We miss you, Tom Wachtel

[10:49 am] Tom was my doctor and Simone's. He taught me how to hunt edible wild mushrooms. He calmly and sensibly guided me through several rough waters. I looked forward to going to his office. We eagerly yapped about travel and hiking and the health care industry, while his other appointments backed up. He was repeatedly named one of Rhode Island's "top docs" by his peers and had co-authored a highly regarded guide to geriatric care (3rd edition, 2008). He died Monday, leaving his wife and three children. There are some people you're just instantly friends with. Something works. Tom was that for me, even though I only saw him a couple of times a year. With deepest regrets, may you rest in peace, Tom. [6:12 pm] I am sad. Sighing sad and listening to sad, then triumphant, music. I want to send off Tom well. And I don't want to send him off at all. Though our time together was measured in hours not days, he was important in my life. He saved me, really saved me, at least once. I miss knowing he's around.