The blank page awaits me again. The last one was here a year ago. It was the day after I had spent the night in the ER. I was driving home from a women’s ministry event and the weight of all that was happening around me finally took me down. I was as close to a mental breakdown as one could be. I was stressed, exhausted, miserable, dehydrated and done. Instead of staying in the hospital for three days like the doctor suggested I chose to walk out and do whatever it took to get my life back under control. That next morning, I was here. . .staring at the blank page. As a writer, the blank page is something I am very comfortable with but this time it was completely different. The words that would end up on that page would reveal all the pain that had led me to the ER and what I was willing to do to deal with it and move forward. That blank page would become a letter to myself and in time would prove to have been one of the most important pieces I had ever written.
Thankfully, this blank page that awaits me today isn’t here because of a trip to the ER. It isn’t here because of things that I need to deal with about my past nor is it here to help me deal with pain or heartache. This blank page has nothing to do with my past. It has everything to do with my future. I don’t have to look behind me anymore. My past is what it is. Nothing I can do, nothing I can feel, nothing I can say or write will change it and for the first time in my life, that’s ok with me. It’s mine. . .all of it. The good and the bad, the happy and the sad. . .all mine forever just the way it is. It’s done but I’m not!
I suppose that realizing that should have come to me much sooner than now. Perhaps for some of you, this seems a little crazy that I hadn’t known that all along. And maybe for the rest of you, you just got that like I did. It is what it is or maybe I should say, “It was what it was.” Embrace it. Own it. Deal with it and move forward. Let today hold for you all the possibilities that are before you not all the things that are behind you. I plan on doing just that. May the blank page that awaits me today reveal the desires of my heart and may it move me confidently in the direction of all my hopes and dreams for the rest of my tomorrows.
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
A Special Thank You
It's been a year since I've been here. My life may not have been interrupted but my blogs sure have!!! It's crazy how fast time flies by. This last year was one of the best years of my life and it came on the heels of my worst one. In the summer of 2008, I lost my father and my 19-year marriage. One week after my last post, I ended up in the ER suffering from a nervous breakdown. The week after that, I showed up on the doorstep of an old friend and for the next 10 months he held me. He held me until I was strong enough to continue on. He gave me a soft place to land, a safe place to rest and a sweet place to recover. I fell in love with him. I fell in love with him the minute he opened his door on a chilly, October night almost a year ago.
My daddy is the one who taught me how to dream but this man was the one who made me realize that my dreams - the dreams I hold deep inside me - would all come true because he was a part of one of the biggest dreams I had. As a hopeless romantic, I believed that a true, pure love was possible and he gave that to me. He gave me a lot and because of that I'm here tonight and ready for what this next year holds for me. For that, and so much more, I want to tell him thank you!
We all have special people who come along that impact our journeys forever, he was one of mine. Tonight, as I am writing this, I am wondering who you'll be thinking about. Who was one of the people who was or is a part of your life that made you feel like every dream you'd ever had would someday come true?
If you have a minute, please share your story with us. . .
My daddy is the one who taught me how to dream but this man was the one who made me realize that my dreams - the dreams I hold deep inside me - would all come true because he was a part of one of the biggest dreams I had. As a hopeless romantic, I believed that a true, pure love was possible and he gave that to me. He gave me a lot and because of that I'm here tonight and ready for what this next year holds for me. For that, and so much more, I want to tell him thank you!
We all have special people who come along that impact our journeys forever, he was one of mine. Tonight, as I am writing this, I am wondering who you'll be thinking about. Who was one of the people who was or is a part of your life that made you feel like every dream you'd ever had would someday come true?
If you have a minute, please share your story with us. . .
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
New Orleans Day 3
There are so many things that I want to share with you about the trip. I don't even know where to start. Maybe I should begin with the amazing woman who invited me to New Orleans in the first place? Without her, this trip would not have happened and I owe her so much. Nancy Lee met me at the NAWIC Regional Convention in Tunica this past April where I was invited to speak. This summer Nancy called me and asked if I would come to NOLA in the fall. Neither one of us realized it at the time but her invitation would be what kept my dreams within my reach during the most difficult time in my life. It was if God had handed her a rope, told her to hold on and then He wrapped it around me so, that as my life was once again tossed around, me and my dreams would survive. This trip to New Orleans is the foundation on which God will fulfill His purpose for me and forever, Nancy and the entire NAWIC Chapter #339, will be a sweet reminder of how good God is. Nancy, thank you. NAWIC Chapter #339, thank you. I will never forget and when I come through with Wynonna, on my way to the SuperDome, we are going to stop by and pick all of you up and you'll be front and center for it all!
Deb, Melanie and my Kasey, (affectionately known as my crew), I will never travel alone. You made this moment in my life so unforgettable. I love you so very much and I am so thankful that God saw fit to rearrange my plans so that I wouldn't have to do this alone. Laurie, (my new best friend), you made sure that there would be no pressure on me at all (not!). I hope that the time we shared together made a difference. I hope that there are more great moments in your life and less stressful ones. I hope that you know what a difference meeting you made in my life. Oh, and I love my bracelet! Thank you.
Tonight, I am back home, sitting at my desk, so thankful for the trip, the women, the laughs and the memories. My NOLA road trip was exactly what I needed. Start to finish, I loved it all (ok, except for the Bourbon Street thing). Y'all take care. Keep reading your passion cards. Keep enjoying your days. I'll see you along with my crew again soon - we'll probably be on Wynonna's bus! Nancy stay by that phone - soon as I hear from her - NAWIC Chapter #339 will be the first to know - thank you again for everything. You ladies rocked my world!!!
I love you all!
Save NOLA!!!
Good night.
See some of our New Orleans pictures at www.myspace.com/tammy.king
Also, you've got to check out Ron & Nancy Lee's website http://www.ronleehomes.com/
and if you are in the New Orleans area, please get involved with NAWIC Chapter #339!
Deb, Melanie and my Kasey, (affectionately known as my crew), I will never travel alone. You made this moment in my life so unforgettable. I love you so very much and I am so thankful that God saw fit to rearrange my plans so that I wouldn't have to do this alone. Laurie, (my new best friend), you made sure that there would be no pressure on me at all (not!). I hope that the time we shared together made a difference. I hope that there are more great moments in your life and less stressful ones. I hope that you know what a difference meeting you made in my life. Oh, and I love my bracelet! Thank you.
Tonight, I am back home, sitting at my desk, so thankful for the trip, the women, the laughs and the memories. My NOLA road trip was exactly what I needed. Start to finish, I loved it all (ok, except for the Bourbon Street thing). Y'all take care. Keep reading your passion cards. Keep enjoying your days. I'll see you along with my crew again soon - we'll probably be on Wynonna's bus! Nancy stay by that phone - soon as I hear from her - NAWIC Chapter #339 will be the first to know - thank you again for everything. You ladies rocked my world!!!
I love you all!
Save NOLA!!!
Good night.
See some of our New Orleans pictures at www.myspace.com/tammy.king
Also, you've got to check out Ron & Nancy Lee's website http://www.ronleehomes.com/
and if you are in the New Orleans area, please get involved with NAWIC Chapter #339!
Monday, October 13, 2008
New Orleans Day 2 - I LOVE NOLA!
I woke up this morning excited about Day 2 here in New Orleans. We left the hotel around 10am headed to the French Quarter area of the city. We went over the lake, through the city and down to Bourbon Street. Hmmm, still not real sure what I thought it was going to be like but let's just say I was ready to go up from Bourbon Street, through the city and back over the lake about an hour after we got there. I'm still trying to figure all that out. Don't let that influence your decision to head over there though or not until you hear this. Something really funny did happen there and I was able to make a memory in the French Quarter area that I'll never forget.
When we pulled in to park, Melanie mentioned that they used to have a big aquarium nearby and she said that it was damaged in Katrina and she wasn't sure if it had been reopened. As I walked up and down the streets, I kept noticing something on T-shirts and bumper stickers and even on some of the windows. (Now you are reading this and you're going to know exactly what this means but follow along for just a minute because I had no clue.) I kept seeing things like I LOVE NOLA and SAVE NOLA and I promise you, I didn't know what that meant. I finally decided, being the intelligent person I am, that it must have been a big fish or something that they had in the aquarium (kinda like the save the whales thing) but I couldn't understand why there was no picture of NOLA on anything. I thought that was a little strange but I kept thinking that they really must have loved her.
At lunch, I meant to ask my friends who NOLA was but I forgot. Then, as we were pulling out to leave, it hit me. Don't know why or how but I suddenly realized that NOLA meant New Orleans, Louisiana and I felt so stupid. I really thought NOLA was a lost fish. Isn't that crazy??? I swear sometimes I wonder how I've made it this far...a fish? Oh, man!
We got back to the hotel about 3:30 and got ready to go to our dinner with the amazing women from NAWIC Chapter 339. I shared my I LOVE NOLA story with them - I think just so they would know that if I can "launch" my life, anyone can! Being here with them has been one of the most incredible things that has ever happened to me. I hope that every one of them know how honored and humbled I feel to have had the opportunity to share this part of my journey with them. Incredible women. Incredible dreams. Thank you for letting me share this evening with you. I can't wait to see all of you again in the morning. Did Nancy really mean 8:30??? Maybe I should take a nap!
Oh, by the way, I LOVE NOLA, too!!! Good night.
(see the New Orleans photo album at www.myspace.com/tammy.king)
When we pulled in to park, Melanie mentioned that they used to have a big aquarium nearby and she said that it was damaged in Katrina and she wasn't sure if it had been reopened. As I walked up and down the streets, I kept noticing something on T-shirts and bumper stickers and even on some of the windows. (Now you are reading this and you're going to know exactly what this means but follow along for just a minute because I had no clue.) I kept seeing things like I LOVE NOLA and SAVE NOLA and I promise you, I didn't know what that meant. I finally decided, being the intelligent person I am, that it must have been a big fish or something that they had in the aquarium (kinda like the save the whales thing) but I couldn't understand why there was no picture of NOLA on anything. I thought that was a little strange but I kept thinking that they really must have loved her.
At lunch, I meant to ask my friends who NOLA was but I forgot. Then, as we were pulling out to leave, it hit me. Don't know why or how but I suddenly realized that NOLA meant New Orleans, Louisiana and I felt so stupid. I really thought NOLA was a lost fish. Isn't that crazy??? I swear sometimes I wonder how I've made it this far...a fish? Oh, man!
We got back to the hotel about 3:30 and got ready to go to our dinner with the amazing women from NAWIC Chapter 339. I shared my I LOVE NOLA story with them - I think just so they would know that if I can "launch" my life, anyone can! Being here with them has been one of the most incredible things that has ever happened to me. I hope that every one of them know how honored and humbled I feel to have had the opportunity to share this part of my journey with them. Incredible women. Incredible dreams. Thank you for letting me share this evening with you. I can't wait to see all of you again in the morning. Did Nancy really mean 8:30??? Maybe I should take a nap!
Oh, by the way, I LOVE NOLA, too!!! Good night.
(see the New Orleans photo album at www.myspace.com/tammy.king)
New Orleans Day 1
It is 12:20 in the morning. I left my house about 12 hours ago and am in New Orleans to speak about Ladies Who Launch and to present a Passion Test Workshop to some amazing women. I was invited to come by the NAWIC Chapter and can hardly wait to finally meet them all.
Tonight, my traveling buddies are sleeping and I get to take a moment to think about the trip we've just made. For those of you who have read my first book, you know that I can find a lesson in just about everything and this trip was no different today. Here are a few things that I learned in the last twelve hours that I hope to never forget:
1. Daughters are a blessing (My Kasey is here with me) & friends make everything more fun (My Deb and Melanie are here with me)
2. Sometimes you don't get to leave when you wanted too.
3. The Southaven Walmart is extremely busy on Sunday afternoons.
4. Everybody needs a rest area every now and then.
5. A GPS system becomes horribly addicting after the first use.
6. A familiar scent can transport you to a happy place instantly. (trust me)
7. Expect unexpected stops along the way.
8. Starbucks coffee cup bottoms can just fall out and get you really, really wet.
9. When yo' momma is callin' you betta answer da phone.
and
10. Every day is like a road trip so pay attention, buckle up and enjoy the ride!
I am in a different place today than I was yesterday and tomorrow will be no different. When I lay down tonight, this day's trip will come to an end. In the morning, it's a whole new adventure. Whether good, bad or indifferent, the new day will take me a little farther on my life's journey and I'll be back to share it with you from the Marriot in Mandeville, LA!
To the National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC) Chapter 339,
Thank you for inviting me to come and thank you for being a part of my journey. It is my prayer that my visit not only encourages you to be more passionate about the journey you're on but also helps you to pay attention, buckle up and enjoy the ride that each new day brings!
Good night.
(see the New Orleans photo album at www.myspace.com/tammy.king)
Tonight, my traveling buddies are sleeping and I get to take a moment to think about the trip we've just made. For those of you who have read my first book, you know that I can find a lesson in just about everything and this trip was no different today. Here are a few things that I learned in the last twelve hours that I hope to never forget:
1. Daughters are a blessing (My Kasey is here with me) & friends make everything more fun (My Deb and Melanie are here with me)
2. Sometimes you don't get to leave when you wanted too.
3. The Southaven Walmart is extremely busy on Sunday afternoons.
4. Everybody needs a rest area every now and then.
5. A GPS system becomes horribly addicting after the first use.
6. A familiar scent can transport you to a happy place instantly. (trust me)
7. Expect unexpected stops along the way.
8. Starbucks coffee cup bottoms can just fall out and get you really, really wet.
9. When yo' momma is callin' you betta answer da phone.
and
10. Every day is like a road trip so pay attention, buckle up and enjoy the ride!
I am in a different place today than I was yesterday and tomorrow will be no different. When I lay down tonight, this day's trip will come to an end. In the morning, it's a whole new adventure. Whether good, bad or indifferent, the new day will take me a little farther on my life's journey and I'll be back to share it with you from the Marriot in Mandeville, LA!
To the National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC) Chapter 339,
Thank you for inviting me to come and thank you for being a part of my journey. It is my prayer that my visit not only encourages you to be more passionate about the journey you're on but also helps you to pay attention, buckle up and enjoy the ride that each new day brings!
Good night.
(see the New Orleans photo album at www.myspace.com/tammy.king)
Thursday, September 25, 2008
I'm glad you're here!
Welcome to Life Uninterrupted! A place where we'll look at life together - the good & the bad and the laughter & the pain. This blog begins on the heels of one of the hardest but most amazing years of my life. My first post comes on the day that a year ago my dad woke up from an 8 day coma following two terrible strokes. From that day on until today, I watched my hero defy medical odds to give his family the most precious few months they had ever had with him. My dad spent 60 days in the hospital, 40 days in rehab and several months at home preparing us all for what was inevitable. My daddy passed away on July 29th and I wanted time to stop. I wanted a pause button for my life. I found that there isn't one and that no matter what is going on around you life goes on uninterrupted. That's where the name came from and that's why I'm here. Let's start this journey together and watch where it takes us. I'm glad you're here for Life Uninterrupted!
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