🌸 A Birthday to Remember
This photo captures one of the happiest moments — my beautiful mom on her 84th birthday, surrounded by family, love, and laughter. That day, her smile lit up the entire room, as it always did. She was so proud to be a mother to six children; nothing made her happier than being close to family.
After a lifetime of love, sacrifice, and nurturing, she found a special joy when we moved to Oregon, closer to nieces, nephews, and the family who adored her. In these final years, we saw her at her happiest: laughing, hugging, and soaking up every moment with those who loved her most.
She wasn't just my mom — she was my best friend, strength, and safe place. Even after facing my own challenges, moving back home after my spinal cord injury, she welcomed me without hesitation. Together, we built a life in Santa Cruz and a new chapter in Oregon where her light could shine even brighter. She passed away on January 19, 2023.
Today, and every day, we miss her more than words could ever say. Her kindness, her gentle laughter, and her endless love remain woven into everything we do. Her spirit dances through every family gathering, every story shared, and every rose blooming in the garden.
We wish she were still here to celebrate with us, but we know she's down, proud, and full of love.
Always loved. Always missed. Always with us.
💛🌸 Happy Heavenly Birthday, Mom. We love you forever.
Healing Tools: Honoring Your Journey
💛 Reminder/Affirmation Sheet
- I did the best I could with the tools I had.
- My instincts were never wrong; I just wasn't getting the signals.
- Confusion was not my failure — it was the environment I grew up in.
- I am learning healthy, joyful communication every day.
- I deserve clarity, kindness, and connection.
- It is safe for me to trust myself now.
- I am proud of how far I have come.
- Healing is not linear, and I am right on time.
📨 Gentle Letter to Your Mom
Dear Mom,
I know you carried pain you didn't want to name. I know your heart wanted connection, even when your actions pushed it away. I forgive you for the confusion and sadness your struggles brought into my life.
I honor the good you gave me, even when hidden beneath fear or frustration. I understand now that your "no" was "of" fear, and your anger was often sadness.
I am learning to build the clear, kind life we both deserve. I release you from my confusion. I release myself from feeling like I had to guess.
I carry forward your strength and stubbornness to survive, turning it into love, clarity, and trust.
Thank you for the life you gave me.
I will live it fully, with love in my heart.
Love always, Tammie Lou.
🌟 Personal Growth Chart
Growth Area | Where I Started | Where I Am Now |
Trusting my instincts | I second-guessed myself constantly | I am learning to trust my first instincts |
Understanding emotions | Emotions felt confusing and unsafe | I am learning emotions are signals, not dangers |
Setting boundaries | I feared disappointing others | I am practicing clear, kind boundaries |
Speaking my needs | I stayed silent to avoid upsetting others | I am learning to speak my needs calmly and bravely |
Loving myself | I felt responsible for others' others' | am learning I deserve love without conditions |
You are doing beautifully, Tammie Lou. You are your ancestorancestors', kindest dream.
Hi friends, old and new —
It's beeIt'slittle while since I've wriI've here, but oh, what a journey it's beeit'sife took some unexpected turns, including a big move, new surroundings, fresh challenges, and some deeply personal growth. And through it all… I've nevI'vetopped dreaming, hoping, and planning for the life I want to live — a life on wheels, yes, but fully lived.
This blog is my view from the chair.
The one I sit in as I watch my pups play, plan out my dream home, sip tea under string lights, or write a new chapter in my book (yep, that's hthat'sng!).
It's alsIt'sere I share stories — the kind that make you laugh, cry, think, and feel seen.
Since I last posted, I've staI've a support group called Life on Wheels, reclaimed my space and independence, and made big plans for a home that's mthat'so be lived in — rustic wood, sage and coral walls, big love, and even bigger dreams.
So here I am — rolling back in with a heart full of gratitude, a head full of ideas, and two dogs (Dude and Kona) who might just photobomb every post from here on out.
I've misI'vethis space. I've misI'veyou. And I'm so rI'my for what's nwhat's
Let's roLet's
I have not written in my blog for over two years.
I was watching a movie, and three guys broke into this man's homan'sHis wife and daughter were there, and they wanted to get his safe information and all of his credit cards. The guy resisted, so the robbers smacked him in the face with their guns, and the homeowner started bleeding badly. His hands were tied behind his back, and his nose started bleeding, so the nice robber took a napkin and wiped off his face… The thief was nice enough to spit on the cleanex and wipe his nose. It reminded me of when my mom used to do the same thing when my face got messy. I never thought it was much cleaner after she did that.