It’s the winter of 2007.
I just got out of my English class, and I’m walking down a long, narrow staircase at Cazenovia College. It’s dark outside, the quad illuminated by a few overhead lamps. Snow is delicately falling from the sky, adding a thin, soft layer to the 1-2 feet already on the ground.
Suddenly, I’m hit from behind with a cardboard box.
“What the–” I don’t even have time to finish the sentence.
Something out of a Warner Brothers cartoon whizzes by me, running down the stairs, two at a time. It opens the front door, and darts outside.
It’s my friend and classmate Tom.
Once I realize it’s him, I’m not surprised. If I had to give superlatives to everyone I’ve ever met, Tom would win for Most Energetic… and Most Likely To Throw Things At You.
That point is made as soon as I walk outside. Although he walked outside just a few minutes prior to me, he suddenly has an arsenal of snowballs, which he hits me with rapid fire, before disappearing into the night.
Ladies and Gentlemen, Tom Grott.
Over the years, whenever I’ve talked to someone about Cazenovia, Tom’s name has occasionally come up. He’s one of those people who immediately, without hesitation, you say, “I LOVE him!” when he’s mentioned.
Because he has an uncanny ability to be everything, all at once – bold, energetic, intelligent, creative, passionate, and empathetic. Unforgivingly himself.
In fact, when I sent him this post, I asked him to tell me if anything I wrote made him feel uncomfortable. His reply?
“Hit go. Nothing makes me uncomfortable.”
After we parted ways, Tom returned home to his roots in Albany, NY. That was nearly 8 years ago.
“I worry about the future a lot,” Tom admits. He expresses a fear of leaving Columbia County, but says, “I know it has to be done.”
I ask him about what city he’d want to move to, and his answer is unexpected, but refreshing.
“I’m not much for the city, or any city for that matter. It makes my heart race in the worst possible way,” he says. Though, when it comes to international travel, he has one spot in mind: “Czech Republic. I have no idea why. I just want to see Prague.”
Tom has always had a lot of depth to him. After talking to him about his life, I find a striking resemblance to Thoreau. His love of and comfort in nature…I can see it.
The shade of tall, dark trees. A flickering fire. And my friend Tom, completely immersed in it all.
“I can’t imagine anytime when I’m happier than in the woods with my dog, my tent, and my gun. It’s just back to basics,” Tom says.
“You and your thoughts. A book and a good smoke,” he adds.
Aside from spending time in the woods, Tom also talks to me about one of his favorite past times: researching graves.
“I’m enthralled enough to dig through archives of newspaper to find out about someone who passed away 100-200 years ago,” he elaborates. He then wonders if anyone will ever do the same for him.
Tom has a great appreciation for history, apparent by his hobbies, and his choice in company. He describes who he’d most like to spend time with (anyone, ever). He says it’s his departed family members.
“We would sit around the table. Tell stories like the old times. Just to hear their laughter once more. I know I can’t live in the past. But I miss that.”
His nostalgia is poetry.
“My grandmothers gentle eyes. My grandfathers quite nods of approval. My other grandmothers hands. I guess I’d rather have those again than to pick someone famous.”
My conversation with Tom reminds me of why I wanted to start interviewing my friends and family. He’s so connected to who he is – and that person, is someone incredibly admirable. Over time, people tend to change – mostly, to fit a mold, but Tom hasn’t changed. Even after eight years, he’s still everything, all at once.
And super honest.
“I can’t write in cursive. Still don’t know my multiplication tables, and I hate four pronged forks,” he informs me.
Of course, we discuss what Driftyland is all about – breaking out on your own, and staying true to your values – and his response is perfect.
“Stop making excuses. If someone is telling you it’s not a good idea for any multitude of reasons. Tell them to get bent.”
(I literally laughed aloud when I read that last part)
“In this day and age, truth and honesty, and a good work ethic are really what shine through to me. I’m 28, and a firm believer that a handshake is a blood contract. Your word is your bond.”
Indeed.
Tom’s Favorite Books/Music:
- All of Tolkien. – “It’s a dangerous business, Frodo, going out your door. You step onto the road, and if you don’t keep your feet, there’s no knowing where you might be swept off to.”
- Mewithoutyou – “Just sparks that fire in my soul.”