Life Behind the Curve

One year ago today, my friends Heather and Mike lost their sweet baby girl. Nothing I write here can express the depth of my sorrow for their loss. Nothing I write here will make you or me understand the unfathomable nightmare that they have been through and the pain they will live with for the rest of their lives. I wish with all my might that there were something I could do to bring her back, to take away their pain. Though I know I can’t, I also know that Maddie’s infectious spirit lives on in ways big and small.

Because of Maddie, a community came together to show support for one of its own.

Because of Maddie, hundreds of children were held tighter, loved deeper, appreciated more.

Because of Maddie, her baby sister Annie has more cyber aunties and uncles than a girl could know what to do with.

Because of Maddie, gardens and balloons and websites and blogs and fingers and toes and ballpoint pens and blackberries all turned brilliant shades of purple.

Because of Maddie, thousands of families are getting the help they need to endure the ups and downs of a stay in neonatal intensive care units across the country.

Because of Maddie, tens of thousands of dollars have been donated to the March of Dimes to help keep other families from enduring the tragedy that Mike and Heather went through.

What an amazing legacy to build in seventeen short months.

May we all continue to keep Maddie and her family in our thoughts and prayers and, more importantly, support them in our actions. Maddie, may you continue to rest in peace.

Later this month, I’ll Marching for Maddie at the Los Angeles March of Dimes March for Babies. Please consider clicking the link in my sidebar to make a donation. You can also support families with babies in NICUs by donating to Friends of Maddie, the charity Heather and Mike set up in Maddie’s honor.