Tom                                   



"It is this grieving that begins to clear out the heart and allow the reality of loss in. This same thing allows the heart to heal and let life return, a new and different life, but a real one. It cannot be changed - there is - thank goodness - no doctor Frankenstein.

At some point, ready or not, we have each a standing invitation to meet with mortality. If we are wise we become at that moment, more fully alive. We don’t cling feverishly to life but we cherish the lives of others because they, too, are such brief and remarkable occurrences." -Rev. Landau Krivchenia



On April 7, 2003, a young man named Thomas Paulson, known to the realms as Tom, our Janitor in Black, passed away in a tragic early morning accident. Remembered as a man of great mirth and good humor, news of his death brought together the community of Barren Realms, as we each shared personal stories and memories.

This page is dedicted to those memories and to the smiles he brought us.


"It is with a heavy heart that I inform you of the passing of our beloved immortal, Tom. He died in a car accident in April. He was a young man with a bright, joyful spirit and a bright future. He loved BR and its players, this was his second home. I will be accepting any emails with your feelings and memories about Tom to include on the BR website around his picture, which will be commemorating him. Our deepest sympathy to Yoshinori, as well, and we thank her for letting us know."

Remember folks, you are loved - we are a family.

Please take care of yourselves.
-Kiri

"Tom was a great guy, always willing to laugh and hang out, he never got upset with any mild pranks, and instead just laughed and carried on. He was a rare man to have around, a good friend and as you said. He will be missed. Tom, the Janitor in Black won't be forgotten." -Elric

"I send my sincerest condolences to the loss of a dear friend. He is a very helpful and fun man, one of the best there is. He could have been a very successful person if it wasn't for what happened. I don't really like sad situations and occurences so even before I break down emotionally, I will just say that I love him, I think we all do. Tom... I know you're in a better place, I hope they have MUDs in there, or even better."

Love ya man.
Kineyas

"To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose; A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck that which is planted."
--Ecclesiastes 3:1

"Goodbye Tom. I miss you already, and will for a long time to come. Every time i see a janitor, i'll think of you, and remember all the good times we had together, laughing and joking around. I'll remember the bad times too, and how you could always be counted on to be a friendly ear to talk to, or a shoulder to cry on, or someone to just scream at the universe with. You're fondly missed buddy. I hope you're happy, and although i don't look forward to death, the blow will be softened by being able to once again be with friends like you."

So here's not goodbye, but an "until next time".
-Disaster

"I read about Tom's death yesterday when I randomly visited the mud and I'm still kind of shook up that he's gone. I want to send something in to memorialize him by, a poem I hope. However I'm still in a grieving state and I cannot come up with anything at the moment that I'd want to send in. So, I just want to express my sorrow and say that he was a great guy, always there to talk to and the best connect 4 player I have ever met."
-Bluewing


Graphics created by Lari, 2004.