What a year it’s been.
For one, I started this substack newsletter just to see if I could dedicate myself to putting my writing out there.
Also, I wanted to see if I could be consistent with a publication. I admit I could do better, consistency-wise, but I’m learning. Thanks for being here while I do.
I write to get the poison out. Make sense of the emotions. Share my crazy moments, a little love, and hopefully some laughter, maybe a few tears.
Somedays, I don’t know why I write at all, the vessel is empty, and It feels like there is nothing worth sharing.
Then, other times, I feel like there are so many stories I don’t know where to start. Some of them I'm just not brave enough to share yet.
Not yet, not right now.
Maybe someday, I will muster up the courage and be bold enough not to care. Maybe those stories will play out here, on Substack. Maybe not. Only time will tell.
Some other Things
This last year, I couldn’t count how many times I thought or said - What in the actual fuck?
Early last year, Dad was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma and prostate cancer. He got the two-for-one deal. Lucky guy, I know.
He started his radiation 2 months before the destination wedding of his grandson, my oldest son.
All those little hellish things that go along with radiation pummelling your privates aside, he courageously made it through.
We are beyond grateful Dad is strong and determined. He was able to make the trip to Mexico and enjoy our first vacation all together as a family.
It was the trip of a lifetime for sure, I promise to share with you soon.
April
My boy got married to his wonderful wife in Mexico.
I was so sick I thought I might expire right there on the Mayan Riviera. I guess there are worse places to leave this world.
Funky monkeys, tequila (because when in Mexico), and some extra strength Advil Cold and Sinus somehow kept this mother of the groom upright.
Mostly.
May/June
Dad turns 80
The family gathers at our favourite campground for a week in the beautiful Rocky Mountains of Alberta to celebrate.
I’m blessed with an ear infection and a head cold. Seriously have mercy
I swear, I’m normally a very healthy person. This feels terribly unfair. Why must every family gathering be thwarted by snot and pain?
The morning we pack up to go home, we are belted with a frigid snowstorm and two grizzlies grazing on shrubs in the bush two feet from our trailer.
The packing up was a tense one. . I kept my eyes on the beasts while my husband cautiously loaded our oblivious to the danger dog into the truck and hitched up the trailer. Keeping the passenger side door open on the truck in case I had to make a quick jump in for safety. With frozen hands and noses, we waved goodbye. No one wanted to come to our campsite for departing hugs. I get it. Those grizzlies had everyone on edge.
Driving the winding road out of the Rockies, the blizzard blurred our views of the mountain range. We watched as it disappeared in the rear-view mirrors as we made our way back to the flat lands.
July
I drive the lawn mower over a wasp nest numerous times, I might add.
Unannounced to me, it was obscurely nestled into a hole in the ground at the cabin.
Once again - what the actual fuck?
Twenty-two stings later, I’m high on Benadryl and terrified to step outside the front door, angry wasps everywhere. It took at least 2 days for them to calm down.
A quiet, relaxing weekend thwarted by hostile flying vermin
You can read the full story on that here.
October
We take a quick trip to Mexico with some good friends. I almost came home with a Mexican Chihuahua and came unnervingly close to drowning while wave surfing.
Fast forward to Saturday of Thanksgiving weekend, my sister fell down some stairs at home.
By Monday, she was septic, barely conscious, and rushed to the hospital by ambulance with necrotizing fasciitis (the flesh-eating bacteria).
She ends up in the ICU on life support. A couple of surgeries to remove the necrotized flesh from her right arm. She then develops pneumonia.
Really?
My sister almost died; it was surreal and terrifying, and we are lucky to still have her. She was released from the hospital after two months. There is a long road to recovery, but each day she heals.
November
For the first time in 5 years, I celebrate a birthday not sick.
Can I get a hallelujah?
December
It was a merry Christmas.
The weather was mild and frosty. We had a house full of family and friends. It all happened in the blink of an eye. And just like that, Christmas was over.
Happy New Year.
I'm entering this new year curious, open, and with cautious but hopeful optimism.
No wild resolutions or delusional expectations. I’m choosing my inner dialogue carefully.
The thoughts we think can change the course of a day, month, or year.
What are you hoping for? What do you want? And be honest with yourself.
It's not complicated; Just like when we were kids, we just have to believe anything is possible, and it can be.
Thank you for meeting me here.
Cheers to a creative and prosperous year. Wishing you all the health, wealth, abundance, and happiness for 2025 and beyond~
Xo
Tam
If you enjoyed this little read please share it with someone, because that would make my day and hopefully brighten theirs.
Hi there, I’m Tamara Dayle. Born and raised on the Canadian prairies. I am a wife and mom of two grown men and three unruly fur turds that rule the roost.
I am also a life photographer, storyteller and writer - Mishaps and Milestones is 100% reader-supported. Thank you for joining me while I write about all the sweet and chaotic moments this life has to offer.
Please do consider upgrading to a paid subscription, to support my writing. You will receive a weekly Mishaps and Milestones newsletter, with some revelations, amusing stories, photography, occasional creative prompts, monthly ghost stories, and plenty of midlife what the actual fucks.
I hope to see you here again.
Warm coffee cheers
Tam
❤️
Wishing you all the best in 2025! It has to be a good one to make up for 2024 difficulties!