lately, my heart has not fully been my own.
i always share it with the many people that i know and love, but since august 19, when i found out about their accident, it keeps going back, over and over and over and over again, to the nielsons. their story has raged through blog land and beyond, but in case you dont know, stephanie and christian (husband and wife) were in a private plane crash and both are recovering from severe burns. they have four children under the age of six. their story has touched many people, i see it everyday when i check her sister’s blog for updates. for me, it has not only touched my heart, but it has brought back the incredible pain, sadness, worry, and fear that we went through as a family when mckenna was burned three and a half years ago. my daughter is a burn survivor.
i think that this has taken such a huge chunk of my heart because i have gone through what they are going through, to a degree. i feel so close to them, in spirit. ive never met them, yet i worry everyday for stephanie and her husband, for their children, for her mother and father, brothers and sisters. i literally cannot stop my heart and my brain from thinking of them. every five minutes, at least, my thoughts and hope and worry for them wash over my body. and i know i am not alone. i know there are many many people out there that feel the same. and did for us also when mckenna was hospitalized. and i am glad for them, because i remember the support and love that i received. i felt like the entire world was underneath us, holding us up. the whole world was thinking about my daughter, worrying about her, just like i am now for them. i made it through everyday for my family because everyday i would come home and read the support that was sent to me. and it would make me strong enough to do it just one more day.
and if any of them may read this, i hope that i can be that for them. that thing that might help them make it just one more day. and i want them to know that healing will come. and that i wish there was something that i, a complete stranger to them, could do. to take away the pain and the fear and the questions. but all i can do is say, here, i was there where you are. and i made it through. and she made it through. and we all made it through.
for information on how you can help this family, should you have the means or desire to do so, go here.
I only read about this days ago and my heart has felt much heavier ever since. The reality that life is so fragile and can change in only a second has been confirmed time and time again, and it leaves me feeling so vulnerable. Their turn of events is heart wrenching, but it does seem that only good things can happen now… maybe, just maybe, the worst is over. The heart work has just begun, but the worst is over, I hope.
I never knew that Mckenna was a burn victim… I’m off to read about that now. I hope this family reads what you wrote, because it’s filled with hope and they need every bit of that, I’m sure.
I had no idea… I just read the February 9th post from a couple of years back. I cried just imagining myself in your very shoes that day, and those days and years to follow. Mckenna is a remarkable child!
Your heart is using your experiences to share their experience. I have been an avid reader for about a year now and rarely comment but its moments like this that can bring us all together and all us to do something bigger then ourselves. I wouldnt have known about it if it wasnt for your heart. Thank you for sharing.
compassion for other people is such a miraculous thing. thanks tara.
I think them numerous times a day too and eagerly await the updates on her sister’s blog.
I am fairly new to your blog…in that I never comment. I too don’t know the Nielson family, but have been so sick about this accident. I didn’t know that you went through all of this with your daughter, I am so glad everything worked out so well for her and your family. I just love your photography and your style with photography. You inspire me. I loved your photo wall redo with the ttv. I would love to try to create something similar. Thanks for being you…such a nice person.
Happy Blogging!
oh tara…i had not yet heard about this. i am grateful to you for helping inform others so we can all join in on prayers and healing thoughts. my heart will not stop thumping since learning of their story. what a beautiful family they have that has all come together. wonderful souls.
I had no idea your daughter McKenna had such a horrible accident. I cannot imagine the hell that must have put you through.
I too have read about this family at several different blogs this week. My heart and prayers go out to them.
i love that you are sharing your heart.
it is the the thing that draws people to you.
it’s so full.
Margie
we were at a birthday party when we heard the news. the birthday girl and her husband (stephanie’s brother) left immediately in tears. thank you for posting this. thank you.
I read about this on another blog the other day. It is so sad. Thanks for the reminder. We all need to remember them in our prayers.
I am Stephanie’s sister-in-law. Thank you for this beautiful post. It always strengthens our faith to hear of stories like your daughter. We too feel very blessed by the outpouring of love shown to the family. I am going to forward this link on to Steph’s sister (CJane). Thanks again for sharing your encouragement and thoughts.
so glad you posted this tara. it is such a moving, tender, sad situation. i don’t know them personally either, but have been moved to tears daily since the day after that fateful accident. thanks for getting the story to more people. it’s a beautiful thing to see so many people do whatever they can to help. can you just imagine how many people are praying for them? that is really wonderful.
so glad mckenna and your family have come out on the other side of such an experience. i believe the post you linked is about when i started reading your blog. i was moved then as well.
What a sad tragic story. Thank you for sharing.
When I was burned many ages ago, I remember thinking it was the worst pain ever. Recovery drug on. And mine was so small when compared to so many I hear about. Prayers for this young family. They sound amazing.
i catch up on all my fav blogs over the week-end – and you had me in tears today – the photos the comments – i absoluminglylutely just plain love your photos. you do your own kids best. thank you for sharing. keep up your good blog and stay being a strong mom…. my eldest said “ok ok now’s the time to start trusting what you taught us”, don’t know if that was re-assuring or not. stay well
I totally understand Tara, My mind has been on them so very much as well.
My husband was burned horribly last summer, on his hands/face/arms and I feared
that he was not going to make it. It was the most horrific thing that I have ever been
through. so very scary! It has never left me, the haunting of that day and the following weeks after..and still to this day. I remember also when Mckenna was burned, how awful I felt for you and your family.
It’s a part of you that will never leave and you will forever be changed because of it.
I am praying and thinking nonstop about the Neilsons…they are such a beautiful family.
HUGS to you.
tara
Ah tara. You know, I’ve always sort of “known” you through twopeas over the years, and remember when people were posting that one of your children had had a terrible accident. I didn’t really follow blogs at the time and so was clueless as to what had really happened but remember posting a ” hope they get better” type of response on the thread. I can’t imagine what you went through and it’s touching to know that what you went through makes you feel for this family even more. I will keep them in my prayers definitely.
I’ve been checking your site for over two years now, and it’s crazy how blogging shrinks the world. I know Stephanie–her daughter was in my daughter’s Kindergarten and 1st grade class. She’s also close friends with some of my close friends. You have so many readers it’s great that you posted her story. It’s something that has gripped so many people. So much is being done for her and her family and the more the word gets out–the more assistance they will get. If you want to get in touch with the family, let me know, I’ll pass on the word.
wow this is such a sad story – a long tough battle is ahead of them. they seem like such a sweet family. it is amazing, like you said, how even as strangers our hearts go out to these people. i am so sad for them both and their children. i am so glad mckenna is where she is, i hope the same for them.
My heart just aches for them. I read about them on a randomly found blog the other day and haven’t stopped thinking of them since. I’ve never been thru such a thing, so I can’t even fathom. I hope that they find strength in the kindness of strangers, such as yourself, who share their story so more people can be reached, touched, and send support.
Tara…thank you for sharing their story with me. I will say prayers for this family right away. I know exactly how you feel about having this connection with total strangers. I have been there in a different scenario and it is very heart wrenching….(((Tara)))
Tara, I had no idea you had gone through that with McKenna. What a horrible thing for all of you to experience. I have never followed the NieNie Dialogues, until recently when I heard of their tragic accident. Now, like you, I can’t stop thinking of their family. There is a lovely article about them in today’s New York Times. If I knew how to link it, I would. It’s heartwarming. Take care.
Hi T, Got your email. Thanks for the reply. Glad you got to meet Julie. She is a wonderful girl. After reading your entry here, I went to the website and have spent the past few hours crying and laughing through the posts and updates. I’m in awe at this families resolve to take care of eachother and get through. I can see how it hits so close to home for you. I remember when I lost my first pregnancy (before Spencer) at 17 1/2 weeks along. I was having a very difficult time and wondered why I had to go through an experience like this. One day I asked my mom and she said “Maybe some day, you’ll know someone who is going through the same thing they are going through, and you’ll know what to say and how to help them”. At the time I didn’t like hearing that I had to suffer so I could help someone else. I can’t tell you how many times I have been able to help woman and show compassion and empathy for them because I know, exactly how they feel. As I read your entry tonight, I thought of that. Maybe one of the reasons you went through what you did with Mckenna is because you are that someone who understands what this family is going through and can help through your experience, to get them through theirs. You were amazing then and are amazing now. Thank you for sharing their story. Love, Mar
Tara, thank you for this. I know just what you mean–about your heart residing elsewhere & your thoughts turning to the Nielson/Clark families every few minutes–and you put it so well. I hope they do read this & get a lasting shard of hope from your family’s burn survival story. I’ve also been a longtime reader of Stephanie’s, her sister Courtney’s, and her brother Christopher’s blogs. They continue to inspire me as they go through this difficult time. Isn’t it amazing how you can feel so invested in the lives of people you’ve never met?
Sweet Tara, I have been reading your blog for about a year. In that time, I wondered about Mckenna’s burns, but I never tracked back far enough for the story. I see how deeply touched you were by Stephanie & Christian’s story. Thank you for sharing it with us, but for sharing your story too. I know that I will never, ever leave my two year old alone in the kitchen with the stove again. I’ve done it before and I wanted to thank you for the wake up call you’ve given me and probably so many others.
I have been feeling the same way. I am not usually emotional, but each day when I check in on them I am crying. I feel for their kids and families, it is absolutely heartbreaking. I hope that all of the love and healing vibes that everyone is sending their way will get them through… :(
My heart goes out to both of your families, thank you for sharing…