Beautiful, heart-rending, expressive of my greatest fear. Stunning and amazingly told. I hope it offers the smallest modicum of comfort to know that everyone in the world of comics loves you and Leela.
Thank you Tom. Thanks. This was the bravest thing I've ever seen. I don't know what else to say except if I ever take a course at SAW I hope to meet you and learn from you. You've blown me away. This is why I believe in comics.
M K said…
Gosh that was rough to read. Beautiful and touching, of course, but it sure took it out of me this evening. You have my admiration for being able to write/draw about this. Was that Tim Kreider making a cameo there in it? It looks a bit like how he draws himself.
Anonymous Guy Who Doesn't Read Comics said…
I'm rarely moved emotionally but this was incredibly difficult to get through. Each time I read Rosalie's dialogue I got choked up, eyes welling with tears and chest heaving. I'm so sorry for what you both had to go through. I could never wish the horrors of something like that on anyone. It's just not fair.
Just this morning on the way to daycare my 3-year old pointed up at the distant crescent shaped moon and I said "Wook." I replied "The moon!" and he answered "No, doddy—it WAINBOW!"
Thanks everyone. Yes that was Tim Kreider. He comes back.
Anonymous said…
My goodness...how you render such emotions through your art is transcendent. What a gift you have! Really. I felt like I was with you through all this, felt (to a lesser degree, obviously) what this has been like for you, and my heart breaks for you.
Oh my God. I'm so very sorry, and so very moved. Thank you for sharing this amazing work. I wish I had the words that would somehow make it okay, but that's impossible. So I'll just say "thank you" again and pretend that's enough.
Anonymous said…
My heart shatters for your loss, my soul is eternally grateful for your courage in so artfully sharing your story. May the good vibes from your friends, family and fans surround and comfort you.
Tom totally beautiful and heartfelt. My son passed away too. There are no words for what parents go through.. and only we know. My Buddhist mentor Daisaku Ikeda said if one were to meet a parent who had lost a child, perhaps the only thing one could do was to sit quietly, with an arm around them. I think these are profound words.
Death is a great teacher. I'm so sorry for your loss.
Anonymous said…
This is amazing. Sharing immediately.
Anonymous said…
Heart wrenching. What a beautiful piece. I do hope that things look up for you and your wife in time.
This is simply amazing, so honest and raw. I am inspired by the attention to little details. These details really combine the reality of the loss and the abstract nature of grief perfectly in my humble opinion. It's just beautiful!
Anonymous said…
Wow. That was unbelievably beautiful but so, so sad.
Does it get better? Or do we just limp on, trying to dance as gracefully as we can with the halting steps of the crippled and scarred? Really heart wrenching and beautiful, thanks for sharing this.
Finally sat down to read this. It is incredible that you can put all of that on paper and share it with us, get little parts of it out of your head. It's wonderful, Tom. Very is a sad and very wonderful. Thank you for sharing it and giving us the chance to grieve with you and Leela a little through your work.
I remember meeting your beautiful child only once at my son's art show at Brooklyn College. She was just a truly "enchanting" child! Special indeed! The love between the two of you was pouring out for all to see that day. And now that love continues through this beautiful and heart-wrenching book. Thank you for sharing this journey with us. Please know that Rosalie's soul and spirit is with you always. Sending you and Leela strength to face each new day.
Really great Tom. Thanks you for making this and I hope you keep going. I won't comment on the subject, though it made me cry, but I want to tell you that formally you're doing incredible things too. The foreground/middleground/background section, the abrupt style shifts... It's cold cold comfort, but it's great art. Thank you.
How beautiful. You are living that nightmare that we (parents) are all afraid to speak of and yet your art makes it all burst in my heart into millions of words and images and the feeling of helplessness against things bigger than us and time.
Anonymous said…
Everyone here has already expressed how beautiful and heart-breaking this is, but it can't be emphasized enough how important it is to share your grief with other caring humans. This is what art is for — translating this kind of truth so other people can understand and share in it with you. Thank you for opening up about the worst thing anyone could ever experience, and making it into beautiful art.
Batool said…
I'm so very sorry. I wish you solace, patience, strength, happiness, and hope every step of the way. I can't imagine your unspeakably frightening loss. You're incredibly brave for creating something so beautiful in the wake of losing someone so precious. Thank you for sharing this with the world. Please have hope that things will be easier one day.
Batool said…
I'm so very sorry. I wish you solace, patience, strength, happiness, and hope every step of the way. I can't imagine your unspeakably frightening loss. You're incredibly brave for creating something so beautiful in the wake of losing someone so precious. Thank you for sharing this with the world. Please have hope that things will be easier one day.
Hi Tom, Big fan from Peru here. I don't know how to say this, but wow, reading that brought water to my eyes. I remember reading on comics related blogs about the passing of your daughter and I have to admit I was incredibly saddened.
I fancy myself a courageous person and at times I've found myself thinking about what to do when and if I eventually lose my parents/loved ones, etc. I've told myself that I'd cope with the pain and continue marching on. But to be honest, I have absolutely no idea what I'd do if I ever lose one of my kids. To lose a daughter/son (specially at such a young age) is somethig I don't wish upon anyone, not even the most horrible person in the world.
Nonetheless, here we are and life deals us the cards it finds convenient. Thank you so much for doing this. I cannot possibly relate to your situation and even though I don't know you, I'd like you to know that you have my thoughts and my hopes of a brighter tomorrow.
Anonymous said…
It is stunning and perfect and beautiful. It takes me where I don't want to go, in a way I have never seen/felt before in any media form. Devastating doesn't touch it...it cuts much deeper than that. Your book is brave and remarkable.
Now I have to go pick up pieces of myself up from the floor. -Shena
Jason Cheek said…
Tom, what I just read was incredibly moving, powerful, touching and exceptionally beautiful. It is remarkable that you can put yourself out there like this and express your feelings and experiences on paper for everyone to see. It's very courageous; something that I don't think that I could do.
Please know that there is not a day that goes by where I don't walk out of my apartment, look at your old door and think of you, Leela & sweet Rosalie.
What can we say ? That it was some really intense reading ? As a long-time reader of yours, it is, for sure. And as somebody who cannot imagine how you were, how you are, and how you'll be in the future ; without knowing Rosalie, reading her speaks was above my strenght. We love you, L. & T., without even knowing you, and we're plenty around.
Anonymous said…
Beautiful and haunting. "I'm so sorry for your loss" doesn't even begin to cover it, but thank you for sharing this. Only those in that special tragic "club" can ever fully understand, but for those who do...this gives voice to their pain. Love to you and yours.
Thank you for sharing this--it is gorgeous and very moving.
I first read your work a little earlier this year (spring, maybe), and it has really stayed with me. When I see acorns, I sometimes think of your drawings of your daughter. I didn't know her, but your transcribed memories of her put ripples out into the world.
I almost couldn't bring myself to finish it, Tom. I'm completely choked up. I don't know what to say. Very powerful.
Anonymous said…
You are honoring your precious daughter so very deeply. I cried and cried reading this - her spirit already shines through these few pages in your words and drawings. I wish you love and peace on your journey of healing. Thank you for sharing your gift, bravely baring your soul to the world.
Comments
Was that Tim Kreider making a cameo there in it? It looks a bit like how he draws himself.
Just this morning on the way to daycare my 3-year old pointed up at the distant crescent shaped moon and I said "Wook." I replied "The moon!" and he answered "No, doddy—it WAINBOW!"
I've never even met Rosalie and yet I love her.
Thanks for sharing this with the world.
@jvpoore
Death is a great teacher. I'm so sorry for your loss.
Big fan from Peru here. I don't know how to say this, but wow, reading that brought water to my eyes. I remember reading on comics related blogs about the passing of your daughter and I have to admit I was incredibly saddened.
I fancy myself a courageous person and at times I've found myself thinking about what to do when and if I eventually lose my parents/loved ones, etc. I've told myself that I'd cope with the pain and continue marching on. But to be honest, I have absolutely no idea what I'd do if I ever lose one of my kids. To lose a daughter/son (specially at such a young age) is somethig I don't wish upon anyone, not even the most horrible person in the world.
Nonetheless, here we are and life deals us the cards it finds convenient. Thank you so much for doing this. I cannot possibly relate to your situation and even though I don't know you, I'd like you to know that you have my thoughts and my hopes of a brighter tomorrow.
Now I have to go pick up pieces of myself up from the floor.
-Shena
Please know that there is not a day that goes by where I don't walk out of my apartment, look at your old door and think of you, Leela & sweet Rosalie.
We love you, L. & T., without even knowing you, and we're plenty around.
I first read your work a little earlier this year (spring, maybe), and it has really stayed with me. When I see acorns, I sometimes think of your drawings of your daughter. I didn't know her, but your transcribed memories of her put ripples out into the world.