Batman and Robin
I met Tammy (The Daily Warrior.blogspot.com) on the ALS site "Patients like me." We began e-mailing and found, in spite of the difference in our ages, that we had a lot in common. A dialogue began and a relationship bloomed. We have come to love one another and this is a story about an incredible connection. It all started a year ago and she has become a very important person in my life. We talk to each other often on our computers through Yahoo and have, over the past year, shared the ups and downs of living with ALS, the joys and sorrows of life, our faith in the power of positive thinking and everything in between, from politics to religion.
Something else we share is an extremely healthy sense of humor and a strong will to survive. Joyce (Pepektheassassin) who visits both of our blogs, noticed our connection and dubbed us "Batman and Robin." The names stuck and we have been using them ever since. (Hence the "Batchair" - my power chair.)
Tammy lives in California and I live all the way across the country in Vermont. Never in my wildest dreams did I ever think that we would get to meet, but miracles do happen and this last week Tammy flew, in the company of her good friend Cheryl, across the United States so that we could meet and know each other in person. It was the most extraordinary visit, she is every bit as kind, warm, funny and strong as I had come to believe she was. She is a truly beautiful woman, inside and out, delicate in stature with a gamin face and wonderful, big eyes that are full of humor and mischief. Her smile could light up the East Coast. And although we were both mildly apprehensive about our first meeting, the connection we share is absolute and everlasting.
We talked of many things while she was here, sharing our lives and our hearts and I am not ashamed to admit that I cried when she left. But I am not sad, for she has given me an enormous gift with her visit and the hope, since this is a trip I cannot make, that she may come this way again, and bring her husband with her.
Something else we share is an extremely healthy sense of humor and a strong will to survive. Joyce (Pepektheassassin) who visits both of our blogs, noticed our connection and dubbed us "Batman and Robin." The names stuck and we have been using them ever since. (Hence the "Batchair" - my power chair.)
Tammy lives in California and I live all the way across the country in Vermont. Never in my wildest dreams did I ever think that we would get to meet, but miracles do happen and this last week Tammy flew, in the company of her good friend Cheryl, across the United States so that we could meet and know each other in person. It was the most extraordinary visit, she is every bit as kind, warm, funny and strong as I had come to believe she was. She is a truly beautiful woman, inside and out, delicate in stature with a gamin face and wonderful, big eyes that are full of humor and mischief. Her smile could light up the East Coast. And although we were both mildly apprehensive about our first meeting, the connection we share is absolute and everlasting.
We talked of many things while she was here, sharing our lives and our hearts and I am not ashamed to admit that I cried when she left. But I am not sad, for she has given me an enormous gift with her visit and the hope, since this is a trip I cannot make, that she may come this way again, and bring her husband with her.
posted by Pam at 8:42 AM
21 Comments:
I don't cry much anymore, but that made me cry. I might even have to stalk Tammy in California and rub up on her, just to get a rub of you.
I adore you. I really do.
Going to get tissues now.
Damn humanity.
How wonderful that you got to spend time together face to face!
Both of you are very special people. Thanks for sharing this experience! I treasure these bits you share with us
The Dynamic Duo-- Together Again for the First Time! But I hope not the last. I love you guys more than you can know! And I am soooo happy you got together. I treasure these pictures you've shared with us, and yes, I cried, too!
And endment, we have missed you! It's good to hear from you!
That's absolutely fantastic!
POW! ZOW! I can't remember any of the other words that came flying at us on Batman.
What a wonderful treat--and what a good friend you have in Tammy, and she in you. Also, what a great thing it is that Cheryl did, to accompany Tammy.
I love LOVE the Batman and Robin photos. What a hoot--
Mama P. - the feeling is mutual, you hold a very special place in my heart. Wish I could fly out to California!
Endment - it was the visit of a lifetime. By the way, it is sooo good to have you back.
Joyce - we love you too. And we wouldn't be the dynamic duo without you!
A.C. - fantastic indeed!
Kgmom - BAM! It was extraordinary...the costumes were Tammy's idea!
You two make a heart-warming pair. I love the reference to Batman and Robin....and, of course, you'd have to meet in person. Wonderful.
To answer your question on my blog:
Orange and Nutley are very close to Plainfield, NJ. I actually went to the first 2 yrs of college in East Orange, NJ.
You are always counting blessings, and this was an especially poignant one. I'm so glad 'Batman and Robin' finally got to meet. Both of you are so lovely.
Pam I'm so happy for you both. You do truly share a special bond.
Tammy looks like a fun person and has a wonderful smile. Reading your posts is always so uplifting for me. Thank you so much!
Oh Pam, what a beautiful post this was. I am so glad that I am able to see Batman and Robin together at last. I knew from Tammy's blog that she was so looking forward to your meeting. How exciting it must have been. Both of you are glowing.
Pam and Tammy, these photos of you both are absolutely marvelous. I find them inspiring. Thank you so much for sharing them with us.
What a TERRIFIC post! Thanks for sharing a little about this amazing visit...and I love the pics.
Judi
Ginnie - both Tammy and I feel that our meeting was meant to be.
My aunt and uncle moved to Plainfield sometime after we moved away from New Jersey and we never went back to visit. I was never quite sure where it was, thanks.I lived in East Orange when I was quite young.
Bonita - thank you so much, and yes, as blessings go, this one droped right out of heaven.
Alyssa -Tammy is an incredible person, we are very close and I treasure her presence in my life.
Kate - thank you for stopping by, Batman and Robin forever! Tammy is a good friend and an inspiration.
Bitterroot - thank you for checking in, I hope things are better for you. You're in my thoughts every day.
Judi - thank you. I'm looking forward to Tammy's telling of the tale, it's a wonderful story and I'm honored to be part of it.
Hi Pam,
It's Nancy...I too, met Tammy during this very same trip. Your description of who she truly is, and the experience, mirrors much of what I have been unable to adequately describe.
You must know that she adores you as much as you do her.
It touches me deeply that you two were able to meet...and that I was able to take advantage of that by meeting her too.
Thank you, Pam...uh, I mean, Robin!
Love,
Nancy
Pam, it was the best trip ever! I came down with a nasty bug and am having a hard time with fever. I'll be up soon. :)
What a precious meeting you had! Very poignant post about a sincere love connection! Glad you shared such a warm and wonderful camaraderie! Batman and Robin pictures are adorable!
Hugs Sherrie
Dear, dear Pam! I've not been online in a long time and you can imagine the delight in finding this life-affirming, love-confirming post.
Your beautiful faces are all we need to know of the human heart.
What a wonderful story. Thanks for sharing it.
Nancy - I knew Tammy was going to have dinner with you on Friday night, she was so looking forward to it. I know she loved meeting you, too. Thank you so much for stopping by.
Robin - oh no! Tell Dave to take very good care of you and I will check in with you soon.
Love and healing prayers,
Batman
Giggles - we have something special, Tammy's friendship is a wonderful gift. We kinda like the Batman and Robin picture too!
Cathy - "life-affirming, love-affirming," yes, that's exactly what it was.
Atavist - I am happy to have such a story to tell.
What a beautiful story of the internet bringing people together.
this is a life affirming story. there are a number of us with long term "followers" who would like to meet. your relationship now transcends your writing. congratulations to you both.
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