Dear Editor,

I am passing along a small story that all of us who knew Tom Hendricks may want to read.

I am a neighbor of Serah and 4-year-old Thomas Hendricks, Serah and Tom’s son. Before Tom passed, every morning, soon after little Thomas was born, father and son would drive up to the Hendricks mine while Tom would collect his daily wastewater samples and do other morning chores at the mine.

Since Tom’s passing, I have spent a lot of time with Thomas. We usually walk along the road, into town, through the woods, everywhere. For the last few years, as we walk, Thomas would always find rocks to give to others. The first special “gift” rock he finds is always for his Mom. The second might be for me or my wife Ellen. Frequently he finds some to give to others. Unfortunately, he always gives them to me to carry so by the end of our hikes I am usually quite loaded down with his special rocks for giving away later.

This morning I happened to be driving by New Explorers preschool as Serah was delivering Thomas. As I stopped to say hi, I noticed Thomas’s hands full of little rocks to give to his friends.

I am not the brightest light in the Nederland chandelier so it took me a long time to realize that these rocks that catch Thomas’ eye, and the kindness of giving them to his Mom and others, is Tom’s way of being present in Thomas’ life. Many of us in our neighborhood have gotten to know and spend time with Thomas and, as it turns out, with Tom. It seems that while he passed, he didn’t die.

What a sweet reminder for us that not only does it take a village to raise a child, but sometimes it takes a child to raise a village. In this case, giving small, common rocks wrapped up in love and kindness. 

Scott Harrison  
Nederland