Theodore

At 1 AM in the morning on February 25th, 2021, Theodore Hedstrom was taken from the world by a fast-moving house fire. It erupted swiftly and black smog had filled the house in a matter of minutes. The fire marshal suggests his death occurred due to the inhalation of black smoke. Spray-foam insulation when lit on fire burns toxically. Noxious gasses were slowly dispersed into the air. According to the location the body was discovered in and information from the autopsy it appears that he did not wake up and that there was no suffering. This fact has provided relief for my family and many members of the community. We only have today and perhaps not all of today. That reality is so pungent that most wouldn't want to stomach that thought, that those they love could be taken from them in an instant. People wonder what they would or will do when the end of life confronts them either personally or familiarly. All I could think to do was create art and write hysterically. The result is this book. Working with Carla P. White, I have been able to create a fine piece of art that represents a greater issue. Carla recently lost her husband Ned and has provided invaluable insight into the nature of grief-based art. This book is a dedication of poetry and art to my brother Theodore.