Wednesday, November 10, 2010

Happy Birthday to Tucker

I just wanted to take a minute and wish my sweet little tucker happy birthday. he turns 21 today. He has been through a lot. It is very painful for me to post this baby picture of him before his brain injury, but I'm going to be brave and do it and deal with the emotions that come.

i recently read a post by Melody Ross discussing some painful memories from a traumatic time in her life and at one point i had to stop reading it. my heart was racing and i started to feel sick. it dredged up some very painful memories, ones i have a hard time acknowledging. it just is so hard to go there. I could so relate to everything she said- i just don't think i've ever been able to put it into words before.

i remembered something that happened when tuck was in utah for rehab and i went out shopping for things he needed and was so confused, disoriented (i was in a unfamilar city with no friends, no cellphones then, no computer, no money, virtually nothing), frightened and as Melody said in her post, ALONE. my husband was there in utah too, but we were coping on different levels - so we weren't working together as a team then. but i remember being out and tears just streaming down my face and it amazed me that not one person stopped and said, "are you alright?" i'm sure they had to notice. Since that time, I have stopped several women in obvious distress and said quietly, "you look upset and i wanted to stop and see if i can be of any assistance." they all said no, they didn't need my help (we never need any help, do we?) - but at least I know that I acknowledge their pain and i hope that counted.

so that's all i can handle for now on walking down that road of pain.




tucker, age 6months - (pre injury)







here's the birthday boy heading off to school. i just love him so.

29 comments:

  1. I just want to send you and Tucker a hug from here.

    No words...

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  2. My husband and I both have struggled from brain trauma...my friends daughter has cerebral palsy and she is so very precious...Tucker is a special boy to have such a loving mother. Hugs to Tucker on his birthday and hugs to his Momma.

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  3. Happy Birthday Tucker and a great big hug for his brave, brave mama. I too read Melody's story with tears flowing...for all of us. You will always be my inspirational brave girl.
    xoxo

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  4. Happy 21st Birthday to sweet Tucker and a big hug to you Kecia. You are a very brave, strong and wonderful woman and mother. Thank you for sharing the wonderful photos.

    xo~C

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  5. Happy birthday to your sweet Tucker!

    Hugs to you.

    xo

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  6. Hugs to you and Tucker .. Happy Happy Birthday Tucker .. we all love you

    **tears**

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  7. Wishes for a very Happy 21st Birthday to Tucker!

    A very big hug sent across the miles to you.
    ~Shari

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  8. Happy Birthday Tucker!
    Sending Hugs your way, Kecia.

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  9. Happy Birthday to Tucker and happy "birth day" to you. And your acknowledgement did count for the people that you approached-I am sure they remember your gesture.
    k

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  10. Happy, happy birthday to wonderful Tucker! And Kecia, a moment of kindness is never wasted--trust me, it helped! God's Blessings to you and your family and give Tucker a great big hug for me!! Pat, A Remade Life

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  11. Thank you for sharing ~ you touched my heart. I have a close girlfriend who had twins, one with cerebral palsy. They both recently turned 21 and both have been incredible miracles in SO many lives!
    Wishing Tucker a VERY happy birthday!

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  12. hug that sweet boy for me!!!
    and always hugs for you!
    xox~kim

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  13. Kecia, Hugs (and tears) today from someone who has been on a similar road and continues in that path just as you are. I will never forget our conversation a few years ago as we painted and shared a little of our stories, and some things we both felt that were so much alike. You are such a loving and tender mother, Tuck is lucky to have you! There are no words.... but you are in my heart <3 Happy Birthday to Tucker!

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  14. Best birthday wishes for Tucker.
    And a big hug for you. Just because.

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  15. Happy Birthday Tucker!!!
    And Kecia, a BIG hug and kiss for you!! Although your boy has suffered, to see his face in the above picture, it is obvious that his soul is happy, really happy and that speaks volumes.
    I can always spot a happy soul and it always brings me alot of Joy because it reminds me that there is still goodness in the world :-)
    xoxoxoxoxo!!!
    Michelle

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  16. Happy 21st sweet Tucker!

    And Kecia, even though the women you stopped said they didn't need any help, I know for a fact that they will always remember that someone cared enough to even ask.

    xo Sherry - still kicking breast cancer's butt one day at a time!

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  17. Happy Birthday Tucker and hugs to you, Kecia! I'm sure those women appreciated your asking. Sometimes just the acknowledgement is a help.

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  18. I am encouraged that you have been able to carve out a creative life for yourself, in spite of some major challenges. I too had to do that, as therapy when my younger sister died. Art in all its forms is very healing. You are a treasure.

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  19. Happy Birthday to Tucker and BIG hugs to you.
    ((((((((((((((((((( ))))))))))))))))))))))

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  20. in many, many ways you are one of the bravest women I have ever met
    big hugs to you, Tucker and the family

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  21. Happy Happy Birthday Tucker ~ You have been blessed with an amazing Mamma that has a heart gold. Many happy blessing to all of you. I too am amazed at how many people will ignore someone in obvious distress. I know that I never do ~ you just have to look at me funny and Im all over it.

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  22. How can our kids be turning 21 when we are only 26?
    Happy Birthday Tucker! Your Mom completely adores you... but you know that. I think you have been such an inspiration to her...she charges through each day and project with such energy and spark and passion... same as you, giving it you're all each day. She makes it all count...whatever the task at hand...maybe you gave her that gift and in sharing her with all of us... we have been given a gift too. thanks for sharing that Mom of yours...because I adore her. Happy Birthday! I hope to come meet Miss Kecia's house of wonderful Men someday!
    xo
    keli

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  23. Happy Birthday to Tucker and Hugs to all! Thank you for sharing yourself with all of us.

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  24. thank you all for your kindest birthday wishes to Tucker.

    k

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  25. Sending so much love to you and your sweet boy...your post touched my heart. XOXOXOXO

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