Tammie’s song began on a beautiful spring day with two young parents welcoming their baby girl into a marvelous era. As they made their way home with their precious firstborn child, they passed through a world where Eisenhower was president, soda fountains were still a place to meet, automobile tail fins were large, and Elvis was still shocking parents everywhere. David and LaVere wrapped that baby tight, showered her with kisses, stroked her soft cheeks and sang her sweet lullabies while they rocked her to sleep. They proudly watched that little baby grow and flourish. Celebrations were had for first smiles, first words and first steps.
..and Tammie lived. …and Tammie laughed …and Tammie cried. …and Tammie loved.
Tammie’s song blossomed and there were dolls to be dressed, pictures to be colored, songs to be sung, dances to be danced and knees to be scraped. Time brought her sisters and a brother to squabble with, play with and love. It was an amazing time to be a child and her eyes watched the world make marvelous advancements in medicine & technology; even putting a man on the moon. Tammie also saw that same world seem to go mad with wars, riots and impending nuclear devastation. But regardless of those things, there were chores and homework to be done, games to be played, music to listen to, flowers to be smelled, berries to be picked, bicycles to be ridden, and boys to chase. …or be chased by.
...and Tammie lived. …and Tammie laughed …and Tammie cried. …and Tammie loved.
As girl became woman, Tammie loved life, loved her family, loved Jesus and eventually, she loved Bill. Hard work was no stranger to her, and she embraced it like a friend. Tammie beamed beautifully on her wedding day and Bill became the luckiest man on the Earth. Woman became bride. Bride became wife. Wife became mother and there were tears of joy when her arms cradled her own newborn baby girl. Motherhood took her to a world of deep, selfless, unconditional love. Tammie’s song raced on as God graced her and Bill with another beautiful baby girl. She sang them lullabies. She kissed their foreheads. She lovingly stroked their cheeks as she rocked them to sleep. She would fight for them. She was willing to die for them. Sacrifice was no stranger to her, and she embraced it like a friend.
…and Tammie lived. ...and Tammie laughed …and Tammie cried. …and Tammie loved.
Her song sweetly continued as the world around her continued to change. People came and went from her life. Like many of us, she watched in terror as the towers fell and worried about the world that she would pass on to her children. As her own daughters grew and matured, Tammie increasingly appreciated her mother’s patience and wisdom. She smiled when she heard her mother’s words come out of her own mouth. Deaths were grieved. Birthdays were celebrated. The world spun on.
…and Tammie lived. ...and Tammie laughed …and Tammie cried. …and Tammie loved.
The world grew faster. The world grew smarter. Tammie witnessed and experienced things that her young self could have never imagined. Hardship made her stronger. Heartbreak made her wiser. …but the world is hard and Tammie leaned on those she loved when she rallied all her strength and her hot tears flowed. …when she buried her beloved mother. …then her precious husband. ... and then her dear father. She proved to herself again and again that she was stronger than she ever knew.
…and Tammie lived....and Tammie laughed …and Tammie cried. …and Tammie loved.
The song of Tammie’s life flowed on with melodious highs and lows. Challenges were conquered, victories were celebrated, and hardships were endured. Her scars were many, but her smile never wavered. Tammie found comfort in her family and friends. Her grandbabies gave her the greatest joy. Of course, she cried when she learned of her illness. Of course, she mourned the days she would not see. But Tammie was strong. The world may have beaten her, but it would not take her smile. As her song played its final melody, she held loving hands. She hugged those she loved. She gave hope. She gave assurance. She said goodbyes. Tammie closed her eyes then slipped the bonds of this cruel world, and gently kissed the cheek of her Savior whom she adored. Even though her song on this Earth has ended, music continues on. Music continues on in all of us whose lives she touched and hearts that loved her.
…and Tammie loves. …but Tammie cries no more.
Tammie Hayslip
1959 - 2022