Victoria’s Poem

A poem for my cousin on her special day

Victoria’s Poem by Tremaine L. Loadholt
Victoria’s Poem. Created with Canva. Photo used: Marcus (my younger cousin, Victoria’s brother), Me, and Victoria so many MOONS ago, but it is my favorite photo of us.

how can we turn back time
to days of old–when smiles
lifted from our lips and covered
our entire faces?

you were a ball of energy–
an amazing ray of sunshine
that splashed the earth with
joy and permanence.

I have counted the years
up in my head and in my
heart, and the more they pile up,
the calmer I become.

you are showing the world what
it means to grow in light . . .
to press forward when times
have a foot lodged into your ribs.

I will never know the weight of
your shoes but I know mine have
been heavy and kicking them off
as soon as I come home is a top priority.

Through cracked lenses, broken hearts,
failed relationships, and inevitable demises,
you conquer every storm.
God bless your resilience.
It is to be envied.


Happy Birthday, Victoria! 💙❤️💜

Photos From the Weekend

I am grateful for laughter and all the things that help me grow.

I love taking pictures while walking down my building’s stairwell. I was on my way to my little cousin’s basketball game. Saturday, January 18, 2025. Photo Credit: Tremaine L. Loadholt
My cousin Akua (Ah-qway-ah: Caison’s mom) & I at Caison’s basketball game. Saturday, January 18, 2025. Photo Credit: Tremaine L. Loadholt
Us again. Photo Credit: Akua M. Montgomery
Akua, me, and Ms. Doris (Akua’s Mother-In-Law). Saturday, January 18, 2025. Photo Credit: Akua M. Montgomery
Caison Michael Montgomery, getting ready to PLAY SOME D!!! Saturday, January 18, 2025. Photo Credit: Tremaine L. Loadholt
Caison, staying focused–eyes on the ball. Saturday, January 18, 2025. Photo Credit: Tremaine L. Loadholt
Caison, Liam (#25), & Harrison (#24), The Fabulous Three. Saturday, January 18, 2025. Photo Credit: Tremaine L. Loadholt
Sunday morning workout! I am down 13 lbs (currently 182 lbs) and I’m feeling great! Photo Credit: Tremaine L. Loadholt
At Jernee’s Groomer. They will remind you to sign in and sign out. They do not play! I love that they make it inviting, though. Photo Credit: Tremaine L. Loadholt
At Jernee’s Groomer, this little guy (he’s new!) sits in the corner. I thought he was real. Lol! Sunday, January 19, 2025. Photo Credit: Tremaine L. Loadholt

May the beauty of this day engulf all of you in its presence safely and provide you with peace, strength, and love. If you view this post directly via the web, you’ll see the new changes made to A Cornered Gurl. Thank you for your support and love throughout the years. Peace and blessings!

Have you gotten your copy of my new book: a collection of serial tales & flash fiction, Séduire (E-Book and Paperback) yet?

For You, My Love, On Your Birthday

Chrissy & I during one of my birthday weekends (maybe my 37th birthday?) in Orlando, Florida. Photo Credit: My cousin, Phil, her husband.

Two full years now
And I’m still trying
But it has gotten better
Without you

It’s not my best
But I do give it my all
Effort isn’t wasted
Without you

It’s colder now
I could use one of your hugs
October isn’t as scary
Without you

This morning, I whispered
To the air around me a
Happy Birthday song that sounded flat
Without you

But I wanted you to know
I’ll never forget, we’ll never forget
The perfect thing we had in life
Without you


Happy Birthday, Chrissy. I still miss you. I always will. But it hurts just a little (major emphasis on little) less without you. 🙏🏾💙

Happy Days

My oldest nephew Jeremiah. My youngest niece Sarai.

My baby cousin Caison and I. Christmas Eve, 2018.

And again.

My niece, the dimpled dream, Kali.

My nephew Jr., always frowning. Lol.

My oldest niece Tierney, the eldest of them all. This young one is so incredibly intelligent, it truly renders me speechless.

The two things that I am sincerely proud of is being an Auntie and a big cousin. If I could divvy out my heart equally to each of these wondrous beings, I would. Time and distance keeps us apart more than I believe that it should, but I am most grateful for photos, the phone, and the US Postal service.

through pictures, we share

an undeniable love,

one that will not die

Oh, Hi There 40!

Please, if you have it in you and the time to do so, stop on over and wish my big cousin a happy 40th birthday! I’ve always looked up to her and that has not and will not change.

Georgia Grown Southern Girl's avatarGeorgia Grown Southern Girl

Someone asked me, “What’s so exciting about turning 40? It’s just another day.” At first, I heard it and thought Hmm…maybe I AM putting too much into this whole birthday thing. Maybe I need to expect less and just be thankful to live to see it.

But then, I thought HECK NO! I’m not lowering my level of joy because someone else doesn’t think like me! (That thinking didn’t come instantly. It took me about a month to come to that realization!)

So, to answer the question, here’s why I’m excited about my 40th birthday.

  1. Every day is a gift. Living 365 more days is a blessing. Because so many people didn’t see those days get ticked off a calendar this year, I’m grateful for my birthday.
  2. I am ready to make myself happy. And if that means eating cake, wearing a tiara or being lazy all day, it’s a…

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