Hey everyone, Tracey here. I’ve been working on something deeply personal and important to me, and today, I’m both excited and terrified to share it with you. I am starting a blog about life at The Little Shop and why it is so important to me and my family.

I hope this blog will be meaningful to many people, but I am doing this mainly for my kids, so they can better understand what makes their “madwoman” mom tick.

Sharing My Story About Multiple Sclerosis

One of the things I want to share in this blog is that I have Multiple Sclerosis, also known as MS. For a long time, I kept this part of my story tucked away behind the scenes.

I very rarely talked about my MS because, in my own mind, I always believed, “Nothing good comes from telling people you have MS.” But that stops now. The past few years have been good. I have helped, and been helped, by so many people. So I’m taking a leap of faith and sharing my story with you.

The Meaning Behind My Name

In the About Us section of our website, I talk about my mom’s disability. She also had MS. My mom named me Tracey because of its meaning.

“Born from the Gaelic surname Ó Treasaigh, Tracey is a gender-neutral name blessed with a courageous spirit. Stemming from the Irish word treise, meaning ‘power’ or ‘strength,’ Tracey is best defined as ‘warlike.’ Instilled with an unyielding dominance, Tracey cuts an ardent figure unafraid to face even the most formidable obstacles.”

Yes, I would say I have faced some formidable obstacles in my life, but I keep going because when I am told, “You can’t,” I know in my heart, “I can.” My mom knew that too.

Running The Little Shop With Strength and Purpose

So here I am, running The Little Shop. This is no easy task. In fact, it is the most demanding job I have ever had. But I am proud of my strength, resilience, and determination, and I am deeply appreciative of your support.

In this blog, I want to talk about many things, including what inspired me to begin this journey as a female business owner who, despite the obstacles, found the courage to pursue her dreams and make a positive impact in her own Little Shop world.

Thank You for Being Here

Thank you for listening to my story.

Tracey