Thomas – Graduation from TMCC College – May 2024

May 11 2024

What a fabulous afternoon and night for Thomas and their friends. I’m so happy for Thomas having this great group of friends. I’m proud of Thomas. I’m proud of us. YOU did it. WE did it. A freaking milestone to celebrate!! ❤️❤️❤️🙌❤️❤️❤️

Distinctions and Honors: Diversity cord, diversity medal, 4.0 gpa/summa cum laude medal, honors cord, honors tassel, PTK tassel, and appreciation stole.
4.0 gpa and summa cum laude

Yesterday Thomas graduated from the TMCC dual credit program. Graduation from TMCC College with graduation from TMCC High School in a few weeks.

Throwback Post: Thomas and Camilla September 2012 Date Day

**THROWBACK POST**

September 22 2012:

Date day adventures with Thomas … Gosh!! What a Super Saturday!!!!!

First stop on our date day adventures … Lunch in the park … Thomas quotes Louis Armstrong and says, “It’s a Wonderful World”

Next stop …. Mmmmmmm … Gosh, it’s a great day for going to the beach and havin some frozen yogurt. Thomas says, “I love you!”

Last stop …. Pretending like we’re furniture and electronic shopping …. Gosh! It’s a great day for pretending!! … Plus we saw the biggest and scariest spider EVER!!

TMCC Unity Graduation – Thomas Darnell

May 3 2024

Last night was the first of three graduation events – Unity Graduation. The drum circle, mariachi band, and singing by Michelle McCauley was fantastic. 🎉🎉🎉

Never Stop Being on Fire – sea change

May 8 2024

To all the sisters who are on fire. 🔥 🔥🔥 Never stop. ❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥

sea change

To quote Stevie Nicks,
“The rooms are all on fire
Every time that you walk in the room
Well, there is magic all around you”

She’s on Fire means
she has shed the layers of herself she wore
for everyone else’s comfort.
The layers she wore to people-please
For fear that she would be rejected
That she would be rejected
Would be rejected
Rejected

She’s on fire means
She confidently asks for what she needs
She walks into spaces
With an air that she is supposed to be there
That she belongs there
She allows all of her self to enter
No longer afraid to take up space

She’s on fire means
That she fully steps into vulnerability
Unafraid to let the sensitive underbelly
Of vulnerability be exposed
For she knows that being vulnerable
allows others to be vulnerable
Letting others know they are not alone
This sharing creates waves of healing
that permeate the air
Inspiring all who are open to receiving

She’s on fire means
She knows when it’s worth the effort to
Engage in disagreements
She knows when being kind is the way
She knows that there are times when
Not being kind is the way
She no longer argues with those who
Are committed to misunderstanding her
She no longer tries to convince
Someone of her beauty, her worth

She’s on fire means
She has mastered the skill
Of knowing when to stay
And when to walk away
She walks away from toxic, one-sided, dead-end,
low vibrational relationships and friendships
She knows when to say, “I’m done”
She actively works on detoxing the part of her
That resonates with toxic people

She’s on fire means
She has mastered the skill
Of setting boundaries
Of knowing when those
Boundaries are not being respected
She knows when to leave
Burning down the damn bridge on her way out

She’s on fire means
She shares secrets with her skin and bones
With her blood and her heartbeat
Together they know
The older she gets
The quicker time moves
They know the finish line of life moves ever closer
She has decided not to waste
Any more time stopping herself from
Being moved by art, nature, music, poetry, words
Whatever it is
She will permit herself to feel it
She will allow it to express outwardly
She will no longer hold this inside of herself
No longer hold this inside of herself
Inside of herself
Herself

She’s on fire means
She will absolutely not be acting her age
Because what the hell does that even mean?
She will tell other women
How absolutely beautiful they are
How absolutely fucking amazing they are
How absolutely on fire they are
She will never use other women for kindling
In burning down what needs to be burned down

She’s on fire means
She allows herself to fully embrace her style
She will not be a paraphrase
In someone’s life
For she is the whole-ass story
She knows that there is magic
In showing others her true self

She’s on Fire means
She has been to hell and back
Where she collected the ashes of past struggles, past hurt and trauma
To use as confetti whenever she celebrates
And she brought back fire-tinged glitter
To sprinkle on her sisters when they need fire
she has stepped into her true, fluid chameleon self
she has released worry about what others think
Released
worry
About
What
Others
Think
For this is true freedom.
This is true freedom
True freedom
Freedom

And it is fucking glorious.

Camilla Downs, 2024

Closed Eyes – Thomas’s Poetry

May 7 2024

Thomas’s poetry professor created this book for the students, one poem from each student. He used Thomas’s poem title for the title of the book. 🥰🥰🥰

You’ll have to take my word for it that Thomas’s poem is incredible, as they don’t want to share it. My eyes leaked liquid love after reading it. ❤️🥲❤️ Thanks @unclewaltsbeard for creating this!! 🎉🎉🎉

She’s on Fire – Fundraiser for The Beauty Project Foundation

We’re coming in hot! 🔥❤️‍🔥🔥

She’s on Fire, A women’s variety show!

Music, Art, Dance, and Poetry

I’ll be hosting the open mic from 3:30-5:00 and will also be sharing poetry on the main stage.

We are coming together to celebrate creativity, talent and self expression in all the different ways it looks like for women. This is a fundraiser for The Beauty Project Foundation, creating access to beauty services for people experiencing financial distress.

Please join us on Sunday, May 19th 2-7pm at @abbyshighway40

Get your tickets ahead of time and learn more at WomenOnFireReno.org

 

Throwback Post: Do You Act When Moved to Share Kindness

**THROWBACK POST**

November 12 2013:

Around the time of Thomas’ birthday he so gently asked if he could have an ice cream cone as a birthday treat while we waited for Lillian to finish her therapies. I reminded him we had ice cream at home and that he could have some. He said, “Okay, that sounds good.”

Lillian’s therapy center is only seconds from the fast food place that has soft serve ice cream. After I parked, I filled my mind with thoughts of abundance and generosity and changed my mind. After all, it was only a $1 cone.

As I turned into the parking lot a homeless person was sitting on the curb. In addition to ordering the ice cream for Thomas, I ordered a chicken burger. At least, I think it was me. I felt an overwhelming urge to order that burger and give it to the person we had just passed.

I had Thomas hand it to him as we pulled next to him. I have NEVER done this before. The man thanked us many times.

As we drove off, I told Thomas that it doesn’t matter the reason that man is sitting there or even if he is really homeless. I felt moved to share kindness and I did. I was going to use that money to attend the Dr. Temple Grandin lecture on Thursday night. This felt more powerful and important.

I explained that we never want to NOT share kindness due to judgment of another or for fear that our kindness will not be well received. Once we perform an act of kindness it’s really no longer our business. I’m sure Thomas will remind me of this beautiful moment just when I need it most. Here’s a picture of him with the ice cream on that day … 11.12.13 … He even shared some with me! xoxo

I posted about this on social media. A friend in Texas saw the post, and without telling me purchased two tickets for the Temple Grandin event. She only told me after they were purchased. What a gift!

Perfect Ending to the 2024 National Poetry Month

May 2 2024

We ended National Poetry month at Prim Library in Incline Village (Tuesday, the 30th). The gorgeous @seemedisco emceed the event, and we all shared awesome poetry. It was wonderful to share poetry in a different venue. ❤️🎉❤️