That’s how long it’s been.
Seven months and four days.
A blink of the eye and an eternity all at once.
Two hundred eighteen days since Mike and Heather‘s world changed.
Two hundred eighteen days that I’ve prayed for them, for their family.
Two hundred eighteen days that I’ve struggled with God on the “why”.
Why Maddie?
Why Mike & Heather?
Why?
But today, on Maddie’s second birthday,
I’m setting aside the “why”
and focusing instead on the “who”.
Madeline Alice Spohr.
Beautiful, fun, intelligent daughter of Mike & Heather Spohr.
Bright eyes, animated face.
Maddie Moo.
Chicken Muffin Love Bear.
The girl who changed the blogosphere.
The girl whose story changed my life.
Inspired me to be a better mother,
A better friend,
A better person.
And today we will celebrate her life by eating cream puffs.
And today we will celebrate her life by making and delivering NICU family support packs to our local NICU.
And today we will celebrate her life by donating to the organization in her memory: Friends of Maddie.
(I hope you will, too.)
Maddie, I haven’t forgotten you.
I won’t forget you.
You changed my life.
Your words are beautiful…
thank you Bridget. Love you. xoxo
Beautifully written, Bridget.
I followed your lead and changed my twitter background to purple to honor Maddie and her family today.
Such a heartfelt and lovely post for this special baby girl. My thoughts and prayers, already with the Spohrs since 718 days ago, are especially with them today as they eat cream puffs and celebrate Madeline.
Your friend in Staten Island,
Michele
Absolutely beautiful!
Happy Birthday Maddie!!!
We all love and miss you like crazy.
She changed my life too. I will always remember her.
Beautifully put. She changed so many lives, touched so many hearts. Happy Birthday Maddie.
This post just leaves a huge lump in my throat. It is beautiful, and touching.
A little late in reading this; but as I sat at home taking care of my two sick kids yesterday, all I could think about was Mike & Heather and of couse, Maddie! I bet they had cream puffs in heaven to celebrate too.
Sorry I miswrote the # as 718 when it should read 218 days…but that is still 218 days too long for the world to not have Maddie in it.
Your post is such a loving tribute.
~ Michele