.  It would have been just too heartbreaking.

Tommy understood.  He didn't like funerals any more than I do.  We had discussed this very subject about four months ago.  So long, my friend.