September 27th, 2011

Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. James 1:17

What a blessing today brought for me! I was invited by a sweet and Godly sister to share my story to a group of wonderful woman. Every time I get the opportunity to do this I always leave with my heart feeling a less heavy. There is definitely healing that comes with sharing your story with others. I am very thankful for those times.

I continue to receive so many incredibly encouraging stories and comments on this blog, as well as my care taking articles on SML (Shannon Miller Lifestyle). Thank you so much! It really means so much to me.

Many times I write the SML articles many weeks in advance and often forget which one is coming up. This weeks was a very important one to me. It is called "The Kids" and it offers some helpful ways on how to communicate with your kids during this difficult time as you play the role of parent and caretaker.

This weeks article as well as many other of my caretaking articles can be found at the link below:

http://shannonmillerlifestyle.com/my-journey/the-kids

Thank you for your continued support.

Blessings,

Tammy

September 23th, 2011

Autumn blessings everyone! Although if you live in sunny, humid Florida, your not feeling those brisk temperatures just yet. Nevertheless, according to the calendar, the Fall season has officially begun. I love fall, it is really my favorite time of year.

Fall for our family has always meant decorating with some old favorites that have been passed down throughout the years, and one or two new items that I will always throw in just to spruce things up a bit. A change in the weather will bring out the baking bug in me , and our house will begin to fill up with the aroma of something yummy almost daily. The windows slightly cracked open to let that cool breeze blow in. I am actually looking forward to the change.

Fall this year for me feels not only like a change in the season, but a change in my life as I continue to take on new ventures, spread my wings more and more, regain that confidence that I once had, watch my son transition into adulthood, and doing life all on my own! Well, that's not entirely true, I know God provides me with the inner strength that I get daily to do all of this.

As time goes on I realize how much of "me" I had lost along the way. I remember saying many times last year how "I missed the old me." But now little by little I can feel God restoring things in me that I thought I had lost forever. He is creating a new and improved "me" as only He can.

I want to be able to encourage those of you who have watched through tearful eyes the battles in my life and see the miracle of how God can begin to restore and rebuild when we put our hope and faith in Him. So many around me are facing battles of their own with sickness, finances, divorce and even the death of a loved one. Know that you are loved, prayed for, and even though it may feel like it at times, your never alone.

You too will have the opportunity to learn to live again, and there will be times you will be scared and unsure of what the future holds for you, but the Lord will never leave you nor forsake you (Hebrews 13:5). He will reveal to you an inner strength you never knew you had.

With a heart full of thankfulness,

Tammy

September 20th, 2011

New article on "Baby Steps." Taking those steps to get back into the main stream of life can be difficult and exhausting, and taking them slowly can help you do it without feeling so overwhelmed.

In this article I offer some tips on how to help make that transition a little easier.

http://shannonmillerlifestyle.com/my-journey/8838


Thank you so much friends and have a blessed day!


Tammy

September 15th, 2011

Lately, it seems like I been doing a lot reflecting about so many of the small things that I never expected to miss in my life. I feel a little naive that I actually even thought that way. What may have seemed so small and insignificant a couple of years ago, feels so big when it unexpectedly grabs a hold of my heart.

I miss just sitting on the couch in the evenings with my man, snuggling up so close to him and having that comfort of feeling so protected. I often said Nick was not only my husband, but my best friend and I miss being able to share my secrets with him. I miss having that person to take care of me when I am sick or just being there to talk to when I need to vent or need some advice. I miss having that person that would be in my corner no matter what! Nick was definitely my warrior!

You see it's the small things that you remember when someone is gone. Things that money or status can't give you. That close connection with another human being that you love, admire and long to be with. The simple, everyday things that most of us don't think twice about until we are faced with not having them in our life anymore.

What used to sound so cliche" to me, makes so much sense to me now. All those things we have all heard before. Don't take the people you love for granted. Take time to live, laugh and love with those that mean the most to you. Treasure those moments snuggling with your spouse and your kids.

I do feel like I have a new found appreciation for the smaller things in life now. I love just sitting with my son talking, laughing big and just watching him grow into the remarkable young man that God wants him to be. I just want to soak up every moment of it, because soon he will be venturing off to the next phase of his own journey. I try and take each thing that God blesses me with and bask in it. Notice I said I try! It's not always easy for me to slow down. Even though I will occasionally reflect on and miss the "small" things my choice is not to dwell in them, but instead be thankful for the abundant life that God has so graciously blessed me with now.

Family and friends that love, pray for, and encourage me are the "big things" in my heart and in my life.


“Enjoy the little things, for one day you may look back and realize they were the big things.” -Robert Brault
(in my opinion one of the best and truest quotes ever!)


Much Love and Many Blessings,

Tammy

September 13th, 2011

Being terminally ill can have an impact on finances. Check out my latest article on Shannon Miller Lifestyles/My Journey for some helpful information on things you can do to try and get through the ups and downs financially.
http://shannonmillerlifestyle.com/my-journey/caretakers-financial

Thank you for your support!

Tammy :)

September 9th, 2011

I am so excited to be able to share some wonderful news with you all!

I am now officially part of the Shannon Miller Lifestyle team. This is another big step on my "learning to live" journey. So many of you have been in prayer for the doors of opportunity to continue to be opened for me and my family and I want to say "thank you!"

In addition to the "My Journey" articles that I have been writing for SML, I will now be writing on a variety of topics that will be posted on the Shannon Miller Lifestyle website. I will be sharing them with you all along the way as articles are posted. I will continue to write on my own personal blog as well. Most of you know that my heart lies within the words on the "Learning to Live" blog.

I am hoping to soon have a professional Facebook page up and running that will encompass all of these components so it will make it easier for all to read and comment.

My friends and family have been an immense support to me and I look forward to having you all stay right beside as I continue on with this new venture. I always pray for God to direct my steps on His path and I feel He is doing just that. There is so much I still have on my heart to share and I believe the Lord will continue to provide me with the platform to do so. I continue to give Him all the honor, glory and praise for the blessings in my life.

My faith, family and friends.....three things I could never do without!

Stay tuned....more to come!

Blessings,

Tammy

September 6th, 2011

Grieving can be a different process for everyone. Cling to the things that are most important. Faith, family, and friends can pull you from any pit. Check out my latest article "Getting Through" at Shannon Miller Lifestyle/My Journey.

Thank you!!

Tammy

September 5th, 2011

I was doing a little back porch cleaning earlier today, hoping that soon I would be able to sit out there as the weather begins to cool down a bit. As I was sweeping, I looked down and saw a pair of slipper's that Nick used to wear on those brisk mornings that he would sit outside having his coffee and reading his Bible.

I thought today is the day I will get rid of these, after all they were so old and worn out, but just for a moment I slid them on. They may have been old and faded, but they felt warm and comfortable, it reminded me so much of our times on that back porch. Our longs talks, all the tears and laughter we had shared. It is wild how one little thing like a pair of dirty old slippers can bring on a flood of emotions so quickly.

I took them off and sat them aside as I continued my cleaning, only now with a big lump in my throat. As I was finishing up, I thought, "Why would I have such a hard time parting with a pair of old slippers? Is it what they represented to me now? Is it because I cannot bare throwing anything of his away?" Maybe a little of both.

As I write this through the tears I now realize that those slippers represented a lot of memories, many great ones and some very painful as Nick wore them a lot when he was ill. I knew that getting rid of a pair of slippers was not going to take away any memory I had stored away in my heart, and that just maybe throwing away that old pair of worn shoes would be a good step for me to take in continuing to heal and move forward. So, as hard as it was, I did it.

I know in my heart I don't need "things" to keep Nick's memory alive. He lives on through his children, and through the many countless lives that he touched during his time here and I know without a doubt his memory is kept alive through the words I write.

Thank you for letting me share my heart with you. Each blog that I write like this helps me to move forward on my journey in "Learning to Live."

Blessings Always,

Tammy