Getting Real /
Sometimes I just FEEL too much to write anything at all. Like, maybe a list of feelings would work better than paragraph-form therapeutic writing it all out. But here I am, and I need to write it all and get it out.
Life really hands us ups and downs, doesn't it? There are so many joys here, but so many tricky little obstacles and big obstacles to maneuver as we head down this path called life.
I started writing a bit on Monday and Tuesday when I got news of the tornado tragedies, but it seemed I couldn't write or FEEL any more than I already have when I wrote about the other tragedies this year (here and here). It's not because my heart wasn't equally broken or because I hadn't any empathy left; rather, it was because my heart was too full to truly articulate anything at all. Those dear, sweet people of Oklahoma. I can only pray for them as they look for hope in the tragedy.
The thing is: I've felt tragedy before. Different in most ways, but the same in some. My brother died when he was 16, I was 14 and it was after three years of battling cancer. It felt so big. It felt like the whole world crumbled with it. Then the weeks kept going and people weren't talking about it anymore. A year, two years, more... it still felt so big to me. It still feels so big... it's a loss that cannot be recovered. He was my best friend and confidant. And then he was gone. But life kept moving. It keeps moving.
When tragedy comes to people like it has in bulk this year, I just FEEL so much for those families. The emotions they have to tread through and the loneliness of feeling that everyone has moved past it all except you.
Here's the thing: writing 16 years after my brother died, I can tell you. You are not alone in the heartbreak of tragedy like you may believe you are. People will move on from talking about it, donating toward it, creating news stories around it, but you can be assured that you are together in thinking about it. And together in feeling it whenever any similar story comes into your path. And tearing up because someone has just freshly experienced loss that rocks their whole world and now they will have to experience the heartbreak as well.
I'm so grateful for HOPE in painful times. It's knowing heaven is real and really having faith that kept me going, and here I am now: at a place in life where I know joy, yet comprehend the pain of tragedy.
For some reason, I clicked on this video this week- I don't usually, and it contributed to rocking my world of emotions. Similar ages, same type of cancer, different family, and the same- but different- pain...
More "normal" post coming your way soon, but it seemed I needed to get this out before I wrote any more about the "ups" of the week. And there were plenty of great "ups" this week, believe me. ;)
xo,
Kate
Inspired by: Memorial Day! /
Can't quite explain how thrilling it is too look at the calendar and realize that Memorial Day weekend has snuck up and is THIS weekend!! Whoohoo! We aren't traveling this year, but a Monday devoted to BBQ's and friends and celebrating summertime's sweet arrival is always a good one. These are my favorite summertime picks for ya:
Moments /
Emma Style: 01 /
photo credit: Silvana di Franco
I'm starting a new series here. It's called Emma Style. Emma is my cousin Erin's 4-year-old daughter who has some serious style, and I'm going to share it with you. Just the look, where to get it (or similar), and we can all be inspired together. Look for it every Sunday and pin your little hearts out.
Lucky you and me.
xo,
Kate
photo credit: Silvana di Franco
I Love Instagram: 01 /
I have a love/hate with most social networks, but the one that I almost always LOVE is Instagram. I love taking pictures, I love viewing pictures. Pictures are the way to my little heart. Obviously, following my friends is my favorite... I can always see what they're up to and how cute their kiddos are... BUT I also cannot get enough of the bloggers, artists, and photographers I follow on Instagram. There is no end to the talent out there, and it kind of feels like we get a glimpse into the "real life" of people whose work we so admire.
Here are just a few Instagramers I think you should follow:
(clockwise from top left)
1. ShopSweetThings- Bits of home, events, kids, food & all beautiful.
2. ModernKids- San Francisco photographer with a modern eye for design.
3. ChloeFleury- An illustrator who creates pretty paper masterpieces. I love the cheerfulness of her feed.
4. Pomverte- Everything is in French, but the styling of her every photo is impeccable. No one could make the word "hello" look more lovely.
(again, clockwise from top left)
5. SilvanadiFranco- She manages to make everything that is ordinary look extraordinary. She has that photographer's eye so many want, but so few have.
6. PetitsFournier- Photos of handmade perfection, lovely shots of products in process, travel, watercolor, and Anabel's life. The knitters are lovely ladies from Bolivia, and make their living creating dolls, toys and beauty.
7. SophieandLili- My favorite sketch-artist's instagram. Her doodles in notebooks should be in frames and her watercolors are perfection. Did I mention she makes dolls? So much good stuff here. Her Instagram also includes glimpses of her adorable daughters and "real life."
8. TeaandKate- Ohhh, such beauty in little things. Bits of life and Kate's children, their travel, and everything just gorgeous.
Happy Friday!! Enjoy your weekend!!
Love,
Kate
Ps. Feel free to follow me on Instagram too! xx