A Letter From Darren

To Tom's family,

I am very sad today. I will miss Tom very much. He was a lot of fun and he made me laugh a lot. He taught me to ski in Akiachak with Ms. A and he taught me to ski at Alyeska Ski Resort. Tom was always the best puller with the snowgo. He went fast and would take us on the biggest jumps. Man I had fun! I wanted him to come ski with me again in Akiachak so we could hit big jumps. Tom was soo cool. He was always happy. Ms. A and him made me like skiing. I am happy when I am skiing. I like life when I ski.

Ms. A asked me to tell a story for Toms family..I will never forget that day when I skied with Tom at Alyeska..I begged him to let me hit big jumps my first day and when he finally let me I went full blast without turning and I broke my wrists. Dang, that hurt! Tom and Ms. A gave me a "big air" award, that was cool. Tom told me jokes and made me laugh. I still like skiing a lot but my parents don't want me doing it much.I snuk out and went skiing anyway the last time Tom visit..it was fun. I skied into a bunch of trees and couldn't get up. I think I will ski when I grow up. I want to be as good as Tom and Ms. A.

I'm sorry for Tom's little girl. I hope she knows she had a cool dad and I hope she learns to ski someday. I know he loves her.

I will miss Tom
Darren..