Why the Sea Turtle? 

The Meaning Behind the Sea Turtle

In March of 2026, my parents gave our family an incredible gift — a trip to Maui together. My brother and sister-in-law flew in from the Pacific Northwest to meet us there, and it became one of those rare moments in life when everyone slows down long enough to simply enjoy being together.

At that point in life, my husband and I were entering a new chapter ourselves. Our children were grown and beginning lives of their own, we had moved into our condo about three years earlier — the home we hope to enjoy for many years ahead — and after years of talking about it, I knew it was finally time for me to step away from that side of corporate life and build the business I had dreamed about for so long.

One morning, while my husband and I were walking along the beach, something suddenly popped up from the ocean. It was the tiny head of a sea turtle.

I immediately became emotional and excited because I knew that in Hawaiian culture, sea turtles are considered very special and symbolic of good luck, protection, perseverance, and guidance.

I turned to my husband and said, “That sea turtle just told me to quit my job and start my business.”

Then I started running down the beach alongside the turtle — staying far enough away not to disturb it — laughing, skipping, and thanking it like an excited child. That moment filled me with so much happiness, and somehow deep inside, it felt like confirmation that I was finally stepping into the next phase of my life.

That trip also deeply reinforced something else for me. Over the last several years, my dad has become more physically limited and now relies on a walker, wheelchair for longer outings, and other adaptive equipment to help make daily life easier and safer. While planning our Maui trip, we worked hard to make sure he was as comfortable as possible and able to participate in as much as he wanted to do. Seeing my dad so happy — surrounded by his family in such a beautiful place — meant more to me than I can fully describe. It reminded me that with the right support, planning, adaptive strategies, and encouragement, people can continue experiencing meaningful moments and making memories regardless of physical limitations.

That experience made me realize even more deeply how many people and families could benefit from the kind of support I can provide through my 32 years as an Occupational Therapy Assistant. Whether it is respite care, post-surgical support, mobility assistance, or adaptive travel guidance, my passion is helping people continue doing the things they love safely, confidently, and with dignity.

The image of that little sea turtle head popping out of the ocean will always make me smile and fill me with joy. It reminds me why I started Tracy Care Services — to help people continue moving forward with support, dignity, safety, independence, and joy.

The picture in the upper left was taken just minutes after we saw the sea turtle pop its head out of the ocean. I’m so grateful to have that photo because it will always remind me of that special moment and the joy I felt standing on that beach in Maui.

The photo below it was taken during a snorkeling trip with Maui Snorkeling, and it was truly one of the most incredible experiences of my life. We snorkeled alongside sea turtles, saw beautiful tropical fish, and every time you put your head underwater, you could hear humpback whales singing in the distance. It felt absolutely magical. We were there during prime humpback whale breeding season, and we saw more whales than we could possibly count, including mothers swimming with their calves and large males throughout the area. We even had the incredible experience of seeing an endangered Hawaiian monk seal come up onto the shore while we were relaxing at the beach one afternoon.

The family photo was taken on a beach in Wailea in March of 2026 with my mom, dad, brother, sister-in-law, and husband. My dad especially loved using the beach wheelchair because we had promised him that no matter what, we would help get him to the ocean so he could dip his toes in the water. Seeing him so happy and comfortable meant everything to us. You can truly see the joy on all of our faces. It was one of those unforgettable days that reminded me how important family, accessibility, support, and meaningful experiences really are.