Hey friends! Hope you enjoyed some turkey and rest and shopping, cooking, decorating, football or whatever it is that brings you joy! I decorated my house and did a lot of cleaning. Today my best friend invited me to the play A Christmas Carol at the Guthrie Theatre and it was so sweet, amazing really. Not sure if the play has me in a sentimental state of mind but I'm feeling so blessed, at peace, and thankful this holiday weekend. My grandma is in the hospital, we visited her on thanksgiving and seeing her in a white hospital room with nothing from home. No pictures, no cards, no flowers, nothing. Just the machines that she was hooked up to and a small TV with bad reception broke my heart.
I went from a beautiful table and home filled with family to the hospital room where my grandma was. There was a stark difference and I just know there are so many people out there who are in that same place. With no comforts from home, no love notes or flowers. Some that maybe didn't even have family to come visit them on Thanksgiving. They are moms, dads, grandmas, daughters, sons, aunties, uncles, cousins, and grandpas. They have stories, beautiful stories. When I try to envision seeing my mom in the hospital, that's it, I'm done. It's hard enough to see your grandma... but I really can't image being in my dads shoes. I think about all the things my parents have done for me, their journey in life, where they have gone, what they have felt, the ups and downs, the memories, the vacations, the experiences, the fun. This holiday weekend I've even thought about what it will be like to be a parent myself (No pressure or anything from family=) Just lots of thoughts....on life, on living, on dieing, and maybe creating new life!
I feel pretty blessed right now. To have a home. To have my health. To have my parents. To have my loving husband and dog.
Live today to the fullest - what if it were your last day?
Your last moment?
Would you have loved enough?
Would you have made a difference?
When ever we are faced with a possible loss-it quickly reminds us of all the simple things that we have taken for granted.
I hate that it has to be that way.
It reminds us that we need to appreciate those we love.
AND SHOW THEM. Make the time to show them and tell them how special they are to you.
Don't sweat the small stuff, because in the end the small stuff won't matter.
Relationships, family, friends, memories, moments, conversations
These are the things in life that really matter. The moments. The love.
Not the stuff.
We all have so much to be thankful for, Let us carry that in our hearts this holiday season...
Hope you enjoyed thanksgiving!
With love,
Nat
Sorry a day late! My schedule is so nutty these days... I wrote this yesterday but didn't post! =(
Dear Brave Soldier,
Thank you so much for fighting for me. Thank you for putting your life on the line. Thank you for giving SO MUCH. The greatest gift. The biggest sacrifice. A gift. A gift for each and every American. You haven't been given enough "thank-yous." You haven't heard "I love you" enough. You aren't given enough hugs. You soldier, are so special. SO LOVED! I am appreciative. I am so grateful for you. What you have given has been noticed. I really hope you can know and believe this with your whole heart.
I send you love, a million hearts overflowing. In your darkest hour, on your loneliest day - I pray for your comfort. I pray for your safety. I pray for your peace. I pray for a million angels to surround and protect you by the most beautiful gold light! A light that shines out into the universe. A protection that will keep you safe, protection from the enemy, protection from negativity, protection from anything that would or could ever harm you.
Sending all my love to soldiers all over the world serving and remembering those who have served!
 |
| My Husband in Iraq! <3 |
My heart explodes with love, and joy and happiness as I think about the the letters, and phone conversations I shared with husband while he was in Iraq 5 years ago.
He's a pretty amazing man. He served as a medic, and also worked at the hospital in Balad while he was there for 22 months. It makes me realize how thankful we are that we aren't in those dark roller coaster days of missions and letters, prayers and sleepless nights.
We appreciate so much. We are so grateful.
For so many things.
So many give the ultimate sacrifice, and for the families who have lost - my heart goes out to you. May you be surrounded, and supported and wrapped in light today as you remember your loved ones.
For so, so many the war does not end when the war ends, it doesn't end when they arrive on American soil, it doesn't even end when they are done serving. It's a battle that will last a lifetime. I now understand the saying...
FREEDOM ISN'T FREE.
Thank you from the bottom of my heart to every soldier who has EVER served.
You are remembered.
Not just today.
But every day.
You are AMAZING!
Love,
Natalie
It's November, and with Thanksgiving right around the corner, I feel a definite shift. Warm drinks, slippers, fires in the fireplace, cooking, I want sleep more, and just plain hibernate. With Christmas decorations and gifts already advertised at stores and on TV... it's creeping into my mind slowly. I've even heard some say they've started their shopping, and noticed facebook posts with how many days left until Christmas! My name Natalie means "Christmas child" and I've always LOVED Christmas, the baking, the decorating, the giving, the wrapping, the music, the activities, the family, the food, the parties... whats not to love? Really?! =)
But before I get ahead of myself with the Christmas-holiday-who-biditty-whatty!
I think I want to focus on THANKSGIVING. It seems like everyone's forgotten Thanksgiving. Halloween was Monday and now it seems like it's on to Christmas?
I want to focus on Thanks... and Giving.
I'd like to start some new traditions that focus on these 2 words.
Giving thanks for everything I've been so blessed with.
GIVING. Beyond just your usual giving... (maybe you don't give at all?)
What can we do to give bigger?
How can we give more?
What would I give if I didn't make any excuses, if there were NO limitations, no restrictions. What would my bigness give?
It goes beyond money.
You can give your time. There are so many causes, so many organizations, you can virtually support whatever it is you love.
I started volunteering for the organization FREE ARTS. I had never heard of the organization but a friend referred me to it awhile ago, and when I called they were just starting training. So it was as if the stars aligned. It's an organization that works with the local shelters to create art programs for at risk and abused kids and teens.This month I want to give more. I just really feel like the world doesn't go around without giving.
I'm going to really challenge myself to focus on the giving, even more than usual. When we push ourselves to give more than we are used to giving...
Miracles Happen.
I want to give back, to the community I live in, my friends, to strangers, to the universe, to those in need, to those who are in pain, to kids, to seniors, to animals.
Give with prayer. Give with my time. Give with my resources. Give with my hands. Give with my heart. Give with my eyes. Give with my junk, ya my junk! (ha ha! I need to clean out my closets) Give my money. Give with my gifts.
Give Light, Give Love, Give Hope.
Can you feel it? Can you give any of these things today?
I bet you can. Look inside yourself, and around you and see where you are being called to give. Ask and it will shown.
Happy Giving!
Love and light,
Nat
