Todd Hrabchak

Todd, Toddie, Tawju, The Toddman, Tigger, Toddlet, Tiggy, Tawds, Toddster, Uncle Todd, Uncle Toad, Mr. Hrabchak, my Angel

What a somebody!

Uncle Louis Charney said that anyone who had a nickname was someone who mattered, and that if you had no nickname, you were a nobody. Well, my Todd owned all these names. To me, Todd was everything, my whole world, my reason for living. To others, he was huge, too.

Throughout my life Todd gave and gave and gave some more. He supported me in every way through all my studies to the doctoral level.  He sacrificed for me without complaint, only with joy, pride, delight. On my bike tour adventures, he cheered for me and waited for news in emails and then celebrated with me when I returned home. There was always a special meal awaiting me when I got back.

In this last year, the hardest year of my caregiving role, I learned an important lesson about myself: As Todd's caregiver, I understand fully that I have been honored, privileged, blessed.  I thank the Lord for giving me this gift of being able to be by his side until his last breath, and even a dozen hours later.

Your relationship with Todd is uniquely yours and his. You might remember that Uncle Todd taught you how to fish, and you are still doing it and sharing the joy with others.  Many will recall his beautiful singing voice, that deep baritone. Perhaps you zone in on his generous hosting skills, his culinary talents, his work ethic, his energy, his wit and his sense of humor.  Others will reflect upon his wisdom and his intellect. Todd was bright and beautiful....and these sentiments are the tip of the iceberg of the Toddster. Todd Hrabchak was a star, exceptional, powerful, majestic, brilliant.

Even in his last few days I read to him from a book our niece Chris created, Toddisms. He laughed from the bottom of his guts. Here's one: I got lost on the way home because of that fucking GPS.

Whoever reads this, whoever comments, I know you love me and you love Todd. Thank you for caring. Thank you for your love and support.