For Tom

My cousin Tom died in the early hours of this morning. He was my ‘big’ cousin, some seventeen years older than me. As a result, he was closer to my late sister than to me, though over the years we always exchanged Christmas cards. Some four months ago, we reconnected - a couple of visits, a few telephone calls. I found out he was suffering from lung cancer. He seemed well and was still a lovely jovial guy.
Two weeks ago he developed pneumonia and had to go to hospital. I was lucky enough to go visit him a couple more times. On those few occasions in the last couple of months I had some lovely conversations with him. I wish we had reconnected sooner. I will miss him.