October 22, 2001 My dear slave tommy, I am writing this exactly one month after you left us. It has been quite a month. your memories are everywhere. I knew we were going to lose you, but did not know when. I thought I was prepared but i wasn't. you left sooner that we expected, boy. And you left many memories in our hearts. Today, I want to give you thanks. - Thanks, tommy, for being yourself. - Thanks, tommy, for all your love. - Thanks, tommy, for wearing your collar with so much pride. - Thanks, tommy, for understanding what our family was all about. - Thanks, tommy, for your constant smile. - Thanks, tommy, for being there for your Master. - Thanks, tommy, for being there for your brothers. - Thanks, tommy, for your service. - Thanks, tommy, for your loyalty. - Thanks, tommy, for your courageous fight even that many times you felt "sick of getting sick". - Thanks, tommy, for the opportunity of being part of your life. - Thanks, tommy, for loving this Master the special way you did.
Being at your bed side with dave and mike was one of the most powerful and overwhelming experience of my lifetime. Seeing you in pain was really hard. But when you finally left surrounded by those who loves you, your mother, sister and brother, your Leather Family and your brothers and sisters from your Lakota spirituality circle, I knew you left happy and full of love. I will never forget our last exchange of words, just minutes before your passing. "tommy, we love you" and you responded "love you too". While being at your bedside to the moment of your last breathe, I realized that the love that you, dave, mike and myself were sharing at that moment is what makes this family strong... it's what this, our Leather Family, is all about. During our stay with your family and friends, we were overwhelmed by their showing appreciation for helping you to have fun during the last year and a half of your life. They all knew how happy you were coming to DC and our family road trips. And with your passing, you left all of us as a strong family, you left us your Mom and siblings, you left is Laura, and Michael and Gen, who feel so strongly being part of us. What a gift you left us with at the very moment of you passing. Then two weeks later, the friends you made through the Leather Family gathered in our home to remember and celebrate your life. you should have been happy looking down at us and seeing how many people really care for you. It was good to have your ashes back in the house, your last trip to the family's home. tommy, you will always live in our hearts, There are memories of you in every single corner of our house, so your presence among us is always strong and vibrant. Still, we miss your smile and your ways. you were so unique and so special, boy. We do not have any other choice but to love you for what you were. My last command to you as my slave is to accept my appointment as our Ambassador before the Almighty and the special Guardian Angel of each member of our family. Daddy loves and misses you so much, boy. Master Taino | 
