Saturday, May 25, 2024

CCPM Graduation, 23 Years Ago

23 years ago today, on May 25th, 2001, I graduated from California College of Podiatric Medicine.  It was the culmination of a goal I had had since I was six years old.  To become a doctor.  It was a memorable experience and I was lucky to have many loving, caring family members there to support me.

Walking off the stage with my diploma!

Receiving my diploma from Dr. Burns.

CCPM graduating class of 2001



Fancy dinner at the CCPM graduation ball.  Poor Lisa couldn't come because she had to stay at the hotel to watch her kids.  :-(

Going to the graduation ball May 24, 2001

At the hotel getting ready to go to the graduation.

Dancing with Dad  at CCPM graduation ball May 24, 2001



All the family who came to support me and witness my graduation from CCPM.  San Francisco, California. May 25, 2001

The 23 years since this day have been quite a ride.  Certainly not how I expected my life to turn out.  But even though I never got to use my Doctor of Podiatric Medicine degree, I have no regrets about earning it and all the work that went into it.  It is an accomplishment that I'm proud of and would do it again.

Thanks to all my family members who made the sacrifice and effort to travel to San Francisco to support me at my CCPM graduation in earning my DPM degree.  I appreciate all of you.

That's my two cents.

Thursday, May 23, 2024

Happy Birthday Plastic Brother

I don't know that I've ever acknowledged my plastic brother on my blog.  Today is his birthday, so I thought I would post pictures and wish him a happy birthday today.

Jason is my brother's best friend since fifth grade I believe.  Growing up he was always at our house and became like a brother to us.  Thus, he is our plastic brother.

Jason is only 18 days younger than Michael.  They did everything together.  Jason is the brother Michael never had.  They remain close to this day.

I have always considered Jason to be my plastic brother throughout the years.  Jason has always been there for us.  When Dad was dying, Jason was here.  Mom's funeral was actually on Jason's birthday two years ago today.  Jason flew up here to support us and spent his birthday at Mom's funeral.

Michael and Jason came to visit me at college and medical school many times.  We always had a blast!  I even starred in the "Patty" music video filmed on the Utah State University campus when they were visiting me shortly before their missions.

When we were both living in Texas, Jason brought his family to visit me in Texarkana for the fourth of July.  (sorry I couldn't find the photo)  

I have many fond memories with my plastic brother.

Here are a few photographs I found of us.

Tammy dying Jason's hair blonde in my San Francisco apartment.  Around 1998.


Tammy's graduation from Utah State University 1996.  Logan, Utah
Michael, Tammy, Jason

Logan, Utah mid nineties.  Tennis anyone?

Logan, Utah mid-nineties

San Francisco around 1998

Easter mid-nineties  Logan, Utah

Oakland Temple late nineties.  Notice Jason's celestial glow.  :-)

Thanks for all the memories throughout the years.  It's fun to reminisce and look back on better times.  Thanks for being the best plastic brother ever.  Love you, Jason.

Happy Birthday plastic brother!

That's my two cents.

Tuesday, May 21, 2024

Lamentation

"…My father hath been slain in battle, and all my kinsfolk, and I have not friends nor whither to go; and how long the Lord will suffer that I may live I know not." – Mormon 8:5 

"But behold, I am consigned that these are my days, and that my soul shall be filled with sorrow because of this the wickedness of my brethren."  – Helaman 7:9

I very much relate to these Scriptures written by two different prophets, hundreds of years apart.  Those of you aware of my situation for the past two months, and with no end in sight, will understand my plight.

I understand and empathize with Moroni's and Nephi's laments.  I feel their pain and sorrow.

On days when it's too much to bear, I look to Moroni and Nephi and the strong example of these two great men to help get me through this difficult challenge.  I just hope and pray that I have the strength to endure to the end as well as they did.

Please pray for me.  I need all the help I can get.  Thank you.

That's my two cents.

Sunday, May 19, 2024

Happy Birthday Mom

Mom died exactly one week before her 77th birthday.  Her mom died when she was 77 and she wanted to make it as long as her mom.  She fell one week short.  But when she got to the Spirit World, I'm sure that didn't matter anymore.  I'm sure she was just happy to not be sick anymore and be with Dad and other loved ones in such a beautiful, peaceful place.  I can't wait to join them!

Today would be Mom's 79th birthday.






Happy birthday to my beautiful mother who is now up in heaven.  She is the best mom ever.  I am so blessed to be her daughter.  I miss you every day Mom!  Can't wait to see you again! Love you, Mom.

That's my two cents.

Tuesday, May 14, 2024

Happy Birthday Dad

Today is Dad's birthday.  He would have been 78 today.  It's hard to believe he's been gone almost 5 years now.  I miss him.  I'm so blessed to have him as my father.





I know Dad is busy on the other side of the veil doing the Lord's work.  I hope he has time to celebrate his birthday today.

I love you, Dad.  I miss you.  Can't wait to see you again.

That's my two cents.

Sunday, May 12, 2024

Happy Mother's Day/Graduation Day Mom!

Today is a bittersweet day for me.  Two years ago today Mom graduated from mortality.  Today also happens to be Mother's Day.  What a fitting day to have Mother's Day.  Mom epitomized motherhood.  I am truly blessed beyond measure to call her mother.  She truly is an angel– both while she was on earth and now in heaven.  She watched over me in life and now, for these past two years, she's been watching over me from the Spirit World.  I have no doubts about that.

"… yea, they had been taught by their mothers, that if they did not doubt, God would deliver them.

And they rehearsed unto me the words of their mothers, saying: We do not doubt our mothers knew it."  – Alma 56:47-48

I am so grateful for a mother who taught me the gospel and, like the Stripling Warriors in the Book of Mormon, I have no doubt my mother knew it.








 I love you Mom!  I miss you so much and can't wait until we are reunited again on the other side of the veil.  Happy Graduation Day and Happy Mother's Day to the best mom in the world!

God be with you till we meet again.

That's my two cents.

Wednesday, May 8, 2024

My Handwriting Analysis from 2002

As many of you know, Lisa and I really got into handwriting analysis about a year ago and had a handwriting analysis expert, Mozelle Martin, analyze a bunch of handwriting samples for us.  Well, a few months ago she retired and we were sad that we couldn't have her analyze anymore handwriting samples for us.

Just a few days ago my Aunt Annette sent me an email with a letter I had sent them from just a few months before my accident in 2002.  It was a pleasant surprise.  I really was wishing that Mozelle could analyze it for me.  Since it's 10 years newer than the sample I had her analyze from my mission.  But, alas, she was retired and I was out of luck.  Well, then yesterday, out of the blue, I found in my junk mail a message from Mozelle saying she was back!  I was so excited I immediately thought of my letter to Uncle Ron and Aunt Annette.  So I sent it to her yesterday and got my results today.  I'm so excited!  Mozelle is the best!  I think it's a very accurate personality snapshot of me.  What do y'all think?

Here it is: 

  • You are self-assured and independent.
  • You have a strong personal identity and a desire to assert yourself.
  • You are analytical and creative.
  • You have the innate ability to explore various paths and innovative solutions.
  • You are open and receptive in communication.
  • You have a willingness to listen to others’ viewpoints.
  • You are detail-oriented and analytical.
  • You have a preference for privacy and a meticulous approach to thinking.
  • You are cautious and precise.
  • However, you can be skeptical and discerning nature in accepting information.
  • You are efficient and have an aesthetic sensitivity.
  • You have a practical and stylish approach in your expressions.
  • You may face variability in emotional expression.
  • You have fluctuating energy levels or a variable approach to how you express yourself.
  • You may experience emotional ups and downs affecting your rational thinking.
  • This can cause challenges in maintaining your personal output or emotional state.
  • Overall, this points to you as a complex individual with a blend of creativity, analytical thinking, and a preference for clarity and precision in your interactions.

Here is my handwriting sample that she analyzed:
One thing I noticed that changed from 10 years earlier was before I was intolerant of others' opinions and perhaps close minded.  And in this sample, 10 years later, I was open and receptive to communication.  And have a willingness to listen to others' viewpoints.  I can see how that changed a little bit through my years of education after my mission.  Although, I'm still stubborn.  :-)

I am definitely self-assured and independent with a strong self-identity and can be assertive. One thing I've never had a problem with is self-esteem!  :-) 

I am certainly analytical and can be creative.  I've always enjoyed making things – sewing and cooking etc. 

I am certainly a private person and I like to think I have a meticulous approach to thinking.  

I am a cautious person and generally skeptical.  Not sure if my skepticism is innate or learned through all my years of scientific study.

I try to be efficient (thus my messy, fast handwriting) :-).  

I am practical and, back then, I was stylish.  :-)  I like to think I'm still stylish – at least in my mind.  Hey, if I could, I would still be wearing platform shoes and bellbottoms.  :-)

Anyway, thanks to Mozelle for her expert analysis of my handwriting from 2002.  Just for bearings, this was after I had graduated from podiatry school and was getting ready to start my residency.

Mozelle has analyzed countless handwriting samples for us and they are always surprisingly accurate.  At this point it shouldn't surprise me at how accurate her analyses always are but I'm always amazed every time I get results.

If you would like to utilize Mozelle's services, now that she's back in business, here is a link to her website. You can get a personality snapshot, which is what I posted, for $22.  Go check it out!

That's my two cents.