Getting to Know Me: Answering Life's Questions and Finding Hope
Apr 07, 2021
Dear Friend,
In my recent interaction with a company I collaborate with, they had me fill out a questionnaire that shed light on my journey, motivations, and experiences. I found it rather insightful, and I thought it would be a great idea to share these questions and my answers with you. Let's dive into some thought-provoking questions and the heartfelt responses they inspired.
1. Unforgettable Childhood Memory
- Question: Do you have a simple childhood memory that you could never forget?
- Answer: When I was 8 years old, my family moved to Argentina for 3 years. I vividly remember my first day at school with children speaking a foreign language I was trying to learn. It felt like all of the kids in the entire school formed a mob around us our first time on the playground. It was very intimidating and I remember wishing I could just disappear. It did get better, but I wasn’t used to such attention.
2. Childhood Dreams
- Question: Which of your childhood dreams was the first to die?
- Answer: I wanted to be an astronaut when I grew up, but I found I did get a little nauseous on some roller-coasters and figured I’d never be able to withstand astronaut training.
3. Favorite Book Character
- Question: Who is your favorite character from the book, Edenbrooke by Julianne Donaldson?
- Answer: I love the heroine of the novel, a young, beautiful young lady by the name of Marianne Daventry who is grieving the death of her mother and being left with her grandmother while her father when to France to deal with his wife’s death. She misses everything about her former life, and feels she is not particularly great or noticeable in any area of her life compared to her twin sister Cecily.
4. Keys to a Happy Marriage
- Question: Being married for 24 years, what's the best way to ensure a happy marriage?
- Answer: My husband asked my father for advice after we first got married. We were both surprised by his answer, but have found it to be the best advice. “Put God first and your spouse second.”
5. Supporting a Child with Autism
- Question: What are the best ways a parent can support a child with autism?
- Answer: Each child with autism is unique. It is important to learn to communicate with them, even in simple ways (if they are non-verbal). When they feel understood and that they can have and make choices, it decreases frustration. Also, since these kiddos often don’t sleep well, I strongly recommend that the parents find things which will help them (and then) sleep better. The better everyone sleeps, the more behavior improves.
6. Inspiration Behind "Normal for Me"
- Question: What encouraged you to write your book, "Normal for Me"?
- Answer: I got the initial idea from my sister-in-law, Jenny. After telling her something I had learned parenting my special needs kiddos, she said, “You should write a book.” I think I laughed because I was in survival mode and had no time or extra energy to write. But that thought stayed with me, and God is persistent. I kept thinking of all of the other parents who feel completely alone and forgotten raising special needs kiddos, and I knew I needed to share some of the wisdom and hope I had—that we can make it.
7. Challenges in Interviewing People
- Question: What are some challenges you face while interviewing people?
- Answer: Some people talk too much, and for others, it's like pulling teeth to get them to share their story.
8. Keys to Hosting a Successful Podcast
- Question: What are the keys to hosting a successful podcast?
- Answer: Releasing a podcast consistently, good audio, and being willing to be open and honest about you and your story.
9. Choosing the Name "Stories of Hope in Hard Times"
- Question: How did you come up with the name of your podcast, "Stories of Hope in Hard Times"?
- Answer: I went through several title ideas and polled my audience, letting them pick the final name. I wanted the name to be able to tell what exactly the podcast was about.
10. Recalling Difficult Times for "Normal for Me"
- Question: Did you find it difficult to share your journey from grief to peace and hope in your book, "Normal for Me"?
- Answer: Oh yes! I find it interesting that we often forget the battle scenes of our lives. We remember they were hard, but we forget the details.
11. Steps to Motivate Yourself When Hope Fades
- Question: What are the steps to motivate yourself when you lose your hope?
- Answer: One of my favorite quotes about hope is by influencer Dr. Benjamin Hardy. He said, “You can’t have hope without a goal.” Establishing even a simple goal and achieving it boosts our self-confidence. Then you set another little goal and do that. One of the keys is making sure your goal is something you can accomplish independently of other people (so you are not dependent on their success or failure to help you—only on yourself). By setting and accomplishing little goals, we begin to build hope back.
12. Birth of Daily Hope Publishing
- Question: How was Daily Hope Publishing started?
- Answer: I launched it as I got ready to print and produce my book, "Normal for Me."
13. Proud Achievement in Your Career
- Question: What are you most proud of in your career so far?
- Answer: I am most proud of the fact that I have been able to juggle work and mothering at the same time—because there are times my kiddos still need help.
14. Upcoming Projects
- Question: Are you working on anything at the present you would like to share with your readers?
- Answer: I am releasing a booklet called, “The Mother’s Mite” for Mother’s Day this year, and I have a song I am releasing in the next month or two as well called, “Don’t Give Up.” Both the booklet and the song inspire hope for those who feel broken, alone, and like they need help.
I hope these questions and answers provide a deeper understanding of who I am, what motivates me, and how I navigate life's challenges. If you have more questions or thoughts to share, please don't hesitate to reach out. Thank you for being a part of this incredible journey of hope and resilience.
With love and gratitude,
Tamara
