As part of Lutheran West’s Homecoming festivities, Tom Zink (’64), author and speaker, was a wonderful addition to our weekend. Tom, now a resident of North Bay, Ontario has been on tour promoting his first book, Seasoned: A Memoir of Grief and Grace and paused to visit his Alma Mater. With over 40 in attendance, a number of his classmates joined us for a ‘speaker talk’ in the Thrivent Multi Media Room at Lutheran West. Tom’s memoir focuses on his older brother, Steve, who was a junior at LHSW when he died in 1961. Favorite excerpts from the book were read by Tom. Personal stories of Steve, seasoned with laughter as well as with tears, were shared by Tom and Steve’s classmates. It was a journey down memory lane, hearing of the Zink’s family home in Lakewood, the shenanigans of brothers growing up, a family grieving the loss (of son and brother) and also of Tom and his family continuing on without Steve. This touching memoir shows a brother’s trials of growing up without his older brother but at the same time is very encouraging as you see Tom learn how to gracefully carry on. Music is a central to Tom’s life. He topped off the afternoon by singing his original song, “Good Enough for Me.” Our alumni gave a spirited effort as they participated in the sing-along parts.
All proceeds from the sale of Tom’s book will go towards the Stephen A. Zink scholarship fund at Lutheran West. The book, Seasoned: A Memoir of Grief and Grace, is now available. To find out more about the book, including how to order copies or to get in touch with Tom, go to www.tomzink.ca.
Here is a synopsis of the book:
Tom Zink was born in a blizzard in 1947, a child of winter. Seasoned: A Memoir of Grief and Grace is the story of Tom’s unwitting grief journey of five decades, that begins when his older brother Steve is hit by a car and killed while on the paper route the two boys shared. It’s the story of a conservative German Lutheran family, and the ways the parents and surviving children protect each other in loss, with a silent acceptance that does not serve them in the long run. Tom buries his grief along with his brother, so he can carry on with his life. His career after high school takes him around the world, across the country, and back again.
It is only after Tom is married and a father of two teenaged sons that, in a moment of profound grace, he realizes the depth and importance of his loss. His faith and new-found desire, as an adult, to process Steve’s death takes Tom full circle, back to his brother’s grave. But this is not merely a story of grief and recovery; it is also a poignant and, at times, humorous look at laughter and lightheartedness, winning and losing, and doubt and faith.