Honoring Tommie Higgins: A Heart of Gold

Diana's words:

I'll be honest, I didn't think I'd have to post something like this until Tommie was in his 80's and I was in my 60's. (You know he got himself a child bride).

After being in ICU for 1 week, at 7:18 on Thursday 6/26/2024, his body was too tired to fight anymore. He had a hell of a year and a half. Fought with determination many wouldn't have. To say I am proud of him is an understatement. He had a heart of gold and loved without judgement! Once you were his people, you were ALWAYS going to be his people. He had a way of making everyone feel comfortable being their true selves. He touched more lives than he ever knew and even if he did know, it wouldn't have mattered to him. Because he would have said he was just being him. He had a FANTASTIC sense of humor and LOVED to make people laugh.

We had a very unique, organic relationship that most people don't get to experience in their lives. I had 21 years with my best friend and my biggest cheerleader. I never questioned how he felt about me. And I know he never questioned how I felt about him. From day one he called me his angel and told me I saved his life.

Pooh Bear, now it's your turn to be my angel. I have NO DOUBT that when you got to meet my Mom and Dad that the party was epic.

You are with Piglet and Opie now and I can see the smile on your face when that reunion happened. Shells finally got her Elvis hug and I can see the smile on her face. You deserve the world. And I hope that I showed you that everyday.

My heart will remain forever broken but I know somehow you will help put it back together.

I will always be your Baby Girl and you will forever be my Pooh Bear. Thank you for being the person you were and loving me the way you did.

I love you more and you can't argue with me on that now.

TOMMIE HIGGINS 4/12/1970 - 6/26/2024