A 72-year-old farmer from Holder died on a Saturday night in August. Tom Walters was of those farmers who always waved, whether he knew you or not. It didn't matter whether he was in his pickup truck or on a combine carefully creeping down the road during harvest season, he'd always turn his head in your direction and give you a slow wave.

At his visitation, there was a two-hour wait for those who wanted to wave one more time. On display there was a silver watch stopped at 10 'til 5, a dusty FFA jacket that would fit a skinny teen and a faded Marine uniform, all part of his story. His obituary was simple. He liked visiting friends and spoiling his grandchildren.

Growing up, I lived a lane away from Tom and his wife, Karen. Every summer, they'd invite you to come over and pick as many cherries as you wanted from the aging tree in their front yard.

Fresh cherry pies and slow waves. If only life were still like that.

But it always was for Tom.

Kate Arthur

Bloomington