November 11 - Maddie's Day

As I sit here today I'm reminded again of the first time I laid eyes on Miss Madeline Spohr. She was a preemie and I found a great deal of commonality between Heather and myself.

Time passed. I got busy and reading blogs, well, time just wasn't there.

I always remembered Heather's blog though, and when I got some of my time back I went back and read her blog. And most of all, looked at the pictures of Maddie. Her smile, her eyes that showed such life and love. I remember thinking that I wished that Anna Grace had that much love for life.

November 11th will never 'just be a day' for me again. It will be Maddie's day. It's the day that I will celebrate with my children by eating a cream puff and remembering Maddie, Mike, Heather, and Binky. And I will wish, more than a thousand wishes, that Maddie was still here.

Heather, Mike - I've never met you 'in person' but you've reminded me to slow down, stop and spend time just 'being' rather than thinking about the next thing to do. You've reminded me that pictures not only tell a story but also are memories that have the ability to not only remind but also to hope and dream. Most of all though, you've thought me that feeling empathy towards others helps *me* to heal from my own loss.

On the left you will see the Fight For Preemies button that shows that, on November 17th I will be blogging for the March Of Dimes. I will blog for Anna Grace, for Maddie, and for all the children that have been lost but also the ones that have been saved by the research of March Of Dimes. If you feel inclined, please join me in this effort.

Maddie, I will always wish that I had a chance to meet you - to see your smile - to listen to your laugh.

On each November 11th.

Are You A Friend Of Maddie??

Friends Of Maddie officially launched their site today and I want to make sure that I acknowledge it appropriately.

Supporting this effort is an easy decision however our family has as personal connection to the world of hospital bedrest, neonatal wards, and premature birth. If you weren't aware, Anna Grace was a NICU baby. Weighing in at a stealth 2 pds/13 ounces her entry into the world wasn't easy and it wasn't fun - for both for us. Pokes and tests awaited Anna Grace when she was born - not the warmth of a blanket and her family. Watching them in the NICU as they stabilized her was heartbreaking. Leaving the hospital without my baby was devastating. Although we had an uneventful NICU stay (e.g. within a month & with no major issues) there are many families who aren't so lucky - their stays don't end well, or they stay for months at a time.

Heather and Mike Spohr know first hand what NICU time is like. Since earlier this year when Maddie past away I've watched quietly from the distance as they struggled to find something that could be a legacy to Maddie - something that would bring a smile rather than tears. I think that through the launch of Friends Of Maddie they've done just that.

The Mission Of Friends Of Maddie:

Our Mission is to provide support to the families of critically ill babies in an effort to help ease the transition into NICU life and to be an ally until the end of their child’s hospital stay.

Taken from the friendsofmaddie.org website.

On the left you will see my button that says that I am a Friend of Maddie - if you already aren't would you become a Friend of Maddie too?

Let's help Heather and Mike make a difference - a difference that will be Maddie's legacy.