“SAINT THOMAS DAY”

  Many of you have been asking about Tom Haller, who was injured last summer at Ring Lake in a horse riding accident. I called Tom on St. Patrick’s Day, and as the parade was passing his home, he was in a group singing “Danny Boy” for the TV cameras in St. Louis. Tom quickly told me they were also celebrating “St. Thomas Day too,” because, as he said, “I’m still alive!”
   Tom is back to work full-time as hospital chaplain, even on-call two nights per week. He’s driving again, and happily returns to ushering at opening day for the St. Louis Cardinals. Tom says he tires more quickly, and describes himself as being 98% his old self. He’s involved in a program to give bike helmets to kids in need, is working with the Brain Injury Association of Missouri, and beginning a support group for people with brain injuries. Just recently he was house sitting for friends who have a dog, a cat, two ferrets and three Tennessee Walking horses! Tom said he’s not riding yet, but has been talking with a sporting goods store about a cowboy hat with a helmet built in!
   Before he hung up the phone, Tom said, “I don’t think I had an out of body experience, but something happened. I’m much calmer, I have a different outlook on life, and life is really good.”

P.S. Tom’s injury occurred last summer on the first day of the seminar led by Marcus and Marianne Borg. During the seminar, Marcus was writing the final section of manuscript for his latest book, Reading the Bible Again for the First Time. Just published at the end of February, 2001, the dedication of the book reads “FOR TOM HALLER and the community at Ring Lake Ranch, Wyoming, August, 2000.” Near the end of the preface he writes, “(Tom’s) accident united the community of retreatants in a remarkably intimate way, especially as we prayed together for his recovery. . . I am happy to say that Tom has recovered and very pleased to dedicate this book to him and the people with whom I lived for two rich weeks in the mountains of Wyoming.” We are touched and grateful for this beautiful remembrance of a powerful and significant time.