Think and say the word, or think and say “Peace,” and pray for Peace, Justice, and Equality.
REMEMBERING TOMIE on June 5, 2020
Tomie was invited to attend a literacy event in NYC, Spring, 2017. He would not be seated on the dais. He would be honored from the floor. The event was to be held at a private social club, formed by the likes of Morgan, Vanderbilt, and Roosevelt, originally for gentlemen, and more recently, women were allowed to become members, begrundgingly, I imagine. The Club’s website listed “House Rules,” including its Dress Code. The list of “don’ts” for women was lengthy. Men: “Gentlemen are required to wear jackets and ties at all times (turtlenecks and ascots are not acceptable).” No mention of pants, socks, shoes. Tomie either chose to ignore the Dress Code or he never saw it. As he stepped out of his Town Car, the doorman said, “You’re not planning on coming in here, are you?” Thus began the battle royale on the sidewalk in front of the Club. From toe to head, NO ITEM of Tomie’s clothing was acceptable. Not shoes. Not socks (GASP: “He’s not wearing socks!” Look closely: beige compression stockings.). Not pants. Not shirt. Not jacket. Not scarf… The arbiters of acceptable attire eventually relented and allowed Tomie to be hidden in a side room with the servers. He could not enter the dining room until cocktail hour was over. But, one of the honorees, a rather forceful woman, saw him and said, “Come out of there. My daughter wants to meet you.” When Tomie returned to New London, he asked Tracey MacKenna of MacKenna’s Family Restaurant to re-enact the scene. He kept coaching her to be meaner. A life full of stories of which I can remember just a few. (Bob)
Day Four of the June, 2020, Peace Novena
Think and say the word, or think and say “Peace,” and pray for Peace, Justice, and Equality.
REMEMBERING TOMIE on June 4, 2020
October, 2018. Tomie spoke at the Guggenheim Museum in New York City. Maria Russo, Children’s Book Editor at the NEW YORK TIMES, would soon join him on stage to interview him. I have two vivid memories. One, as I waited with the next family in line for the book signing, the mother slipped me a note that said her daughter had selective mutism. I was able to show Tomie the note before he interacted with the family. Tomie spoke with the family and girl as if nothing was unusual. The girl said only a few words to Tomie, but… she SPOKE a few words. It was obvious the parents were happy when they left. Two, there were a greater number of emotional folks at this book signing than at other signings. That is, mothers, fathers, single adults who had tears in their eyes, and even cried, because meeting Tomie brought back significant childhood memories of the importance of his books to them, or the importance of his books to their families. It was common at autographings for Tomie to be referred to as “a family friend.” (Thanks to Laurent Linn for the photograph.) (Bob)
Day Three of the June, 2020, Peace Novena
Think and say the word, or think and say “Peace,” and pray for Peace, Justice and Equality.
