Nattie Writes

Still wordless, after all these years

Natties Daddy — Fri, 07 Jun 2013 06:34:38 +0000

I often try to think of something to write on these pages and every time it seems that I have already said everything that I can. I do have thoughts and memories but so few of them come with words.

On this past Memorial Day, I was thinking about my cousin who died in Vietnam. A few years after that traumatic event I picked up Natalie at school and we stopped to see the traveling Vietnam Memorial wall. That’s when I took the photo above.

I never asked what she was thinking at that moment. Allen had been gone five years when she was born, but I’m sure that she felt some connection. After all, she would later celebrate the 100-year accomplishments of Bob Hope. And when Anthony Berger suddenly passed at 44, she remarked how that was far too young. And when we heard the news–which happened to be three days before her 33rd birthday–that Peter Boyle was no longer with us, she observed that it was hard to believe that he was gone. Yes, ironies can be intriguing.

Although I would like to take credit for passing some of my writing aptitude on to her, she took what little she was given and ran with it. Her willingness to express her thoughts and feelings far exceeded anything that I ever wrote. And this is no exception.

Yes, I have many thoughts and memories, but the feeling that always comes to the front is the pride I feel when I read the wonderful words so many of you share. Thank you all, so very much!–Nattie’s Daddy

Happy Birthday, Natalie!

Natties Daddy — Sat, 15 Dec 2012 14:49:08 +0000

(art by Cousin Mark Webb)

29 years and holding…forever.

Happy Birthday, Annabelle Rose!

Natties Daddy — Sat, 14 Jul 2012 21:22:56 +0000

Nattie’s little girl is 12 years old, five-foot tall, and almost as beautiful as her angel mom.

She is also an Honor Roll student who enjoys reading and journaling.

Oh, dear…

(Photo by Grandma Mary)

Five years and counting…

Natties Daddy — Thu, 07 Jun 2012 14:13:55 +0000

This is where I feel compelled—even obligated—to write wisdom and inspiration. But each year I come up empty. So, again, I can only thank each of you for your wisdom and inspiration, love and support. Words cannot express the gratitude I feel when I read your recollections of times spent with Natalie Rose, and your tributes to her memory.

I thank God for all of the memories. Some are heartbreaking, but many are quite good.

Proud to be Natie’s Daddy.

Happy Birthday, Natalie!

Natties Daddy — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 00:01:22 +0000

I can’t think of many words that haven’t been said already. But it doesn’t seem possible that this is the fifth year we’ve had to celebrate your birthday without you. Or that it was 38 years ago tonight that we welcomed you into the world. And the nurse handed you, to your mother and asked us, “What’s her name?”

And the next day I sat in the hospital room, held you and watched some guy they called “Juice” set a new NFL season rushing record.

That was a much happier time. Or more innocent. Maybe ignorance truly is bliss.

But we know you no longer feel the pains of the body you left behind. And you probably saw Wes move the family so Jonathan and Anna could attend better schools. They seem to be thriving, making new friends, and growing like Hoosier corn in the summertime.

That makes us all happy.

We love you, and will miss you terribly…until we meet again.

Daddy

Merry Christmas!

Natties Daddy — Fri, 25 Dec 2009 00:00:00 +0000

…to all of you from Natalie’s family. Thank you for all you have done to welcome us into your hearts. Just as you did for our Nattie.
May all your kindness be returned a hundredfold. God bless!
’til we meet again…{{{{{Y’all!}}}}}

Is that all there is?

Natties Daddy — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 13:28:41 +0000

(Originally published on Thursday, June 21, 2007)
Thank you (have I said that before?) for continuing to visit NattieRoseWrites.com. I had no intention, I can assure you, of becoming a blogger when—less than a month ago—I posted my first update in my daughter’s stead.
Many of you have thanked me for continuing to post. Surely you have noticed that I lack a certain quality that made this site so popular and its author so well loved. I ain’t Nattie…OK? (Insert smile, here.)
Sometimes, we parents tend to think of our children as extensions of ourselves. Although we know better, we expect them to adopt our friends, adapt our logic, to assess their situations and make their decisions in the same ways we would. This, however, is rarely, if ever, the case.
Our offspring are the products of their genes and environments, not ours. My Natalie did not get her sweet optimistic spirit from me.
But Natalie isn’t blogging anymore. And, now, the updating is done. Although we will continue to grieve indefinitely, we have said our goodbyes. her “Hobbit House” is empty, her accounts closed, her books donated to her church and her library.
Jonathan and Anna miss their Mom, to be sure, but they now live with their dad and look forward to their birthdays in July.
All we have left are memories, a few photographs…and her written words. All I have left to say is a polar opposite to what you have come to expect to read, here.
I know that Nat is having the time of her life, but all I want to talk about is how unhappy I am. I feel sorry for myself—to say nothing of her mom, her kids, her extended family and all her friends—because the world just isn’t the same without her.
Because many people still visit daily, I don’t intend to remove this blog anytime soon. Fortunately, I am a minority investor in the box that serves the site, and the domain is registered for a few more years.
But I also know that those readers will soon fade away if new material is not added frequently, so I had an idea…
Thanks to Heather, Joanne and Cynthia from W@H, and the internet “Wayback Machine,” I have the posts published on the original “Nattie Writes,” dating back to mid-2003.
I also have some things she wrote in the years before blogging became such an important part of her life and yours.
If you would like me to periodically post this material—some of it previously published, and some of it not—let me know. Otherwise, I cannot imagine that you would be interested in anything more that I could add.
Thanks for caring! (((((Y’all!)))))

(December 17, 2009—Well, here we are again… Second verse, same as the first… Is anyone interested in a repeat performance?
I wish I had something new to offer. More than that, I wish Nattie were here, writing her own words of insight. I’m batting zero for two.
Though only a fraction of what the traffic once was, a significant number of unique visitors still stops by this site daily. Who are you? Are you looking for something new or another serving of the original? Or is it time to lay her words to rest, as well?
Who is interested in supporting “Team Nattie” at next year’s Grant County Relay for Life? What about her church’s Rose Reading Garden? I am reluctant to ask for gifts at this time of economic uncertainty, when all of you have friends and family of your own who demand your attention. If anyone is interested, I can re-post that information. Shall we continue? Let me know. Please. And thank you!
Meanwhile, may this Christmas season be most merry for you and yours.)

Happy 36th birthday, Natalie

Natties Daddy — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 08:24:37 +0000

A Card from a Lifelong Friend

Natties Daddy — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 10:30:09 +0000

(Originally published on Monday, June 18, 2007)
I owe a debt of gratitude to each of you for your good wishes and wonderful comments in Nattie’s memory. I also received the following by “snail mail,” and now pass it along to you, her friends worldwide. (Thanks to Joy; credit to Hallmark)—Nattie’s Daddy

A rose may lose its bloom,
But still the fragrance lingers long.
A bird may fly away,
yet we can still recall its song.

So when someone who is loved departs
to join the Lord above,
They’ll live and laugh and be with us
in memories of love.

“Your days of mourning will come to an end.”—Isaiah 60:20 (MLT)

Comments
((hugs)) glad to see you posting.
Posted by: Jamie at June 18, 2007 03:06 PM
She will never be forgotten, that is true. Thank you so much for updating and letting us know everything that has been going on. I told the girls that you all have been amazing and wonderful for thinking of us, when you don’t have to. ((hugs)) and prayers continue.
Posted by: Stacey at June 18, 2007 04:07 PM
You have no idea what it means to me (us) that you, Nattie’s Daddy, continued to keep us posted. Thank you so very much.
Posted by: Dawn at June 18, 2007 05:35 PM
This heavenly blue butterfly
will fly high in the sky,
higher and higher.
The sunlight will touch the blue
on its wings until it seems to disappear.
We think it is gone,
because the blue of the butterfly
is the exact same blue of the sky.
We think it is gone,
because our eyes are too weak to see—
and it is difficult to believe what we cannot see.
But the blue butterfly is not gone.
It is still flying, higher and higher,
nearer the sun. Blue against blue.
For now and forever.
- Marjolein Bastin
Posted by: Heather at June 18, 2007 07:09 PM
((((((Nattie’s Daddy))))))))
Thank-you so much for posting this. It’s comforting to see Nattie’s blog being updated.
Posted by: Sara at June 19, 2007 07:29 PM
Oh my goodness, how did I not know this beautiful soul?? I have been a member of PBS for quite some time and have been reading all of Nattie’s entries and all about her….she and I would have been very good friends, my loss:( My heartfelt thoughts and prayers go out to all those that loved and cared for this wonderful person. I am so very sorry for your loss.
Pam
Posted by: Pam at June 19, 2007 08:12 PM
I really just came upon this blog by chance, but I think there was no mistake there. The beautiful words here from both the deceased and loved ones have encouraged me in my own fight against a disease. I realise that it is so important to be thankful for everything we have in life and have the faith that God will heal. Thank you for making this available for me to “accidentally” find. My condolences to your entire family and all friends.
Posted by: Emily at June 20, 2007 01:41 PM
Though I cannot take your pain from you, I can share it.
Posted by: Joy at June 20, 2007 05:31 PM

Ashes to ashes, dust to dust…

Natties Daddy — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 14:53:46 +0000

(Originally published on Friday, June 15, 2007)
The sky was clear, the sun was bright and the grass was dusty. A small group of Carters, Wootens and Yorks gathered this morning to say our ceremonial goodbyes to Nattie’s earthly remains. Her grandmother Julia read the following words:

We know this small urn holds no “ordinary” ashes, darling. They’re all we have left of your beautiful life, and we’ve come to place them where we knew you’d want them most of all—near your beloved Grandma and Grandpa Wooten.
And, no, that isn’t all we have left—we have beautiful memories of your valiant spirit, your wonderful testimony of faith and trust in God, and your radiant triumph over all the pain life brought you.
The word “beautiful” has been used with purpose—that is how we will always remember you—our beautiful little girl…our Natalie Rose.
Rest in peace, darling; we’ll see you “in the morning.”

Then we took some pictures, exchanged a few more words and tearful hugs, and went our separate ways. Angel and Karla are helping Mary clean out the “hobbit house” apartment.
Four weeks ago today, Natalie phoned to tell me she was sick. What happened?—Nattie’s Daddy

Comments
HUGS TO YOU ALL
Posted by: Heather/DB at June 15, 2007 03:56 PM
(((Nattie’s Daddy)))
Posted by: Cheri at June 15, 2007 04:10 PM
This whole episode has been so surreal. I can’t imagine what it would be like from a parent’s perspective. Again, I will be praying for you, Aunt Mary and the rest of the family. We will never understand this side of heaven, but God’s plans are perfect. I know we will see Natalie again.
Posted by: cousin mark at June 15, 2007 04:11 PM
It’s the hardest thing – to try to reconstruct your life without Nattie Rose. We try to go on – to pick up where we left off – to live. Yet the best we can do sometimes is just keep putting one foot in front of the other.
Blessings on you all. Like Cousin Mark says, we’ll meet again!
Posted by: Joy at June 15, 2007 04:32 PM
My heart goes out to you all and my prayers are said for you all. ((hugs)) I wish I could do something to take the pain away, but I know I can’t. I will think of and pray for you all often.
Posted by: Stacey at June 15, 2007 04:39 PM
Much love and hugs as you move forward. Know that you are being prayed for daily!!!
Posted by: Leann at June 15, 2007 06:40 PM
*shakes head* It just feels so wrong. It’s all happened so fast. My heart and my prayers and my tears are with you.
Posted by: Jojo at June 15, 2007 06:49 PM
I wish I had the right words or that I could make it all better for you, Mary and all who soo deeply love her…but as another has said, sometimes the best we can do is put one foot in front of the other…please KNOW, you are loved and prayed for often…
Posted by: Cynthia at June 15, 2007 07:23 PM
(((((GEOFF)))))
Posted by: Heather at June 15, 2007 08:29 PM
I reinterate what others have said — PLEASE know you are loved and prayed for often. As hard as it is for us to think about rebuilding without Nattie, we know is is so much harder for you.
Posted by: Maria at June 15, 2007 08:45 PM
Everyone who’s posted before me have said it much better than I can. I truly think one day God will make it all clear, but for now, I shake my head in disbelief. You are being remembered in many prayers by people who live literally around the world.
Posted by: vickig97 at June 15, 2007 08:54 PM
I am so glad you were able to lay her to rest today, in a manner befitting a princess. I will miss her until heaven.
Posted by: Pattie at June 15, 2007 10:53 PM
Geoff, thank you for allowing us to share in your celebrations and your grief. You are a wonderful man, and a special family, and I thank God that Nattie had you for 33 years.
Please don’t hesitate to ask for anything.
God bless!
Posted by: Valerie at June 16, 2007 12:02 PM
Prayed a prayer for you to have a happy father’s day! Thinking of you. Thanks for the posts that you have shared.
Posted by: Nancy S. at June 17, 2007 01:56 AM
Nattie’s daddy…Thank you for continueing to post things on Nattie’s site. I think she would be proud that you have continued to do this in her honor. I think its awesome!! I will miss her sweet spirit that I saw every Sunday she was in church.
Dee
Posted by: Dee Hurst at June 17, 2007 07:40 AM
Nattie’s Daddy, I’m so glad you’re posting here. You’re being remembered often in many, many prayers.
Posted by: Vicki G. at June 17, 2007 06:24 PM
I know Nattie would want it said, “Happy Father’s Day.” And she’d *really* want the happy for you.
Posted by: Jamie at June 17, 2007 06:58 PM
I was just thinking of you on this Father’s Day. I can’t imagine what it feels like, but I know it is not good. So, I am sending a cyber hug your way.
Posted by: Heather at June 17, 2007 10:09 PM
We’re praying for you, Uncle Geoff! You are loved! Michelle
Posted by: michelle at June 17, 2007 11:06 PM
Happy Father’s Day.. my prayers and thoughts are with you on this day, and everyday to come. y
Posted by: Erik at June 18, 2007 02:30 AM
Natalie was such an encourager for us women at Curves. Who knew all that she was going through? SHE preached the most uplifting funeral service I have ever heard. Thank you, Nattie. I won’t forget your positive spirit, God’s Girl!
Thank you, family, for the book donation to the Alex library, which she frequented on a nearly daily basis. Her love of reading is “legendary”-parents, you no doubt instilled that in her.
In her brief time with us she touched SO MANY lives in wonderful ways. We are privileged to have known her.
Sending my warmest thoughts & prayers to all her family and friends.
Susan
Posted by: susan at June 18, 2007 08:30 AM
We just got back into town, so my Happy Father’s Day for you is a day short.. Sending you hugs, love, prayers, and a world full of WAH love to you. You are woven into our hearts. Love, Cathie Jo
Posted by: Cathie Jo at June 18, 2007 02:41 PM