November 11th, 2007 - April 7th, 2009
This beautiful picture has become the official goodbye-Madeline photo, posted on blogs across the country in honor of sweet little Maddie Spohr. I have no doubt that she looks just the same now, only the wings we could all imagine on her are finally there.
As I'm sure all of you have seen and heard from Twitter and various other mommy blogs, and my post from last night, Madeline Alice Spohr passed away yesterday. She was a beautiful, wonderful, sweet little girl, and she will be desperately missed. All of us in the blogosphere love and are praying for and sending our hearts out to Mike and Heather, and as per their request are asking that in lieu of flowers, you donate to March of Dimes in memory of Madeline.
I went to Flickr today to look at some pictures and I was overwhelmed by the comments people have left. My heart is broken for this. I cannot bear to think about it, and I cannot imagine what Mike and Heather are going through. I want very desperately to DO something, to change it or rewind or avenge in some way what I cannot believe is really true. And today I realize just why I am so destroyed by this.
Three years and two months ago, my beautiful, sweet friend Courtney passed away in a similar situation. She was born with heart defects and had many surgeries to correct her problems. We believed that things were finally okay, that although she'd continue to have complications, that we could stop holding our collective breath and be happy and hopeful. Then one day she went in for an adjustment on her pacemaker, and the next day, she was gone.
I remember arguing and screaming and cryin and yelling at God. I refused to believe that the vibrant, lively girl I loved like a sister could actually be dead. To this day, I can't think too much about her without crying. She left behind a twin sister, a younger sister, and her mother and father. A few months ago I went to visit her twin on their birthday, which is two weeks before the day of her passing. I visited her grave and let myself mourn.
I still ache over it, and my heart hurts when I think about the fact that yet another family is dealing with this tragedy.
Mike and Heather, we love you.
There is nothing that can be said that will take away the pain of what has happened, but one day I believe you'll see her again.
If you'd like to donate to Maddie's March of Dimes page, there's a banner just to your right with her beautiful, smiling face on it.
UPDATE: The amazing blog moms, dads, and friends of Maddie Moo have gotten together to make sure that her memory stays with us forever. Here is a list of posts from all over the blog world about the sweet little girl who touched our hearts, minds, and changed our lives.
A service in celebration of Maddie’s life has been scheduled for 2:30pm on Tuesday, April 14th, 2009. It will be held at the Old North Chapel at Forest Lawn Memorial Park, Hollywood Hills.
The link above has more information about this. Much love and gratitude to the amazing Meghan from AMomTwoBoys.com for getting all this information together. And of course, if you'd like to walk the March of Dimes in Maddie's honor, the walk is on April 25th, and the family asks that you wear purple. For more info on the walk or to donate money in Maddie's honor, click on the March of Dimes badge to your left.
Mike and Heather now have a mailbox set up for anything you'd like to send them, and here it is.
Mike & Heather Spohr
11870 Santa Monica Blvd. #106-514
West Los Angeles, CA 90025
There is also a paypal account you can donate to for any upcoming expenses. To help them out, just click the badge below.
Thanks again to everyone who has said and done so much for the wonderful family who lost their precious angel on Tuesday. Mike and Heather, we love you with all our hearts.
And guys? We have truly shown just how much the blogosphere loves and cherishes their own. In coming together to help the Spohrs, we proved to the world that just because we don't see each other on a daily basis does NOT mean that we as bloggers are not a community of friends who truly care for and support each other. I'm amazed at all that has been done, and I know I'm not the only one.
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