Oh, my dear, sweet Tammie, brimming with laughter and tears,
You wore your heart, on your sleeve, So kind, generous and vulnerable.
We met when we worked together, at the Kingsway & would often take off at lunch time,
in your black, sporty car, Aerosmith blaring and us two, daft fools,
Singing along as we drove to your place on Stoney Brook,
With that massive great dog, whose name eludes me now.
The pool that you loved in the backyard, Your world complete.
You had your big strapping Paul, who drove you nuts (as husband's do)
Your two beautiful children, Cassidy and Taylor, Your brother, Drew, was driving truck
back then and you would be So excited if he was stopping by.
You couldn't wait to get home after work to be with
Your family – the center of your world, your home – your castle,
We both moved on, in our careers, but our friendship did not end.
We both experienced set backs in Life circumstances & serious health issues.
I will never forget how you so genuinely tried to help me to find a job,
When I was out of work.
I'll never forget living downtown and taking the subway uptown,
To meet you for lunches and a good natter.
Even then, you were having trouble walking from the GO bus to the office,
But, you wanted to provide for your family, so you pushed through the pain.
You liked being a BI Adjuster and you excelled at it!
You called me in the morning when Paul had died. I came right away to be with you
That night, neither you nor I slept. We talked and talked, cried, giggled & laughed. Oh,
The memories we shared! Growing up in Winnipeg, the English nanny you had when you were a kid, how she would waste nothing, but she did make the best fish and chips you ever tasted.
Teenage antics, living in Port Credit. Meeting Paul and then having your two beautiful children.
Of course, you were so concerned how Cassidy and Taylor would adjust to losing their dad.
You were so down after Paul's death and one Saturday I took you along to my weekly visit to my mum and dad's for lunch, they were both in there 80's then, gentle, fun people of faith and so wise. I left you
For a time with mum for a chat and as we left, mum gave you a little something. When we got into the
Car, you started to cry, and I thought you were sad, no, you felt overwhelmed at the kindness of "strangers". They were not strangers after that first visit. My mum was blind at that time, and would pray, by name, for every person she met or knew to need comfort every evening, at bed time.
It's been almost two years since my mum died. In her final days, she was hospitalized for a short time.
I slept beside her at the hospital and one night, she started to pray, by name for each person on her
List, it included Tammie, Cassidy and Taylor… What a lovely experience to listen to mum's prayers that night at the hospital.
Dear sweet Woman how I will miss you. These last few years were so difficult. You were in constant pain. May you be restored to all that you are in Spirit and may we meet again in the Great Hereafter.
Dear Cassidy and Taylor, I wrote this on the morning of your mum's funeral, but I'm not on FaceBook, or even on e-mail much! Bless you both, you provided a wonderful send off for your mum.. Should you ever need an old pal of your mother's to speak to I am here for you xo
