Blog entries from tamara

5 Years...

Tamara Ekis — Thu, 14 Feb 2013 12:50:56 +0100

Grace is given not because we have done good works, but in order that we may be able to do them.
-Saint Augustine

Happy “I Love You Day!”
It is hard to know just where to start....when Grace first joined the angels it was impossible to believe that we would be able to make it to the 5 year anniversary of her journey to heaven. At that time, we couldn’t imagine that we would exist without her. The pain was so intense that we were unable to see beyond a few months, days, or even hours. NowRead More...

Happy Birthday Grace!

Tamara Ekis — Fri, 20 Apr 2012 12:23:20 +0100

Happy 10th Birthday to our sweet Grace!

Our deepest thanks to all who joined us at the 5th Annual Race For Grace! The kindness and generosity displayed by the committee chairs, volunteers, runners, walkers, spectators, corporate sponsors, and individual donors is truly appreciated. Yesterday was yet another recoRead More...

We Are Not Alone….

Tamara Ekis — Tue, 28 Feb 2012 13:40:02 +0100

We Are Not Alone…

I am sure that many of you noticed that I did not post an update on Valentine’s Day...I did post a small tribute to Grace on Facebook, but found myself unable to come up with anything different to say on Valentine’s Day this year. Although it has now been four years since that day we felt her breathe for the last time, there are many feelings that have not changed. We still miss her desperately, still love her deeply and still wish she were here with us. There are many iRead More...

Breakfast with Santa

Tamara Ekis — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 18:44:26 +0100

It’s not too late to reserve your places at this year’s Breakfast with Santa event benefiting the Reflections Of Grace Foundation. The 3rd annual Holiday gathering takes place this coming SaturdayRead More...

So Much to Say

Tamara Ekis — Tue, 06 Sep 2011 12:30:14 +0100

Looking back at the date of my last update, I realize it has been a very long time since I have posted a message. I cannot tell you how many times I have started to write something but have not been able to finish my thoughts. In some instances, what I have to say seems too “every day” to share, while other times it feels as though the perfect words are just not flowing. We are doing okay…we are living every day to the best of our ability. We have learned that this means different things on Read More...

Race Results!

Tamara Ekis — Sun, 20 Mar 2011 00:00:00 +0100

What a day! Sincere thanks to all that attended and sponsored the 4th Annual Race For Grace! Everyone’s contributions were truly appreciated. Yesterday was yet another record breaking day, as both registration and fundraising goals were surpassed. Between the 1,800 registered runners and walkers, 300 volunteers, and 300 spectators, the total number of approximately 2,400 attendants was really remarkable. Even more astounding was the total amount of money raised….over $88,000!! These extraordinarRead More...

Happy I Love You Day

Tamara Ekis — Mon, 14 Feb 2011 00:00:00 +0100

Alexis

Tamara Ekis — Sat, 15 Jan 2011 00:00:00 +0100

As we meet to plan and discuss our upcoming race, we stop to remember just why we work so hard...

Our hearts are re-broken each time yet another precious child makes their journey to heaven... Yesterday, the angels came for dear Alexis, who bravely fought for 33 months.

Please join us in praying for her family...Jon, Neely and Gabe.

www.caringbridge.org/visit/teamalexis

"He will send from heaven and save me...God will send forth His lovingkindness..." Psalm 57:3

Still a hard day...

Tamara Ekis — Tue, 04 Jan 2011 00:00:00 +0100

There are some days that will be difficult to get through, no matter how many years that pass; no matter how many times we come upon them. This is, without a doubt, one of those days. It will remain the single day that changed our lives forever- Grace’s day of diagnosis. This is now the third time I have written a reflection on that day, and I still find it hard to find the words to accurately describe my feelings. I want to write something inspirational, something poetic, but the words arRead More...

The Deer In The Middle Of The Road

Tamara Ekis — Mon, 13 Sep 2010 16:31:58 +0100

A few weeks ago, Garrett and I took the shortcut home. As we came down a wooded hill, there stood a mother deer and her two fawns in the middle of the road. They were adorable, still having spots Read More...

Summer Flies By…

Tamara Ekis — Thu, 05 Aug 2010 16:41:35 +0100

I have been meaning to post an update for a while now, but it seems that I do not either have the right words or the right time…this summer is passing all too quickly! Having Claire’s light shine Read More...

May

Tamara Ekis — Tue, 11 May 2010 12:33:16 +0100

With Mother’s Day this past weekend, there have been many DIPG moms that have shared their most intimate thoughts and feelings about what motherhood means to them on their child’s website. I becamRead More...

An 8th Birthday

Tamara Ekis — Wed, 21 Apr 2010 14:04:35 +0100

Yesterday was Grace's 8th Birthday...I had wanted to post a message but as the day went on, it became increasingly hard for me to do so...

We continue to find ourselves thankful for the many blessings that have come our way, despite the turbulence of the past two years…

I just wanted to post a quick reminder to all of you who have not yet registered for the 3rd Annual Race For Grace on Saturday, March 20. We are now only 10 days away from the race! If you wish toRead More...

Happy I Love You Day!

Tamara Ekis — Sun, 14 Feb 2010 12:40:18 +0100

Happy I Love You Day, Grace Elizabeth!

We miss you, we long to hold you, to touch you, to hear your voice and yes, we will always love you!

Our hearts remain heavy today as we reach this milestone...2 years without you.
We hope that your beautiful life serves as a constant reminder to all to live fully, cherish others and love the life that you have been granted.

Dance on, sweet angel...

"Pursue love..." 1 Corinthians 14:1

We Race On...

Tamara Ekis — Tue, 05 Jan 2010 13:48:02 +0100

It is hard to believe, but also hard to forget, that today, 3 years ago, our family began to travel this road of childhood cancer. On that January 4th, I can vividly remember that it was unseasonably warm, we didn't even have winter coats on...I recall the specific outfits both Grace and I wore...I remember those last feelings of innocence I had as a mother...it was nothing big, she just had an ear infection or something...

So, our lives were forever changed that day. Our path was not tRead More...

Our Light is Our Hope...

Tamara Ekis — Tue, 29 Dec 2009 14:12:45 +0100

Greetings...I wanted to post our Christmas 2009 message and also share some pictures of Grace's stone that was recently placed.

Our light is our hope…

The past three years have been the test of our lives. As parents, we have lived through our worst nightmare…the loss of a child. As brothers, Colin and Garrett have been forced to mature much beyond their chronological ages of 11 and 14. As a family, we deal daily with the raw emotion of longing for someone who brought us so much joRead More...

Andrew

Tamara Ekis — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 13:07:08 +0100

On Friday, fellow DIPG warrior Andrew Smith earned his wings and joined the angels. Andrew had been bravely fighting for 2 years, much longer than many other DIPG children. Andrew's insight, wit aRead More...