In a day my life was forever changed: From successful jet-setting career-driven mom who kept most of the balls in the air (not including housework) to stay-at-home nurse-mom who’s trying to keep one big ‘ol beach ball from hitting the ground. My world has been cracked open like a walnut, and while I’ve been putting those pieces back together, much light has shined in.
I started blogging on a Caring Bridge site about in November, 2011. It began as a way to inform my family and friends about my daughter Lulu, who was diagnosed with A.L.L. (Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia) one week before her 5th birthday. Soon, however, the writing became much more than that. It became my therapy and sanity, as well as a glimpse into the power of a child, a family, and a community.
Every time I sit down to write, I begin by telling myself to simply write the truth; my truth. With that comes vulnerability, struggle, what I hope is occasional grace and insight, and definite silliness. There may also be a curse word here and there (sorry) since I write as I speak! I’ve decided to tell the good, the bad and the fuggly about cancer and my life, in hopes of reminding myself and others how small the small stuff really is, and how big the love stuff really is.
I’ll never say cancer is a gift, but it certainly is a teacher. It’s been a bumpy ride so far, but there have also been glimpses of beauty and joy along the way that I could never have predicted. We still have many months left of her treatment. Trying to explain the long and bumpy road to recovery to my young daughter wasn’t simple … or was it? As I tried to find the words to explain it to her, I fumbled stuttering, at a loss for words. She interrupted me to say “I know Mama: storm, rainbow, storm, rainbow”, drawing an invisible rainbow in the air with her finger. How wise and right that statement is, for her, for ALL of us.
T. Marie
I welcome comments and followers! You may also email me at: Tmarieforallofus@mail.com.
Thank you!
a.l.l. of us 
anne and tim
/ April 29, 2012Teresa,
John told us what was happening a while ago. We’ve been praying for Lulu to get better. God Bless you and keep you.
Love,
Aunt Anne and Uncle Tim
T. Marie
/ May 26, 2012Thanks for your prayers Anne and Tim, I think they’re all working 🙂
adollyciousirony
/ May 13, 2012Hello my dear friend, thanks for the follow and nice meeting your here via Word Press. Please accept my nomination for you to receive A Versatile Blogger Award here:http://allaboutlemon.com/awards-showroom/
Enjoy and have fun blogging
Dolly
T. Marie
/ May 26, 2012Hello Dolly,
My sincere apologies for the delay on replying to this! I am very touched by the award, and your generosity to your fellow bloggers. Thank you so much, and keep making the lemonade!!!
Gratefully,
T. Marie
Beth
/ May 16, 2012Hi T!
Keep hangin in there! Glad the blog is going well. Look forward to dropping off food and a book got Lulu soon
Love,
Beth
T. Marie
/ May 26, 2012Hi Beth,
We are hanging in there! Thanks for taking the time to follow, and we hope to see you in a couple of months when Lulu is back in business! xx,
T
Renee
/ May 30, 2012Hey TMarie, glad I ran into you the other day. I enjoy your writing; like you said, its real. And thats what feels right and thats what you need, so its all good. I’m glad you are so happy with your care at CHW. You are really lucky to have them for Lulu (and to live nearby) Listened to the radio bit. Love Lucia’s voice. Will be thinking of you all often.
Dr. S
T. Marie
/ July 8, 2012Thank you Renee, what a coincidence running into you! I appreciate you taking the time to follow the blog. I’m sure our paths will cross again soon.
Michelle
/ July 25, 2012I think you all are just BEAUTIFUL!
Life and all things love
/ September 17, 2012Your daughter is an amazing little girl! I love the rainbow, storm analogy. I imagine there is no better way to put it! Congrats on how well the lemonade stand sell went.
shelbywestland
/ April 7, 2013As one of my beloved followers, I would like to extend my sincere thanks and gratitude by sharing with you my exciting news of becoming a newly published author! And, of course, I wanted you to be among the very first to get a chance to read the rest of my debut novel, The Legacy of Blood, now available in e-book format.
(No worries if you don’t have a Kindle or other e-reader device, they have free ones to download on your computer. I went on Amazon and downloaded their “Kindle for PC” absolutely free! Love it! Here’s the link if you need it: http://www.amazon.com/gp/kindle/pc/download .)
Again, I want to thank you kindly for all the support. And you never know, as some of my followers have told me, you could say you’ve had a big hand in helping make Shelby Westland a household name! 😛
The Legacy of Blood on Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Legacy-Blood-Sanguivore-Saga-ebook/dp/B00C5J7V2E/
Other e-reader retailers to follow soon!
Cheers!
XOXO
Barb gabrielson
/ January 16, 2014How is lulu doing?
T. Marie
/ February 10, 2014She’s doing well overall, nearing the finish line. Thank you for asking. Ill keep updating as we go!