Giggle On! is dedicated to my friend Jim.
Jim had his share of troubles but he also loved to be silly. He had an infectious smile and he enjoyed making his friends laugh. He often offered support to his friends when we were feeling down.
In One Life Lost, One Life Saved, I said that the shock of Jim’s passing was a wake up call for me. His death actually saved my life.
In March 2009, the News Journal of Delaware featured an article about me and my friendship with Jim and how I made use of my grief after his death. To read the article click my story (pdf version takes a few moments to load, be patient) and if you are interested, check out the responses I received from around the globe.
This site is a reflection of what Jim tried to accomplish while he was alive – that is – spreading love, laughter and happiness to everyone he met. This site honors his memory, his life and our friendship.
Jim’s obituary is below. It reflects but a small portion of his life but in these words (written by his closest friends, myself included) we tried to honor him. I miss you buddy!
James Karl Thompson “Jim”
Age 35 of Wilmington, DE left this world to be with his Maker on Friday, October 7, 2005.
Born in Ohio, he moved with his family to New Jersey where he lived until 1995.
He came to Wilmington and made many friends while staying at the Salvation Army Adult Rehabilitation Center. He trained as an iron worker and worked out of the Iron Workers Local # 451 until his sudden death.
Jim purchased a 100-year old shell of a house in 2002, and spent much of his free time renovating it. He was passionate about maintaining the historical and architectural integrity, and did most of the work himself – including removing doorways, relocating the bath, upgrading electricity, installing molding and drywall, designing the kitchen, laying bricks and tile, and building a deck. Jim was in the process of painting the exterior five different colors. He participated in the Trinity Vicinity House Tour in September where his multitude of skills won much praise.
Jim could fix anything and would help anybody, stopping work on his own projects to repair theirs. He helped neighbors with broken pipes, leaking roofs, falling drywall and dead car batteries. He installed appliances, hauled the old ones away, repaired broken doors and ran electrical wired for his friends. But all this does not compare to how he made people feel when he was around. His quick smile and friendliness made people feel important and appreciated. While gladly giving of himself, Jim never asked for anything in return. He was a gentleman, and a wonderful friend. He is greatly missed.
In addition to the many friends, Jim also leaves, his father James E. Thompson of Michigan; his mother Pauline Thompson of Cleveland, Ohio; and his sister, Jane Zmarzly and two nieces, Casey and Haley, and two nephews, Samuel and Tucker of Conneaut, Ohio.
Friends may call on the family Friday, October 14 at 1:00 PM at Doherty’s Funeral Home, 1900 Delaware Avenue. A celebration of Jim’s life will begin at 2:00 PM. Friends are encouraged to share their memories and photos of Jim with his family and other friends.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Salvation Army Adult Rehabilitation Center at 107 South Market Street, Wilmington, Delaware 19801.
I miss you buddy!
If you enjoyed this post, make sure you subscribe to my RSS feed!
- a foolish laugh with a short catches of the breath or voice; laughter in an uncontrolled, silly or giddy way; to laugh repeatedly with short spasmodic sounds in a light manner.
8 responses so far ↓
1
Jackie
// Mar 8, 2009 at 10:29 pm
People should be remembered, not by how they died, but by how they lived…and Jim seems to have left many beautiful memories behind. May he rest in peace.
2
Christa
// Mar 8, 2009 at 10:37 pm
Yes Jackie, I agree 150%. Jim was a great guy, as I am sure your brother was too.
Cheers to the good times, the happy memories, the silliness, the laughter and the long talks.
Until we meet our loved ones again…CHEERS and GIGGLE ON!
3
Annie
// Mar 9, 2009 at 9:06 am
AMEN, girls!
Jackie, you are SO RIGHT!
Christa, I love these shots you posted. Surely, Jim is loving them, too.
I’m sorry I never knew him, or Jackie’s brother, and I wish you had known Vinny.
I like to imagine our lost loved ones hanging out together in some paradise (Heaven), and absolutely having a blast (finally) in that realm of peace.
CHEERS to you both, and CHEERS to our beloveds. Giggle ON!!!
4
Lisa
// Mar 30, 2009 at 9:31 pm
Hi Christa, I was so sorry to read of Jim’s passing in Sunday’s paper.
This is going to sound strange, but I knew Jim, only problem is, I can’t remember where from.
As soon as I saw his picture in the paper, I knew who he was and can recall conversations that we had. I got married in 2004 and lost touch with a lot of people that I used to hang out with/talk to. Did Jim ever work and/or hang out at the Bank Shots on Union Street? Because that is where I feel I remember him from.
Again, I am very sorry to learn of his passing.
He did have an infectious smile and when I looked at his profile on your website, there was one picture of him that he’s giving this look and I’ve seen that look before. I had been given that look! It’s kinda the smirky smile look.
God Bless you and I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers.
Sincerely,
Lisa Fawcett
5
Kevin
// Apr 14, 2009 at 7:33 pm
Thank you very much for sharing this. I never knew Jim,yet I still felt touched by reading this. I wish I had known him.
6
Carmela Carlyle
// Sep 20, 2009 at 7:30 pm
Christa, Thank you for sharing your story of Jim. And an even BIGGER SMILE and GIGGLE for the continued work you do to help others survive depression and mental illness. E-Racing the Blues Walk is a huge contribution on your part and I know that Jim will be walking with ya.
Best wishes for a successful event in October. I hope the Laughter Yoga Community comes out to support your important message!
Carmela Carlyle, M.A. RYT.
Certified Laughter Yoga Teacher
San Francisco Bay Area
Carmela Carlyle´s last blog ..Newsletter – September 2009
7
Grief | Using Laughter and Playfulness as an Antidote to Grief | Open to Hope Foundation
// Oct 5, 2009 at 1:13 pm
[...] or, as I say, get their Giggle On! In 2008, I created the web site GiggleOn.com as a tribute to my departed friend, Jim. I was looking for a positive outlet to honor him and our friendship, to cope with my pain, tell my [...]
8
Grief | Another Man Down: Suicide Takes a Second Friend | Open to Hope Foundation
// Nov 3, 2009 at 10:51 am
[...] only is it tragic another man lost his life to suicide, the similarities to the loss of my friend Jim Thompson are [...]
Leave a Comment