We grabbed this in a total of 5 minutes, at dusk (which is basically code for DARK in this case). I love it times a million.
Reason number 900,376 that I love Gina Zeidler:
Us | The Nortons from Gina Zeidler on Vimeo.
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In 2010, our perfect *”Baby Gavin” returned to Heaven after losing a courageous battle with **Pertussis (whooping cough). We are eternally and profoundly grateful to the thousands upon thousands (upon thousands) of friends and strangers from all over the world, of all faiths and creeds, who united with our family in prayer during Baby Gavin’s horrific illness and who grieved with us and continued to petition God in our behalf during the dark days following his tragic death. You may read Gavin’s story as it unfolded by visiting my old blog here. I am committed to sharing my ongoing struggles with grief and our journey toward joy here on the new blog. I am always humbled and amazed by the continued outpouring of love and support. Thank you for sharing in our journey and inspiring us with your unceasing love! God is good!
*My brother Gavin passed away unexpectedly in 2007. With all these Angel Gavins, it can get a little confusing at times, so just know that when I refer to “Gavin” I’m referring to my wonderful brother. When I refer to “Baby Gavin,” it is in reference to my perfect son, both of whom I cannot wait to see in Heaven!
**You will periodically see me blog about The Sounds of Pertussis campaign. I am an unpaid spokesperson and am only compensated travel expenses where applicable for my involvement with this important cause. Join our fight against this deadly communicable disease at www.soundsofpertussis.com or like us on facebook at www.facebook.com/soundsofpertussis.
We grabbed this in a total of 5 minutes, at dusk (which is basically code for DARK in this case). I love it times a million.
Reason number 900,376 that I love Gina Zeidler:
Us | The Nortons from Gina Zeidler on Vimeo.
Above: Instax: Crew + me: @ the airport. As per every other second of our lives.
I know.
I’m sorry that this blog was completely hijacked by my sudden genealogical mid life crisis (of sorts). We’ve all been completely and totally saturated by The Generation’s Project, but I’m happy (and very sad) to report that the journey has officially come to a close. . . though truth be told, in my actual life and heart, it’s only just begun.
To say, AGAIN, that my involvement in this project has changed my life sounds ridiculously trite in contrast to the true feelings of my soul.
I will never be the same.
Above: Instax: The last scene of the episode was filmed here in Phoenix.
It was SO refreshing to have my family involved.
Missed them like crazy.
1. We are closer to those who have gone before us than we might think. They care about us and are very much invested in the types of lives we lead. (I KNOW how absurd that must sound, but this experience has shown me that it is, in fact, truth.)
2. We should live each day in grateful tribute to those who have gone before. . . family yes, but also, leaders, innovators, heroes of all shapes and sizes, even the lost, lonely and forgotten. . . and on and on and on. We have been given MUCH; we have MUCH to be grateful for.
3. A grateful heart, is a happy heart. A grateful heart is NEVER a victim of circumstance and can withstand even the cruelest occurrences in life with courage and even joy.
4. Being anxiously engaged in the service of others, carries with it a deep sense of satisfaction (and hope) that cannot be found in any other way.
5. It is important that we keep a history, that our children, and their children, and on and on and on, might learn from our challenges and mistakes and rejoice in our successes. We must write, that they might know that the same courage and will to prevail that lives within us, is inherent also to them. We must record that they might know that they are LOVED, and even before they are consciously known, they matter.
Above: Instagram (NatalieNorton)
En route to the airport: final flight.
Officially bidding this journey a very fond aloooooha!
1. I will thank God for my blessings every, single day.
2. I will LOVE and CHERISH my living children. . . in honor of Almira. . . who could not do so for her own.
3. I will continue the legacy of service left by brave and beautiful Lucy. I will not wallow in grief or hide behind self pity and doubt; I will step forward and lose myself in doing good, every day, and always.
4. I will continue to write, that my children (and theirs) might know me, completely–that they might know my deep, abiding love for them and for that God who gives us life. I will write the TRUTH, as I see it, from the bottom of my soul.
5. I will seek God more completely. I will strive to know him more intimately, through sincere prayer, openly expressed gratitude, and daily study of his inspired word.
My sincere gratitude (and so much love you can taste it) to those who made this episode possible: Racquel, Kohl, Marcia, Jack, Katiene, my soul sister, Chantelle, and allllll the folks at Mirror Lake!
Aloooooha, N
Note: I left Quincy, IL today and arrived here in Logan, UT. I’ve completed my research on one particular line of my pedigree chart, and I’m now moving on to research another ancestor here in Logan. One word. . . er sound. . . Brrrrrrrrrr. Details to come. Stay tuned.
Today. . .
I’m simply not ready to talk about it. I’m too fearful that anything I might say could dilute the overwhelming significance of the experience. Until I’m ready to elaborate, I will leave you with this:
“And he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers.” Malachi 4:6
This power is real, it is important, and feeling it. . . is an honor (and a joy) I cannot yet find words to describe.
I left a part of my heart in Quincy, IL today . . . or perhaps I simply brought a piece of Quincy along with me . . . or maybe. . . it’s just a little bit of both. . .
Any way you slice it, I will never be the same.
Above family headstone reads: “Asleep in Jesus’ peaceful rest.”
You guys freaking better watch this thing because it took me 700 years to upload. And please, ignore the horrible color. Hotel lighting.
This is me in the Quincy Historical Library.
This is where I found mention of the birth of their 7th son and the subsequent bill of divorcement.
Adams County Court House Records Vault. Amazing right?!
This is where they keep all the oldest documents. . . As early as 1820!
More from the vault.
Bill of Divorcement. Hand written by my ggg grandfather, Elias Adams.
How amazing is that?! Completely remarkable, no?!
Um, the hand written part. . . not the divorce part.
See you tomorrow, beautiful Quincy.