Sadie

Sadie
July 23, 2006 - February 4, 2021

Sadly, our dog Sadie has passed away. We miss her deeply and are grateful beyond measure for the fourteen-and-a-half years she was here as a part of our family. Her final illness progressed rapidly and while it took us by surprise on Wednesday evening, we are comforted in that she did not have to endure prolonged suffering. Although several procedures relieved her discomfort overnight, by Thursday morning we were forced to make the decision that so many pet owners dread. We were able to pet her once more and love her through her peaceful transition to sleep.

Throughout our years together, she brought us immeasurable joy and guided us through life in ways we didn’t always understand. We never imagined that one fateful trip to the mall for dinner in 2006 would change our lives forever. We DID know we couldn’t leave that little Australian Shepherd puppy in the pet store. She was “on sale” and would soon go to a shelter. We discovered that the reason she dragged her back end a bit was due to a lack of muscle, a result of being born into a puppy mill and confined to cages for her first several months. 

Being familiar with the breed from my mom’s family, we knew she would require a lot of physical and mental exercise. Her leg strength developed steadily with plenty of walks, runs and play. She was a spunky, feisty little ball of energy who would not stop chewing on my shoelaces (while they were on my feet)! She was our first “child” of sorts and as we saw her through puppy kindergarten, countless training sessions, classes and play times, and never-ending adventures, she taught us well - while simultaneously maturing into the instinctive, bright, playful, and mischievous overgrown pup that she remained her entire life. 

Eventually, she would receive her own dog in the form of “Bentley” whom she loved dearly and bossed around constantly. He loved her profoundly as evidenced by his absolute obedience and fierce protection of her. He looked to her for instruction (on even the simplest of matters) and dutifully became her personal bodyguard outside and whenever she was nervous.

They would both receive a human boy in their later years, whom they both cherished and they settled into “parenthood” with grace, maturity and a willingness to eat whatever he dropped on the floor or was stuck to his fingers. She overcame her fear of children in order to care for him and he in turn was born into a world knowing the love of a dog.

Through all our adventures and travels, (including crossing the country four times by car, visits to the Grand Canyon, Vegas, Memphis, Toronto, Virginia, Hollywood, pit stops along Route 66, countless hotels, muddy swamps, snowfalls, music studio sessions, music video shoots, and fourteen years’ worth of family events, laughter, and love), one thing she said to me once really stands out. (Oh… Did I forget to mention that she could talk?) ;)

I was thinking philosophically and considered that she was such a good dog, perhaps she would advance spiritually enough to come back to earth someday as a human. She looked at me with a sort of gentle pity. “YOU have it BACKwards,” she said in her melodic way. “If YOU advance enough YOU might get to come back as a DOG.” It’s true that dogs have indeed mastered unconditional Love in a way that we humans can only aspire to. People have always had a problem with hubris. She had it all figured out and I was just her silly human.

Thank you, Sadie. We love you. Your Spirit remains with us always and we are Blessed to have  you as our forever Angel dog, or as Zachary puts it, our “SUPER DOG!”

xo

The Angel

The Angel in my room, the one that lights up, twinkles, and sends dancing patches of light around the walls every night has stopped.

I could take this as an ominous sign: The Angel has left, its light extinguished.

Then again, its absence of light can serve as an example of faith: We must believe even when our path is not lit. The Angel is clearly still there. Its lack of illumination only indicates that we must believe in what we can not see, have faith through the darkness.

Then there's the reality that I am just out of C batteries. As soon as I put the new ones in, it will light up again.

What's really real is that I can put C batteries on the grocery list, but that light will not go on until I actually put them in and flip the switch. It's on me.

Blessed week...

Love,
T

New Angel

Every once in a while a fantastic and clever blog idea just pops into my head. Then I might get hit in the face with a spoonful of SpaghettiOs and the thought is lost forever. This is one of those weeks. As I sit here trying to recall some long forgotten blog idea, the actual course of events is what comes to mind.

Traveling over 800 miles by car with a toddler was a daunting task to undertake, especially when there was an impending snowstorm and a funeral involved. We made it to my Uncle Ted's service and those closest to him agreed that he would have loved having the children there. Zachary informed some in attendance that Uncle Ted went to "go be an Angel." He doesn't really understand what that means, but he knew beforehand that some people might be sad, that we were going to give them a hug, and that it was mainly because Uncle Ted had gone to be an Angel. We didn't emphasize that we were saying "goodbye" because I didn't want him yelling "Bye Bye Uncle Ted" in the middle of the church service. I wanted to give him a sense of what was happening in a way he could understand without freaking him or anyone else out.

He was very well behaved throughout the services and during the journey itself. He was eager to help me - even when it was late and he was tired. It was heartwarming how he assisted me with the suitcases at hotels. He had a whole host of new experiences and embraced them all, while bringing smiles to the faces of almost everyone we met. For the first time, he walked into an elevator, stayed at a hotel, ate Indian food, and got up close to a very big train. Uncle Ted was exceptionally fond of trains, so it was particularly appropriate that we stopped at a restaurant that was also a train. At the second hotel (on the way home), there was a Christmas tree in the lobby and we noticed the pretty angel on top.

Rest peacefully Uncle Ted. We Love you.

Namaste,
T & Z

#Believe

There it was, Sunday evening and I had no idea what to blog about. It was almost midnight and time to go to bed. Then, as if right on cue, Joel Osteen came on TV.

He spoke of "due season" and how our time is coming for great Blessings. Things that seemed impossible will come to pass unexpectedly and suddenly. We need to have faith. We need to believe.

My eyes drifted to the piano where we had just put all of the Christmas presents we had received. Right in front was a little angel ornament given to us by Santa. It says "Believe." I thought it would be a good reminder that no matter what happens, or regardless of how any situation may appear on the surface, we should keep believing that everything is all working out for the best. I had just discussed the idea with Russ as we placed it on the piano lid, arranging it alongside all the wonderful things given to us by friends and family this year.

As Joel spoke words that sounded so familiar to us, Russ and I shared a smile. Then I got up, took a picture of the Angel ornament, and sat down at the computer to write this.

This year, I Believe we all have amazing Blessings in store. We can all have faith that good things are coming. We would do well to Believe.

A Blessed, Happy and Healthy New Year...

Namaste,
T

#Trust

I LOVE when this kind of thing happens! (Forgot to tell you this last week.)

I was in Brooklyn looking for a parking spot. The only available space was partially blocked by a wooden pallet, so I got out of the car to move it. I noticed this immediately as I bent toward the ground...

I smiled as I thought of previous blogs about finding money and, and others about finding feathers. It looked to me as if an Angel was giving me a dollar! I moved the crate and turned to get back in the car and saw this...

CORRECTION! An Angel was giving me TWO dollars! I picked them both up and went to my appointment, wondering why the money had been placed in my path that day.

It wasn't until several hours later that I realized I had forgotten my wallet at home. I could not have shown my license if I had gotten pulled over, or paid to park my car anywhere that day. I COULD have gone through a drive-through if I got hungry though.

When I offered to pay back my friend for the coffee she bought me, I had no idea that the only money I had on me was that couple of bucks that I had found outside. When I finally did realize my wallet was missing, I smiled again at how the Universe had my back the whole time! I had those two dollars in case of an emergency. I would be able to buy food or water if I needed to.

I am going to remember that this week - that things are being lined up for me and arranged beyond what I can see or understand. The Universe has my back, and in THAT I can trust. Everything is going to be okay. We have a way of finding exactly what we need before we even know we need it. It's already done. Our future has already been planned for.

#Trust - It's all taken care of. No worries.

Namaste,
T

P.S.
Monday's moon... Doesn't it look as if someone lassoed it and pulled it closer to the ground - like in "Bruce Almighty?" :)

"Bruce Almighty" - Moon Scene clip:

Follow the Signs

Last week looked like it was going to include a LOT of drive time. The plan was to drive from Western New York to NYC and back. Thankfully, the plan changed and I was afforded the luxury of some much appreciated relax time.

Sometimes you just have to follow the signs...

Sometimes the slower way is better.

Amish horse and cart

This sign from a yard sale reminded me that the best things in life are free...

#BestYardSaleEver

Then, there were THESE signs...

These reminders that we don't often fit one simple label made me smile...

So as the new week begins, I'll take in all that I see and remember that...

Namaste! xoxo

T

"Calling All Angels..."

"I need a sign to let me know you're here..."

- Train

Saturday morning, I asked the Angels to show themselves to me. It was a simple prayer. I had been stressed out and wanted to feel a sense of peace and reassurance of faith. “Let me see you,” I asked of them. Shortly afterward, Russell and I drove to a Greek Orthodox Church to attend the funeral of a friend’s wife, who had succumbed to cancer.

During the service, I found myself saying the same prayer for the deceased that I had said for myself earlier, before I realized how unnecessary that was. There I was, asking that Angels show themselves to her and comfort her spirit, just as the priest was saying that the dearly departed was with her guardian Angel at that very moment. Of course! 

At the end of the service, the casket was guided down the aisle behind the priest, who walked backwards, singing prayers of Blessing and swinging incense before it. I imagined that the smoke rising from his vessel was actually Angels accompanying the dearly departed, guiding her way. As the fragrant cloud swirled and trailed off in the air, it looked as if those Angels were doing some kind of ceremonial dance with twirls, gracefully and joyously leading her back home.

Immediate family followed the casket down the aisle and I was jolted back to earth as I saw their expressions and felt a sense of loss. I could scarcely imagine what it must have been like for them. I realized that THEY were the ones who needed to see the Angels and be comforted. I silently repeated my prayer for them. They had lost their mother, wife, friend; and while we knew she was now at peace, she would also be dearly missed. They had written a beautiful remembrance of her that was read as part of the ceremony. It was a moving tribute for a very special woman whose kind spirit, generous nature, and manner of touching people's lives served as heartwarming inspiration for her closest loved ones and for all of us there. 

Driving home, I was startled as something swirled and twirled in the air before the car on the highway. It was a big feather! It lingered and danced in the air before us just like the smoke from the priest’s censer had done! I gasped aloud as my mind registered the significance. Russ noticed my reaction and momentarily interrupted his phone call to ask what had triggered it: “What? The feather?” 

He had seen it too! I had not just imagined that Angel feather!

(I’ve heard it said that feathers are signs from Angels - and I’m going to go ahead and believe it.)

Isn’t it funny how we find what we seek? I had said a prayer (or, as some might say, I had set an intention) and it was answered. I’m reminded that we can choose to see what we desire to see. We can see an Angel in a feather, in the smoke cloud of incense, in a child’s smile or in anything of beauty. Even in times of difficulty, we can choose to believe that Angels are hard at work; guiding us, challenging our limited thinking, or pushing us toward higher understanding and greater patience – or stronger faith. They can be anywhere – and EVERYWHERE we CHOOSE to see them. I wanted to see them and I did, simple as that.

This week, I hope we can set positive intentions (or prayers, or wishes, or however you want to word it) for ourselves and for all of our human family, and that we believe strongly enough in them – that we see them come true.

“Ask, and you shall receive. 

Search, and you will find. 

Knock, and the door will be opened for you.”

 – Matthew 7:7

Namaste,

T

United

The perfect end to an extremely busy week came on Sunday.

I attended the wedding of a wonderful friend and his partner.  The spirit of Love that filled the air was simply incredible.  All who were present felt Blessed to witness the couple's declaration of a most genuine and precious Love.  It warmed our hearts, brought tears to our eyes and sent our Spirits leaping for joy.  The magic and beauty that we felt defies description by mere words.  It seemed we all witnessed a bit of Heaven - the way things are supposed to be.  We laughed, cried and drank it all in as if our parched souls had finally found an oasis.  By sharing their Love with us, that couple had actually fed our souls.

As they stood before us, baring their hearts to each other, someone in the intimate crowd gathered there in the couple's living room said, "I love love."  The woman standing next to me was compelled to introduce herself to me, and I to her.  We all came together under that umbrella of Love.  There were family members, friends, and complete strangers gathered in a feeling of unity.  Isn't that what love is all about?

As I was eventually saying my goodbyes, along with so many lovely people, we spoke of a sense we had, of a "cloud of Love" surrounding us.  We bid the couple hold on to that cloud and always refer back to it in times of challenge.  I vowed to myself to hang on to it and carry it with me as I ventured back out into the world beyond the comfort of their enchanted home that evening.

With so much going on in the world at this very moment, I will carry the remembrance of that Love this week.  I will seek out that which unifies people and accept it as truth.  I will dismiss that which seeks to divide us.

I believe we are one family.

Namaste,
T

"Don't let them deceive us

Orchestrating our defeat

Pushing us to ruin

We fight our brother in the street

Just because he wears a different face

What a disgrace

I believe that we're all family

And together we can find all that we need..."

-Tanya Diona 

"Family Reunion" lyrics

P.S.
As if Angels have just sent me confirmation of these sentiments, I just viewed these two posts (which I will post, in sequence, after posting this blog):

As I write this, peaceful protesters unite and line the streets across the country...

Keep Going Angel Face

Happy Monday everybody!

I started off last week in the studio in Buffalo.  It's always such a joy to work on new music with my dream team!

with Joey and Russ

Tuesday, I saw an Angel in the sky.  :)  There were guys working on the house when a friend texted to ask how I was doing.  I took this picture of the ladder and responded that I was "Movin' on up."  Do you see the Angel face in the clouds - just to the left of the ladder?

raw photo - no retouches

When Russ left for Milan, I thought I might have a minute to relax, but no.  I received a confirmation for a pending Saturday show and the rush was on to get hair done, update website, learn songs and get back to the NYC area.

At the gig in the Hamptons, I was pleasantly surprised to see old friends!

with Wes (drums)

And I always love working with this amazing group of singers!  :)

with John, Chevonne, Brian

By the time I got home, I was too tired to get out of the car.  (Hey singers - does this happen to any of you too?)

So on Sunday, I didn't want to do ANYTHING.  A day of rest... Aaahh... (If only this were one of the commandments or something.)  ;)  

Seriously though, it is SOOOOOO good for us to just sit and breathe.  We all really need to do this more often.  I had the Blessed opportunity to rest and reflect and let the thoughts flow freely on Sunday.

As I thought about what I might write here today and looked for a common thread that ran throughout the week, I recalled many conversations, comments and Facebook posts about love, relationships, personal boundaries and standing up for one's self.  All week long these topics kept coming up.  They were in the love song we worked on in the beginning of the week, in the songs I learned for the gig, in the casual conversations, in the funny stories I heard from friends and in the serious stories on the news.  

I remembered someone's story about how a friend of theirs had been afraid to stand up for themselves in a work situation, and someone else's story about how they HAD spoken up for themselves and how things had changed for the better after that.  I recalled a time when I had spoken up for myself.  I recalled a time that I didn't, but wished I had.  I remembered that oftentimes it seems easiest to ignore an issue and pretend that it's not that bad or offensive.  Sometimes it's hard to face the possibility of letting go and easier to let wishful thinking blind us to the truth.  I thought of someone last week who said, "It is what it ain't!" - rather than "It is what it is."

I saw these posts on Facebook:

"Sometimes on your way up

you have to stop and

let some people off"

- from Enchanted Minds

"You will never get what you truly deserve

if you remain attached

to what you're supposed to let go of"

- from Enchanted Minds

Then I saw this post:

click here for: "The Difference Between Healthy Love & Unhealthy Love" - by Joe Martino

I thought of all the positive affirmations and quotes that I see so often on social media.  While we are encouraged to be positive and love each other, sometimes we forget to love ourselves first.  Setting boundaries doesn't have to mean conflict.  We don't need to get someone else to act in any particular way - but we DO need to be honest with ourselves about the decisions WE make about how we will or will not allow ourselves to be treated, or who we choose to be around.  Loving someone does not mean allowing ourselves to compromise what we believe is right for ourselves.  We can set our own limits and respect the choices of others while we take responsibility for our own.  

Then Steve Harvey came on TV with Oprah, giving advice and talking about his book "Act Like a Success, Think Like a Success."  (I bought it as an eBook.)  He talked about how he doesn't have time for people's negativity and how "You cannot pull everyone along in your wagon of success.  You have to know when it's time to cut certain people loose."

click here for: Steve Harvey on "Oprah's Lifeclass"

I remembered the Angel's face in the clouds and thought of "movin' on up" and wrote these words:

"I take responsibility for presenting myself to you 

as someone you could take advantage of...  

That's all over with now.

- My Higher Self"

In case you didn't see the Angel before...

So here's what I got for this week (to remind myself):

1)  Take the time to rest and breathe and let your innermost thoughts and revelations bubble up to the surface.  Don't get too busy for yourself.  Don't drown yourself out with busywork.

2)  Keep climbing.  Keep making everything better.  Keep raising your own bar.  Blessings await.  Don't be afraid to let go of the old.  Trust that the new Blessings will come.  Keep going!

3)  Hey!  I should write a song about this stuff!  ;)

click here for: Tanya Diona's song "Stand"

Namaste,

T