Sunday Scribbling - "Chronicles"
A Year of Change 2006
Dave and I decided to take a gamble by buying a dream home near a lake in the mountains, while keeping our current house. We also thought a retirement at age 50 for Dave was attainable, if we sell one house to pay off another by working most weekends on both houses until Aug 2007...HA! It has been a tough year of sacrifice, a bad economy and hard on Dave's body. We chose to live on less to be together for as long as we can, but we are nervous. Caregiving is expensive and with the economy we will have a larger mortgage than expected. We will still make it work, but if we knew what we know now we would have stayed here with financial ease. What's life without adventure and struggle...never boring!
I then had my life changed again by being blessed to watch my first grandson be born. I was told I'd never see my kids graduate, but I've seen so much more. This year was full of his first's and with them I discovered a greater capacity to love. He is now a year old! (See slideshow)
I held the wedding of my first born in the house I raised them both in, as a single mom. It was at sunrise for a new beginning and a preparation of a sad farewell to my home. Both girls are now married...woohoo!
I said a loving farewell to my best friend of seventeen years...my Manny dog.
I was reunited with my only sibling after six years. Besides my girls, he's my only family I really have left. Dad is not around but once a year and mom drowned at 44. So this was huge and yet my family does not discuss my ALS. Oh well, denial is better than nothing.
27 comments:
Deeply touching Tammy. You have experienced more in one year by your own efforts than many put into their entire lives.
Tammy you've had quite an eventful year and your love and positive spirit always shines through. The part missing from your chronicles is your writing your blog, your novel and how you're constantly inspiring us all! xo
Tammy, this is so beautiful and I hope you know, you are an inspiration to me, truly. You always find the positive and even when you've had a tough year, you manage to speak of it with beauty and grace.
This is precisely why you ARE a warrior.
Your tenacity, strong spirit and positive outlook is always so inspiring!!
XOXO
A year filled with challenges met and joys beyond measure. I'm sure 2007 will go above and beyond.
Your chronicles inspire me every day, for you face every bit of your life's story ~ the good and the not so good~ with courage, humor, and grace. We all have so much to learn and gain from knowing you!
We are facing some of the same difficulties with our "dream home," and you've given me a renewed spirit to face the challenges to our dream like a warrior!
Much love xoxo
Wow. There are people who have lots of money and the best health and don't even BEGIN to have the blessings you have. You rock!
And if no one will discuss the ALS, have an ALS party and get everyone together to finally sit down and discuss it. Serve alcohol first, though. lol. Love ya' girlfriend!
Tammy you have also given so much of yourself to people. This year will bring you a new adventure! Love ya Sweetie
What a wonderful chronicle and tribut to those you love. It is the little things that matters most.
"if we knew what we know now we would have ..." Oh, how well do Patti and I know that phrase! And you are so right about life with struggle and adventure. You certainly chronicled extraordinary milestones for the past year. May you know even more for 2007.
Patrick http://journals.aol.com/daddyleer/CaregivinglyYours/
Thank your for sharing your 2006 chronicles with us.
No wonder you have been blessed to be here for all these milestones - your take on everything is so positive and hopeful!
Whew! What a rollercoaster year - it was for us, too. But here's to a new year and new beginnings. BTW, that slide show is too precious for words!
XOXO
Oh - and notice I can see you now? I just needed to scroll way down - doh! Don't know why I didn't try that before, lol.
What a year!
Oh Tammy, I just love you to pieces:) You never fail to put a smile on my face. Yur positive attitude is contagious.
Love you!!
Georgia
What a year!
Oh Tammy, I just love you to pieces:) You never fail to put a smile on my face. Yur positive attitude is contagious.
Love you!!
Georgia
So much in such a short time. Life is always an adventure into the unknown and you handle it all so well. Coping when you have to, celebating when you can. You see your glass as half full rather than half empty and inspire so many, me included.
You have been through a lot but you survived. Glad for you. HUGS!
Sweet Child!
gautami
rooted.
Such a busy busy year, but you only have a little over the half of this one until you'll be relaxing in your retirement home. I can't wait to come see it all finished. TK is getting to be such a big big boy. So cute, too!
Hugs,
Jolene
WowZZZzzzzAAaaaaa! What a year! Can't wait to seeeeeeeee you two in your retirement home with your feet propped up eating red licorice by the lake altho that home looks like it would be hard to leave with all those views and all! xo, Cinda
Congratulations on your second home! And thanks for visiting my site, I really appreciated your comments :)
oh hon, thank you for your chronicles ... sending you much love ...
Hugs to you sweet Tammy. Love the chronicles, and the pictures.
Hope you have a nice rest of the week,
Heather
WOW, it sounds like you are having a majorly life-changing year! I agree that it's better to take risks (i'm buying a home at the moment too) than to always wonder "what if".
Oh! I just saw The Lovely Bones on your sidebar... what'd ya think of it? I read it recently too!
This HAS been a year for you! I hope the next one brings some more good things, and less of anything that brings you stress.
This might be the year we are able to buy a house, but I feel bad for those of you who got caught in it. ;)
:)
Tammy-
What a year!
I so dream of a house on a lake in the mountains. You truly are an adventurer and dreamer which is why your life is so rich-and what a great role model you are for your children.
I am just now appreciating all the lessons my mother taught me-now that I am a mother myself.
I feel so honored to know you.
Hugs and love
tammy, your life is so rich, so full, and so loving -- you make it so by being the open, shining spirit you are. I loved this post. Came a little late to it, but it still rings fresh. I can never see your photos of Manny or read what you write about your sweet dog companion - -without getting all teary. sigh. I hope you're well and enjoying your new home soon.
maureen
Hi Tammy,
Poignant post. My tissues are out.
Losing your mom to an accident is a hard enough goodbye , but also facing age 44 recently according to your blog profile, must have been very hard. remembering...
Your triumph of actively being in that 1% of ALS survivors is more than enough reason to enjoy the house of your dreams. Ahhhhh! Sounds delightful.
I'm glad you were able to reunite with your brother. Each wonderful event, from the daily to special occassions like the marriages of your daughters for you to witness, warm my heart to read. That slideshow of your grandson is awesome!
(I joined S. Scribblings the week of "chronicles" but couldn't get around to all of the participants. Glad I found your blog.)
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