Thomas Vorce Handloser
Photographer & Poet (1943 - 2011)
by Margaret Wakeley

Early in 2009, Thomas Vorce Handloser wrote to us at Gratefulness.org to tell us about a photography show he was having in Santa Fe, New Mexico, and how his work was inspired by Brother David Steindl-Rast.

“I am a chronically afflicted senior citizen and I read Gratefulness the Heart of Prayer every morning when I wake up (I am on my fourth time reading)…. My black and white photos are inspired by the monastic life and I visit the Benedictine monks hear in Pecos, NM…you can see how Brother David has inspired me.”

That first introduction to Thomas’ art was a revelation to me; I was totally moved by his stunning capture of light, shadow, and form in his photos.   I asked his permission to use a photo or two for e-cards on our site, which he graciously granted.  Then we discovered his poems and knew it would be a gift to our visitors if we included one in our poetry collection.  Through the next few years, we communicated about his work, and Thomas wrote that his health was not good.  However, he was producing more photos, placing them in significant places, and in my mind, he was at the pinnacle of his creative life.

Then I stumbled upon this powerful and moving video in the spring of 2011 and learned that Thomas was actively dying...but living more fully than he could ever have imagined. A life of giving and purpose, infused with his art and deep gratitude.

A GOOD DAY TO DIE

Ah!
To have lived and died
In the time of gratitude.

There were no cell phones then.
People seemed to enjoy
Meeting face to face.
In fact, they often embraced.

And they were not ashamed
Of their faith.
Gratitude was in
The air you breathed.

Sunsets painted all the houses
And not just those who
Had the view on the hill.

There was time for timelessness.
You could feel it in your solar plexus
And not the pit of your stomach.

It was referred to as 'charming'
By the operatic, and 'wholesome'
to those who were unsuspecting.

From sunrise to sunset
There was nothing to covet.
Naïve and innocent,
They went from the cradle
To the grave buoyed by
Their shared affections.

That's why I moved here.

- Thomas Vorce

Thomas died on August 10, 2011.  He leaves us with a bounty of art and poetry that are reminders of the timeless gifts at our fingertips.

Thomas' work can be seen at WEBSTER COLLECTION, 54 1/2 Lincoln Ave., on the Plaza and on permanent display at Christus St. Vincent's Hospital in Santa Fe, NM, and online at www.thomasvorce.com.