Last week we celebrated my father’s 85th birthday in Atlanta. It was so great to be together with family, even though it was a quick weekend!
L to R (back row) My older brother Doug, Kurt (my son), and Joe (my dh)
L to R (front row) Jackie (my sweet SIL), Dad, Esta, and Kelsey (my daughter)
at Gibbs Garden in Ball Ground, GA
Gibbs Garden, designed by Jim Gibbs, is an absolutely gorgeous place! Acreages of spectacular world class gardens. Learn more about the gardens and their history here. If you’re ever in that area, please treat yourself and visit this spectacular display of nature.
As Jim Gibbs, the founder of Gibbs Gardens, says about gardening, “Passing down seeds and plants from generation to generation provides a kind of love that only a gardener understands. I’m sure my three children and eleven grandchildren will enjoy this garden for years to come as I hope the general public will enjoy visiting and viewing the legacy I leave behind. A garden is fresh and alive from early dawn to the peace and tranquility of the setting sun.”
Kels and I traded spaces!
The Japanese Gardens at Gibbs are breathtaking (Joe and I adore Japanese Maples) Do you have a favorite plant or tree?
Views from Gibbs Garden
Views from Gibbs Garden
After leaving Atlanta, Joe, I and the kids traveled on to West Palm Beach and then to Fort Lauderdale where we visited the Everglades. Our first time to the area—and it did not disappoint!
We saw over two dozen alligators of all sizes and so many beautiful views while touring the Everglades. God’s creativity is boundless and never ceases to amaze!
Did you know that on average the Everglades are about 8-12 inches deep?
A Gator Lilly
Kels and Kurt on the airboat
A view from the front of the airboat as we sped along through the river of grass—and into numerous spider webs. Ick! Thankfully, we saw no spiders. Or at least we didn’t “feel” them!
Me and Joe
The family after the tour (and the boat we went on with Captain Wayne!)
We had a great week. Lots of fun in Atlanta then in Florida. But as fun as it was, I always enjoy returning home and getting back into routine. And yet…
We weren’t back home in Nashville long (maybe a couple of hours) when my brother called and told us that Dad was having a stroke and that Dad and Esta were on the way to the hospital. Long story made a tad shorter…
Dad didn’t have a full blown stroke. It was a TIA (a mini-stroke), which he’s had several of those before, sadly (the most recent one two weeks ago). Only this time the TIA was worse than those previous, which is concerning. And they’re taking a toll on him, too. Doctors kept him in the hospital Saturday and Sunday nights, and Dad went home yesterday after several tests showed no significant (dangerous) blockage. #sograteful
As I told some friends via email yesterday morning, I love my Dad so much and am so grateful God gave me Doug Gattis for my father. And it’s wonderful to have added Esta to our family, too (after my precious mom, June, passed away in 2009). They’re so happy together. And we celebrated her 84th bday, too! Her birthday is a day after my Dad’s.
If the Spirit brings my dad to mind, I’d sure appreciate it if you would pray for him—that the TIAs would cease and that the “crazy feeling” in his head would go away. I love him and pray he’s with us for several more years!
Have you ever visited the Everglades? Or perhaps Gibbs Gardens?
Continued blessings all,
Tammy
Coming August 8th
the third and final Belle Meade Plantation novel
Includes the real history of Fisk University, the first Freedmen School in America
I’m excited to share Sy and Alexandra’s story with you soon!
Tamera Alexander
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So sorry for you Dad’s TIA’s. A friend of mine has had a few and they are frightening! Will pray for your Dad.
I have visited the Everglades. My husband and were just married in June of 1969 and his first duty station in the Navy was Homestead near the Air Force base. We took a day and drove into the Glades. There were many side trips where we walked on the huge wooden “sidewalks” to see the many flora and fauna. I remember one was labeled with information and warnings of the huge spiderwebs. That one sticks out in my mind after 48 years!
We enjoyed a year there before a short hop to Portsmouth, VA and then back to the tropics, where we spent four years on Guam. One thing that we did back then was sight see! Thanks for bringing back some great memories! Glad you had a good trip to see your Dad.
Really appreciate your prayers, Paula. And I loved hearing about your experiences. You’ve traveled a lot through the years. And yes on those spider webs—funny how you remember that too. I do NOT like spiders but once you’re already going full force on that boat there’s not much you can do. So I just wiped the webs away and prayed its “spinner” wasn’t on me. : }
Definitely, prayers for your Dad! Hope he has a quick recovery.
ThanKS for the beautiful pictures. I love gardens.
Appreciate your prayers, Betty! Thanks for sharing.
I will pray for your dad and family.You are blessed to have him.It’s comforting to know that we who are in Christ Jesus know where we will be when we leave this world…God Bless you and your family.I have all your books you are one of my favorite authors.I am looking forward to reading this newest book.
Your note feels like a hug, Diana. Much love and thanks, friend!
Prayers for your dad. Beautiful photography!
Thanks, Cele, so much. And gotta love that iPhone! ; )
Praying for your dad. My mom is 82 and had to move in with us because of her health and safety. She’s had several TIAs that caused Falls and damage to her body. They changed her personality big time.
Loved the garden pictures! Japanese maples are some of my favorites. My mom has three beautiful ones in her yard, although she won’t be there to enjoy them.
My FIL passed away April 1 at 93. He owned a flower shop for many years. My husband has taken over his “legacy” by planting, gardening and weeding in our yard. He has lots of succulents. I bought him a white out bush as an early Father’s Day surprise. He named it Berle, after his dad! 😔😉
How precious, Gail! Love all that you shared, and I’m praying for your precious mom, too. Appreciate you.
Your photos and post brightened my day! Thank you!
So sorry to hear about your fathers strokes. Certainly will include him in today’s prayers.
Thanks, Jen! So grateful we’re on this journey together.
Just love your dad, Tammy, and keeping him in my prayers, along with all your family.
{{{BIG HUGS}}}
🙂
Your dad is in my prayers, Tammy.
Thanks, Lynn. Much love coming your way.
Praying for your dad’s healing.
Done…and prayers for you, too. The aging of a parent always takes a toll on the family.
Praying for your dad. I too have experienced a tia, and do not ever want to have another. They bring a lot of fear of the possibilities the can leave with you. I have all your books and can’t wait for the new one!
Pray for your dad! And I so enjoy your blog post. One of the special things I enjoy is getting to know authors better. I love your books! And of course I am eagerly awaiting your new one!!
Blessings!
Joy Hannabass