Meet Tom Grasso
Tom Grasso was born in San Diego, California (USA) on July 14, 1967, the oldest son of Nancy and Stephen Evans. His family moved back to their roots near Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (USA) while he was still and infant. Within a few years of this move, his brother Stephen, Jr. and sister Nancy, Jr. were born. Tom never had a chance to know his brother, as Stephen, Jr. died shortly after childbirth. Shortly after the younger Nancy’s birth Tom’s parents divorced and Tom’s life would be changed forever.
Tom grew up with his mom and sister in Southern New Jersey until about aged 8 when his mom remarried. Having always been a thinker, Tom has often challenged “conventional” wisdom, and a rebel who often challenged an authority he often sees as “unearned”. Tom has always wanted to know how things work, especially his own mind. An early story Tom remembers is about a constant curiosity about how his flip clock worked. “It bothered me until one day I had no choice, I had to figure out how it worked. I took it apart, and the plates that made up the numbers fell all over the place. I could not figure out how to put it back together so I called it ‘the Humpty Dumpty Clock’. I did my best but the numbers never looked like numbers again. I would learn later that it was a great metaphor for what happens when we deconstruct our lives.”
Tom would find himself creating stories in his head that would often find themselves on paper. “I’ve written all kinds of stories in my life. In my early year, probably at age 12 or so, I wrote a story of autumn from the perspective of a leaf. I rewrote Star Wars, turning Darth Vader into a misunderstood ‘good guy’ who was actually trying to keep some distance between the evil emperor and the galaxy. I wrote poetry, lamented my life condition, sent letters to people I love who I had lost. Writing, for me, became a therapy and a way to express things I didn’t understand or could not reconcile in my life.”
Tom was a 25-year veteran of the volunteer fire service. In that time, he’s seen devastation, disaster and death impact people from all walks of life. “One thing I carry with me is that through all of the mayhem first responders see, it is the first responder themselves that is the constant. In each and every ‘bad’ thing I’ve seen, there has always been a great person ready to help. Some dear friends have given their life in that endeavor, which has always taught me that bad things happen so good people can happen, and that human beings can be both the worst, and the best, of what this Universe has to offer.”
In 2014, Tom had two near-death experiences, one of which was a debilitating stroke that left him blind, unable to walk and with sensory deprivation. Tom began an intensive practice of meditation, visualization and physical therapy having what he was told was a “miraculous recovery.” Though still dealing with some vertigo, Tom enjoys a physical life of hiking, running, biking and any other physical activity he can find.
Today, Tom enjoys life in the mountains, in the forest, along a trail in solitude or with those he loves. He is the proud father of three wonderful beings, a devoted student, a loving warrior whose passion is in protecting the “little guy”. He continues to unravel the layers of his life, exploring even the darkest parts of himself that have created some of his greatest challenges.
“Nearly every dark moment in my adult life I’ve created myself,” he says. “I realized in 2014 that each of those dark moments had enormous value if I had the courage to enter them and the will to understand their lessons. That practice has led me to great healing and the creation of a philosophy I was not born into, but certainly create to, live.”
Tom the Writer
Tom enjoys all styles of writing, including essays, short stories, novels and journalism. He has over 150 articles published by the acclaimed blog Elephant Journal, including the popular article “Why Do You Love Me?“. He has written pieces for Rebelle Society, The Good Men Project, and various other media in both print and web form. Mostly, though, Tom writes for himself on his blog at Tom Grasso, Writer, has a book of poetry available, and is currently working on many projects that fulfill his passion for writing.
Tom is an unschooled writer, instead utilizing natural ability, thoughtfulness and desire to create. “I want to leave bits of myself all over this place. I look at the things I write like stones. Some are pebbles, some are boulders. Some barely disturb the surface of the pond they’re thrown in to, others create big waves. What matter most to me is that I’ve created them, and I’ve left them, and they will outlive me. What also matters to me is that I know that I often have an impact on someone who may pick up that stone. Knowing I can have an impact in just doing what I love means the world to me.”
“I strive to be an original,” Tom continues. “I have never wanted to be trained to write like someone else. I wanted to share original ideas in an original way and stories about paths not forged by others but by the sweat of my own brow.”
Contact Tom
Tom loves to speak in front of crowds, and that come through during many of the presentations and readings Tom has done. His love of people and subject matter, coupled with his passion for experience and life, radiates from him. He can be family-friends or cutting edge depending on the audience, and can easily relate to people and their experiences.
You can email Tom at tomgwriter1967@gmail.com
You can message Tom on Facebook.