Comments on Pics and Kicks: because 200 characters are not enough.

Natalie, I just have one small but very important ...

2010-03-12T13:23:15.693-10:00

Natalie,
I just have one small but very important thing to tell you..............you are amazing!
Judy :)

Anonymous, YOU.ARE.MAGIC. Thank you for sending m...

2010-03-12T12:11:31.921-10:00

Anonymous,

YOU.ARE.MAGIC. Thank you for sending me this. It touched my heart. I will be praying for YOU today.

God will be so happy to hear from you again! :) :)

xx.

N

This post brought me to tears. I'm struggling ...

2010-03-11T12:44:28.661-10:00

This post brought me to tears. I'm struggling with depression and with trying to feel close to God again. Your words and your faith have brought me closer to Him today. Glory!

I will thank God for you today. And for your amazing blog. Your honesty in your pain. I will ask God to continue to be your strength as you suffer. You've made me want to pray for the first time in a long time. Again, glory!

To Natalie's anonymous friend: Dear One, I s...

2010-02-16T03:28:33.249-10:00

To Natalie's anonymous friend:

Dear One,

I so hope you make it this far through the comments. Please know that as I pray for anyone asking for prayers I am also praying for you; not because I know you or what you are struggling with, but because I know there are so many struggling and don't even know who to turn to. Please know that the praying community is a strong and compassionate one. Our hearts and prayers go out to each and every person who is grieving, is in pain, in danger or in a desperate situation whether they have made their needs known, or not.

May God's love bless you abundantly during this difficult time.

Hugs,
Kristin

You are an amazing woman of strength and I am humb...

2010-02-07T14:30:30.606-10:00

You are an amazing woman of strength and I am humbled by your response to "the note". Simply humbling. May Our Gracious God Bless And Keep You Natalie.

N. I feel bad that that person thought she felt y...

2010-02-07T10:36:25.937-10:00

N.

I feel bad that that person thought she felt you were judging. It's sad that she got all of that out of you just simply feeling sad. You have every right to have a meltdown, and to have a broken heart. Everyone grieves in different ways. I'm just a random person but, I think how you are doing is amazing. I am so sorry to the girl who feels simply so alone. I think the world prays for all babies. I don't always pray for ONE baby, I had a baby in the NICU for a month. I prayed for each baby, and for babies around the world who needed the prayer. I hope she knows that.

Please don't feel sad by what she said. Possibly POSSIBLY this is how she grieves. Not saying its right or wrong, just saying I hope you don't feel sad anymore. You did fantastic on answering her back.

I pray for the girl that she will feel comfort in people around her. I pray she will know people are praying for her. Everyone is prayed for, we just don't always know it.

loves from Utah

-Donna

Natalie, Why I love your blog: Just when I feel t...

2010-02-06T21:01:20.646-10:00

Natalie,

Why I love your blog: Just when I feel that I cannot be any more blessed, you make sure that EVERY day is a blessing in more ways than I deserve! Thank you! Your beautiful heart once again has opened a floodgate of love & prayers DOUBLED! Continued prayers for you & yours EVERY DAY!!! Thank you for your wonderful Christian example -- always! God Bless You & Yours!!!
Much love always,
~ Amanda ~

And as to the inspiration to this beautiful post (anonymous): Firstly, BLESS YOU! You too are loved & prayed for. Though I am far from the world, please know that someone in this world loves and cares very much for you. Dear soul, I cannot imagine how much you are struggling. I am so very sorry. Sorry for your struggles & troubles. And I am even more sorry that you are feeling so desperately alone. You have my LOVE and PRAYERS!!! Though I'm unclear of your particular situation (and certainly do not wish to pry), I will pray for you in any way I can! God Bless you for reaching out to someone -- and Praise God you reached out to dear Natalie! She'll see that you will always be prayed for! (And as will I) NO ONE deserves to feel alone and un-prayed for, and I wish I could be there right now to wrap my arms around you SO TIGHT! Instead, I will envelope you in love & prayers. Please, DO NOT HESITATE to contact me if there's every anything else I can do for you. Much love, and God's Blessings to you & yours.

All my love,
~ Amanda ~

While I have never walked through anything like wh...

2010-02-06T07:29:03.644-10:00

While I have never walked through anything like what you are walking through right now, I have dealt with feelings of feeling alone. I will say that the fact that your faith is so strong even in such turmoil and knowing that you are sincerely praying for us as we pray for you has made me feel less alone in this big world.

I pray that anonymous can feel that kind of faith and love from us and from God.

A tender prayer going out for Anon and Nat and Sar...

2010-02-05T22:15:33.137-10:00

A tender prayer going out for Anon and Nat and Sara tonight.

I agree with Crystal. It is very clear that you a...

2010-02-05T20:54:16.584-10:00

I agree with Crystal. It is very clear that you are suffering.. tremendously.. even though you are offering hope through the utmost devastation.

The juxtaposition of it all is what is so awe inspiring to your followers.

Many people who read, also realize how therapeutic these writings are for you and we are more than happy to be an audience for any bit of healing that WILL inevitably occur. And when you need a time out-- that's a given!!!!

Someone said that anonymous read that post in a unique way, probably due to her own circumstances... I agree. And then someone cried, "Foul!" and then you came along and said, "Nope, she's SAFE!" Look how much good it has sparked already. Help. Insight. Reflection. And one day... one glorious day, healing for others and in time, for you. We know you are broken. This blog is part of your repair shop. It's just inspiring to see you in here, pouring your heart and soul out to lift another's burden by sorting through your own. It's the best of ethos, logos and pathos! Aristotle gives you an "A"! And if you were up on a pulpit, there's an "A" + "MEN" on your report card.

Our loving Creator did not design us to mourn into perpetuity. All things are allowed to be felt immensely, for our good and ultimately for the good of others. You just make our head spin that you connected the dots so fast. In reality, along with the heart felt attempts at showing our continual support, we come here in awe of your leadership. You are very persuasive. That's why we are called followers.

Just hoping we are not too much of a distraction to what your purpose is. If we can take what you offer and pass it forward-- GREAT. But please don't let us get in the way...

Much Love always.

Dolly

Your blog is one of my favorite websites to visit!...

2010-02-05T16:04:32.893-10:00

Your blog is one of my favorite websites to visit! Although you have upbeat inspirational thoughts you write, I think it is pretty clear that you are missing your baby tremendously... but you have found a way to remember him by hope, and love and compassion. I really enjoy what you write and you seem so sincere to all that visit your blog. Crystal

Anonymous, you are in my prayers. I wish no one e...

2010-02-05T15:46:55.621-10:00

Anonymous, you are in my prayers. I wish no one ever had to experience such pain as I'm assuming you've had.

I think it's a good thing that this opened a dialogue and let people know that they don't have to feel bad about the way they are grieving. A blog will most likely never show what every day life is really like for someone.

Natalie, thank you for your continued inspiration and example.

Why someone would leave a comment like that, espec...

2010-02-05T12:12:28.988-10:00

Why someone would leave a comment like that, especially with what you are going through, I just don't know. Please don't let it affect you in any way! I love coming to your blog and reading your heartfelt messages. I haven't ever read them thinking, wow she's just all smiles and not sad enough" if anything, I can feel your strength,(which is such a gift to others!) and your despair. I think you have the blessing of being able to inspire others with your rock solid testimony and love for the Savior, which bands people together.

Amazing people will always have an army to rally behind them, and I think sometimes the adversary wants to try as hard as he can to break that down, even if it's through another's pain. You shouldn't have to apologize about the way you are expressing yourself. Look at all the people who love to read your words, are touched, and want to pray for you!

Keep doing what you're doing, I for one am better for it.

Nat, perfectly expressed. Don't apologize. An...

2010-02-05T11:56:54.672-10:00

Nat, perfectly expressed. Don't apologize.
Anonymous, you have prayers. LOTS of them. Please know that even though you may feel alone, you are not. We are praying for you.

natalie you are what God wants us to be. loving, c...

2010-02-05T10:52:18.445-10:00

natalie you are what God wants us to be. loving, compassionate and forgiving. even with your own pain and heartache the fact that you have chosen to be so kind in your reponse should be a lesson to us all. as i grow older i try not to judge people, it is not our place and we never know what their lives are like or the heartaches they may be suffering. your kindness and compassion may profoundly impact this person in the way it is intended, for good. you are an inspiration to many. you'll be in my prayers. with love, susan

Dear Anonymous, Natalie is the last person who wo...

2010-02-05T10:19:29.218-10:00

Dear Anonymous,

Natalie is the last person who would judge you for breaking down, regardless of how broken you became. Falling apart with grief is not unhealthy (I acknowledge that it doesn't feel healthy at the time). Everything may crumble and seem hopeless and empty and that's okay. It's not wrong to grieve, however ugly it may feel. It is a natural part of healing.
I am so sorry that you are feeling alone in your struggle. I will be praying for you, along with Natalie and all who are aware of you. God bless you to feel all of our love and His loving arms around you. May you continue to heal in the way that is best for you. You now have an army praying for you!

I have suffered and felt alone. I have silently ...

2010-02-05T09:42:13.357-10:00

I have suffered and felt alone.

I have silently wished my pain on another... and felt sorry for myself... and asked "why me?"

I'm certainly not proud of it and do wish that I had suffered as well as Natalie seems to be suffering....

I had some faith... but not enough.

Anonymous-I understand... completely.

I love the post from Natalies mom :)and Natalie- I hope you don't disappear for too long. Your posts bless me day after day.

Anonymous, Yes. These things do give me tremendou...

2010-02-05T09:38:07.960-10:00

Anonymous,

Yes. These things do give me tremendous strength. . . but I also think that people need to be aware that even with the strength I have, I am still devastated.

Strength does not rid the heart of pain and sorrow.

I think people may read the blog and have a misconception that I am all smiles and happiness. . . or at least most of the time. . . and I'm assuming that that makes people feel like "what's wrong with me? why can't I move on?" or like I must be in denial or like somehow my strength removes validity from their grief. I think that in realizing the honest truth that I do in fact suffer, deeply, that I too, despite my faith and strength, am in the abysmal pit of grief. . . maybe that will help people realize that It's ok to be sad. To be where you are every day. . . and no matter what it's ok. You are NOT denying your faith by being devastated. If so, I would be as guilty as anyone out there.

I think I may have given a false perception that may have been hurtful to people who are trying desperately to navigate their own grief. . . and for that, I am sorry.

Thank you for your kind words. You are right, we are deeply blessed with the knowledge that we have. Unfortunately, it does not rid our hearts of the pain. . .

lovingly,

Natalie

Natalie, As often as I pray for you, I will inclu...

2010-02-05T09:30:31.543-10:00

Natalie,

As often as I pray for you, I will include not only this person, but all others who feel alone in their despair, that they may feel the very arms of our Lord enfold them. God bless you for reminding us that many are hurting and need our continual supplications on their behalf.

Holly

Natalie, I think there are many grieving people ou...

2010-02-05T08:34:28.573-10:00

Natalie,
I think there are many grieving people out there who, quite simply, don't understand how you have managed to navigate such a difficult path so graciously.

I surmise that these people don't understand that you have far more than "the prayers of the world" backing you up. You have (through much work and personal study) an incredible and undeniable faith in things unseen. You have an abiding love for--and testimony in--Jesus Christ. You have experienced many sacred experiences that have allowed you "to see" beyond this mortal existence. You have made very sacred covenants and you have engaged in sacred ordinances which ENSURE the surival of your family unit. Which is to say, you are able to know UNEQUIVOCALLY that you will be with your dear Gavin again--that you will have the opportunity to raise him, that, together with his Daddy and his big brothers, youf family will continue on throughout the eternities. That promise has been made to you with assurity..and what a blessing that is.

I think that many grieving people have an abiding HOPE in such things. You are have blessed to KNOW of such things; for, again, they have been promised to you. To me, it seems that this is where the majority of your strength is coming from, and I would venture to say that this lack of understanding is where so many well-intentioned people see you through eyes green with envy. Perhaps a thorough explanation of what you believe is in order.

If the world is indeed praying for you and your family, you can count me in as part of that lot.

Warmly,
An Anonymous Onlooker

There is so much pain and anguish in "Anonymo...

2010-02-05T06:52:07.940-10:00

There is so much pain and anguish in "Anonymous"'s comment. Please do not be hard on her/him. Whatever they are going through must me horribly heavy. The weight of which only God can bear for them. I did not see the comment as cruel or angry, I just saw pain. I will pray for "Anonymous" as well, and I will pray for God's grace and healing...just like I have over and over for you and your family, Natalie.

Love XOXO,
A stranger from KS

Dearest Anonymous, Thank you for reaching o...

2010-02-05T06:48:07.461-10:00

Dearest Anonymous,

Thank you for reaching out--in what was probably the best you could come up with in that moment. Your words have given me an opportunity to look into my own heart and this is what I saw:

There have been days when I, too, have felt 'left out' and misunderstood--and in those dark moments, I haven't always been able to be my best self or to find the perfect words to say, "uh, I'm having kind of a hard time over here . . ."

There have been days when my pain was so acute, I've said things I didn't really mean-(and Oh! how I've wished that nobody else heard, and I could just have a quiet 'do over').

There have been times when I've judged harshly before I really understood . . .

When Natalie and Gavin were growing up, I used to always tell them this:

"Sometimes . . .
you have to look really hard at a person . . .
and remember . . .
that they're doing the best they can.
They're just trying to find their way, that's all . . . Just like you."

And do you know what young Natalie would usually say?
"Shut up, Mom!"

I was really good at talking too much--especially after it was time to shut up.

Anyway, thanks for helping me see these things. I sure hope you're feeling a little better today. I hope I've seen clearly here. I've prayed to be able to.

I love you,
Annie
(Natalie's mom)

[Quote is from my favorite movie: On Golden Pond.]

I have recently been reading your blog... inadvert...

2010-02-05T06:47:55.170-10:00

I have recently been reading your blog... inadvertently stumbled upon it. You are a truly strong person.... all that aside.... You are also a genius photographer... I could look at your lovely images for days. All the best to you and your family, I will continue to read, and thank you.

Oh Natalie, Huge hugs!

2010-02-05T05:57:05.468-10:00

Oh Natalie, Huge hugs!

Natalie- I am so happy to have just recently disco...

2010-02-05T05:54:52.722-10:00

Natalie-
I am so happy to have just recently discovered your blog. Your words everyday- as well as all the great articles you have written for photographers have been incredibly inspiring. Thank you. And I think your journey through grief will provide comfort to others who are going through the same thing- your written experience helps give words to that which is unspoken. I feel sad that anonymous took what you said as judging- I think sometimes we see things through the perspective we are dealing with and not as they really are. Hopefully, your bravery in talking about your loss will inspire anonymous to also reach out and share with someone, so that she doesn't feel so alone. Many blessings to you, Natalie!