When I drafted this newsletter on Friday, I started out with the announcement of the title for my 2025 book. But then on Saturday, a man walked through Westfield Bondi Junction, a shopping centre I spent the best part of a day in just two weeks ago with my two daughters. The man stabbed eighteen people (according to latest reports), killing six and hospitalising twelve more. Five of the six people killed were women; one of those injured was a nine-month-old baby.
I'm on lunch and have tears running down my face. It's so sad for all this terrible loss from someone who was very unwell in the mind, no excuses, but sad. I'm happy your daughter is OK.
I'm also sending hugs for the loss of your Dad you are in my heart and mind! I still miss my Dad one year on, so be kind to yourself in this grieving process š š.
Thank you for this beautiful and thoughtful post. I am very sorry for your loss. Your father is still in the house; he is just in another room. And he lives in you and yours.
Natasha I'm so sorry to hear the passing of your beloved father. I've lost both of my parents. So I know that gut feeling that is just awful. Take time for yourself now, because now is the time for you to heal in your mind and in your heart. I liked reading your newsletter. Wow I feel so sorry for the people in Sydney. I see you taking small steps like putting out your newsletter and that's great. I like the title of your new book and I can't wait to read it.
Sending you so much love. Losing a parent in your 40s is one of the strangest most empty places I've been, even now over seven years later. Holding you and your dad in my heart xx
"... there is never any end to love." Gosh, I love this, Natasha! Love. And that's where Dad is, loving you from a place not far away. Big hugs to you. Losing a parent leaves a strange emptiness I've found.
I do love the title of the new book. It's a beauty.
Big love ... go gentle, allow yourself to feel the love from your loved ones hugs as well as giving it. Great hugs are one of the best things in life, me thinks. xx
Also, I finished Astrid Bricard yesterday and absolutely loved it! It has taken me a little while to get to it as I have a small baby now, but it was well worth the wait. I even forwent sleep so I could read it! Thank you for providing us with such joy- itās something we can all do with a bit more of these days.
Needless to say I am very excited about The Mademoiselle Alliance :)
The mass killing in the shopping center was scary and terrible and very unusual in your part of the world. Unfortunately, here in the U.S., such killings are more frequent, and the killers are more apt to be using guns. I'm glad you included this atrocity in your blog. One of my favorite books is Shelter on Place by Nora Roberts. She deals with the long-term effects of a mass shooting in a shopping center on the survivors and the relatives of the victims.
I am very sorry for your loss Natasha. Expected or not - as we have discovered this week, is absolutely tragic. Take care, one day at a time and sometimes it's one hour at a time. That's ok .
As a mother my heart breaks for the mothers who have lost loved ones in Bondi on Saturday. The baby that was injured and has lost her Mother is something that haunts me still. My thoughts and prayers are with these families. My condolences to you on the loss of your Father. On a lighter note the stack of books you showed us on social media has inspired me to read even more. I am half way through The Other Bridget and I just bought The Engraverās Secret. Keep spreading hope through your writing and book recommendations and no need to apologise for it. We all need Hope especially when something shocking happens. Take care xx Michelle B
As I read this in my lunch break at the retail store Iām employed in I have no words but complete sadness for all those people directly and indirectly affected by such a tragic afternoon. Life is so precious and we must liive and love like there is no tomorrow.
Thankfully there is good in many humans and I do take comfort in knowing that..
I am so sorry for your loss and send you a big warm hug and hope that you find peace in knowing he has gone to a peaceful place to rest and love you and your family from above.. take care Natasha
So many dreadful things are happening in this world, both far away and uncomfortably close.
Writing affords us an escape from these wobbly times, and reading helps us understand it.
Thank you for sitting down and writing your thoughts, Natasha, Iām glad it helped you because it helped me too š»
I'm on lunch and have tears running down my face. It's so sad for all this terrible loss from someone who was very unwell in the mind, no excuses, but sad. I'm happy your daughter is OK.
I'm also sending hugs for the loss of your Dad you are in my heart and mind! I still miss my Dad one year on, so be kind to yourself in this grieving process š š.
Thank you for this beautiful and thoughtful post. I am very sorry for your loss. Your father is still in the house; he is just in another room. And he lives in you and yours.
Natasha I'm so sorry to hear the passing of your beloved father. I've lost both of my parents. So I know that gut feeling that is just awful. Take time for yourself now, because now is the time for you to heal in your mind and in your heart. I liked reading your newsletter. Wow I feel so sorry for the people in Sydney. I see you taking small steps like putting out your newsletter and that's great. I like the title of your new book and I can't wait to read it.
Sending you so much love. Losing a parent in your 40s is one of the strangest most empty places I've been, even now over seven years later. Holding you and your dad in my heart xx
"... there is never any end to love." Gosh, I love this, Natasha! Love. And that's where Dad is, loving you from a place not far away. Big hugs to you. Losing a parent leaves a strange emptiness I've found.
I do love the title of the new book. It's a beauty.
Big love ... go gentle, allow yourself to feel the love from your loved ones hugs as well as giving it. Great hugs are one of the best things in life, me thinks. xx
Thinking of you and your family Natasha x
Also, I finished Astrid Bricard yesterday and absolutely loved it! It has taken me a little while to get to it as I have a small baby now, but it was well worth the wait. I even forwent sleep so I could read it! Thank you for providing us with such joy- itās something we can all do with a bit more of these days.
Needless to say I am very excited about The Mademoiselle Alliance :)
The mass killing in the shopping center was scary and terrible and very unusual in your part of the world. Unfortunately, here in the U.S., such killings are more frequent, and the killers are more apt to be using guns. I'm glad you included this atrocity in your blog. One of my favorite books is Shelter on Place by Nora Roberts. She deals with the long-term effects of a mass shooting in a shopping center on the survivors and the relatives of the victims.
There are so many sources of inspiration in this piece Natasha - thank you for writing it xxx
Love that new book title!
I am very sorry for your loss Natasha. Expected or not - as we have discovered this week, is absolutely tragic. Take care, one day at a time and sometimes it's one hour at a time. That's ok .
As a mother my heart breaks for the mothers who have lost loved ones in Bondi on Saturday. The baby that was injured and has lost her Mother is something that haunts me still. My thoughts and prayers are with these families. My condolences to you on the loss of your Father. On a lighter note the stack of books you showed us on social media has inspired me to read even more. I am half way through The Other Bridget and I just bought The Engraverās Secret. Keep spreading hope through your writing and book recommendations and no need to apologise for it. We all need Hope especially when something shocking happens. Take care xx Michelle B
My goodness! You have had much going on. Breathe. Make space. Let go.
Dear Natasha
As I read this in my lunch break at the retail store Iām employed in I have no words but complete sadness for all those people directly and indirectly affected by such a tragic afternoon. Life is so precious and we must liive and love like there is no tomorrow.
Thankfully there is good in many humans and I do take comfort in knowing that..
I am so sorry for your loss and send you a big warm hug and hope that you find peace in knowing he has gone to a peaceful place to rest and love you and your family from above.. take care Natasha
Sonya D xx
Oh Natasha, this newsletter is truly moving. You voiced what many mothers would be feeling. Thank you for your vulnerability. Sorry for your loss
Condolences for the loss of your Dad.
The world is a crazy place but we can't live in fear.
Love the new books title and can't wait to get my hands on it. Wishing you all the best.