On Your Birthday
November 12, 2009 | in: the famous Madeline
On your birthday, we wore purple.
All of us.
On your birthday we bought pretty purple flowers.
We ate cream puffs.
On your birthday we sang you songs, and we missed you so much we couldn’t breathe. We remembered how much you liked the fudge mommy made last year, how wide your eyes would get when they’d see a piece. How every morning you loved to fling your arms way above your head, point your little toes and have a biiiiiiig stretch. We realized how empty our bed is without you. How empty our arms are.
On your birthday we thought about you constantly and we survived even though we didn’t think we would. And as we go to sleep without our two year old beside us, we hope to dream of you.
Cat says:
God bless you!
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Nancy Smego Reply:
November 12th, 2009 at 8:38 pm
You guys are so wonderful. Maddie is in all of our hearts. She will always be your daughter and always be Binky’s big sister. I love you, Heather!
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andrea's sweet life says:
May you both have sweet, sweet dreams of darling Madeline. Love you.
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Gina says:
I pray you dream of her in one of those dreams that seems to last forever. My heart aches with the story of your loss.
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Jay says:
Happy birthday sweet Maddie, may your parents have the sweetest dreams tonight and many more. xx
Jay´s last blog ..Almost Silent Sunday
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MelissaG says:
I can only imagine how your heart aches and breaks….mine does just reading. Thinking of you still, praying for continued healing.
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pamela says:
i cannot imagine how hard it must be. Hugs to all of you. Wearing purple for Maddie (actually yesterday because its thursday now..)
pamela´s last blog ..To My Very Special Grandma
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dysfunctional mom says:
I wore purple too. =)
Sending good thoughts, dreams & prayers to you.
Happy Birthday, Maddie.
xoxo
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Seraphim says:
I LOVE the picture of you and Mike holding hands. Grief tears so many people apart. I am so glad to see you united in your love and sorrow. I wore purple today as well. Hoping your sweet girl is in your dreams tonight.
Seraphim´s last blog ..Rory’s Garden, Part 24
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missy says:
Sweet Dreams of Maddie, Peace & Love for you, Mike, Binky and Miss Rigby. Today and everyday.
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steph says:
Happy Bday Maddie!!
I cry everytime I read your blog.My 1st daughter Scarlett was born @ 33 weeks weighing 2 pounds 5 ounces. It was a hard battle but shes 2 and a half now and doing great,although still very small.I still get very nervous in flu season etc’.
I have another daughter who is 8 months old and I had a fantastic,healthy,full term pregnancy with her and although I adore them both,I still sometimes feel…angry I guess that Scarlett had to go through everything she did and be so tiny and Indianna came home the day after she was born and is a chubby bouncing baby.But I did nothing different really,I just dont get it.
Nobody understands,it’s so hard to explain and the memories of NICU stick around forever and people expect you to just be ok.And they dont get why Im so deffensive when theyre always saying ‘god.why is she so small??’ I take offence to it and I know I shouldnt but I feel like they think theres something wrong with her and shes absolutely perfect.
I hope you have a wonderful,safe delivery of your baby.
x
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Krystal says:
My love is with you Mike, Heather and Blinky.
Happy 2nd Birthday Maddie!
Krystal´s last blog ..Sunday Snaps 11/8/2009
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Kate @ UpsideBackwards says:
Love to you all. We remember her together.
Kate @ UpsideBackwards´s last blog ..Mummy in the middle
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catherine lucas says:
Once again I have no words… Wherever Madeline is now, I hope she smiled when you ate the puffs…
catherine lucas´s last blog ..Cistercian Abbeys galore
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Aunt to Another Maddy says:
It’s a cliche now, but Kennedy said courage was “grace under pressure.” You are courageous. And yes, I know the reply could be, what other choice do you have? But to go through this, and share it with us, with such grace and such incredible beauty — terribly sad beauty — in your language, is courage.
All your posts this week have been sadly beautiful, but this is amazing. Bless you both, and Maddie, and the little one in your tummy.
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Kelly says:
Hugs
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Dawn says:
I am glad you are surviving even through the grief. Happy Birthday Madeline, I hope Mommy and Daddy’s dreams were filled with happy times with you!!
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Cindy says:
Once again, I’m crying. I’m so glad you survived her 2nd birthday, I was thinking about you all day. Happy Birthday sweet Maddie! I hope your beautiful parents feel your love surrounding them and keeping them warm.
Heather and Mike, my prayers are with you both and Binky. Heather, you are one of the most amazing blog writer’s. Your words are so poignant and heartfelt. I’m so sorry your wonderful family have had to endure this horrible tragic loss! Maddie is not forgotton, her beautiful sunny smile will live on forever. Dream sweet dreams tonight Mike & Heather about your beautiful Maddie!
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Baking Mad Mama says:
No words Heather, just tears. I hope you both dreamed beautiful dreams of Madeline.
Baking Mad Mama´s last blog ..Remembrance
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Heather Schroeder says:
I’m in Spain (studying abroad) right now, so I couldn’t find a cream puff but I went to a bakery down the street from my casa and found the closest thing to it: a long bread-like thing filled with chocolate cream. It’s not the same as a cream puff but I ate whatever the thing was and I remembered too. I forgot to wear purple yesterday but I’m going to wear it today in remembrance. Best wishes to baby Binky in hopes that she has a healthy, worry-free life (she is going to be a very lucky little girl with parents like you!!! And I hope that next year at this time, all four of you-including the dog-are all wearing purple and eating cream puffs!)
~Heather
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Krissa says:
(((Heartfelt hugs))) and love to you guys.
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Meaghan says:
Bless you, I wore purple for your beautiful Maddie yesterday, in fact half of my wardrobe is purple and anytime I wear any of it I cant help but think of your dear sweet Maddie. Sending all kinds of love and hugs and good wishes to you, Mike, Binky and Rigby
Meaghan
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habanerogal says:
Tears flowing beautiful images beautiful thoughts
habanerogal´s last blog ..Remembrance Day
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amanda says:
This hurts to read; the hurt you feel is incomprehensible. Love to you both (and Rigby, of course!).
xo from CT,
Amanda
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Friend of Maddie says:
wearing purple all week for maddie ,because every good woman knows they reign queen during their birthday week (if not month), and maddie is no exception.
so to madeline spohr, queen of the week, happy birthday.
and to mike and heather; stay strong. looking forward to the arrival of the future co-queen of your hearts.
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Susan Reply:
November 12th, 2009 at 3:56 am
Couldn’t agree with you more – I wore my purple yesterday!
Susan´s last blog ..Got something on your mind? Say it. No worries.
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Nikki Reply:
November 12th, 2009 at 5:48 am
Love it! Why celebrate a day when you can celebrate for a week??
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Sue says:
Heather——–
I’ve only commented on your blog once before when your dad wrote a post, even tho I’ve been reading it since I first saw it mentioned on Matt’s blog. Your words just rip me apart, and I read each post with tears streaming down my face. You & Mike sound like the most loving parents ever! Maddy is such a gorgeous little angel, and I can’t wait to hear about your little Binky,,,once she arrives,,,,, and see her in your arms. We have an adult handicapped son who requires 24/7 care, and I could not even begin to imagine life without him.
I wish you the most happiness anyone could ever have, and a beautiful, healthy, little baby girl.
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Lynn from For Love or Funny says:
Heather, you are a beautiful writer. Thinking of you…Hey, I just realized that your blog’s background is also purple! For Maddie!
Lynn from For Love or Funny´s last blog ..Can I pretend these are capri pants?
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Domestic Extraordinaire says:
We wore purple here as well.
Thank you for sharing Maddie with us.
Through you all I have learned so much.
Domestic Extraordinaire´s last blog ..Birthdays make me nervous
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Meg...CT says:
I hope the dreams were wonderful…(We wore purple too!!)
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Jen @ lifelove'n'wine says:
You are wonderful parents to celebrate Maddie’s life in such special ways. I hope your dreams were sweet.
Jen @ lifelove’n'wine´s last blog ..The Many Dangers of Oat Bran
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Ruth says:
(((HUGS)))
Ruth´s last blog ..Feeling my way back
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Kathryn says:
Your grief for Madeline is indeed immense, but your love for her is even more. Keep on loving her anyway you can.
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Christine says:
Love that you guys remembered her this way. She was an amazing little girl. It is obvious where she got it from.
Christine´s last blog ..Jeebus, when will they leave and other assorted questions
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charlane says:
We sang for Maddie too.
charlane´s last blog ..BIRTHDAY CAKE!
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jen says:
Oh my goodness. What a wonderful celebration for Maddie. BIG giant squeezie hugs to you both! And Rigby too…..
jen´s last blog ..I belong to the King
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Lindsay says:
Yesterday, 11/11, our preemie support group met at our NICU like we do every month. But yesterday for prematurity awareness month we made care packages for the parents in the unit. I thought of you, and Mike, and Binky, and especially Maddie. I purposely found all the purple items I could out of the assortment we had collected, purple lotion, purple hand sanitizer, a purple preemie dress, a purple folder, a purple notebook, a purple pen, toothbrush & chapstick, and I put together a package in honor of Maddie. I am not sure who got the package, but I hope it made the stay a little better for a family whose little girl was born to soon.
Lindsay´s last blog ..O-H-I-O
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Erica says:
Dear Heather and Mike – the wonderful and amazing parents – what a beautiful celebration of your precious Maddie’s 2nd Birthday. Thank you so much for sharing your moving words with us and for sharing the gorgeous photos. The photo of the two of you holding hands is so very moving, your love for each other can be felt through the picture. So many people all over the world joined you in celebrating your World Famous Maddie’s Birthday yesterday, your darling girl will never be forgotten.
Sending you both a big hug
Erica
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Kristen McD says:
I pray she was there.
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Elizabeth says:
I love the picture of you and Mike. Beautiful. Thinking of you and sweet Maddie. ((hugs))
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Aunt Becky says:
We wore purple too and celebrated Maddie too.
Aunt Becky´s last blog ..And Now You Are Two
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Debi Powell says:
What a beautiful way to celebrate her birthday!! I”m sure she smiled from heaven!
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Spring says:
I have no words, they just won’t come to me right now. But, I wanted you to know how proud (which sounds dumb even as I type it) I am that you & Mike celebrated Maddy’s birthday. And you celebrated it, like you do everything, with style. I so hate that this horrible thing has happened to you; I hate that you have to endure this. And at the same time, I love that you share it all with us, that you put it out there for us to see and read and feel. I love that everyday, I come here to see how you & Mike & now Binky are doing and my heart feels. Big hugs & lots of love & prayers sent to you all.
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MBKimmy says:
Love the pictures, love the post – and “even though you don’t know me” I love you guys too! Prayers as always!
MBKimmy´s last blog ..Halloween
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Sue says:
Heather—-
I apologize for misspelling Maddie’s (Maddy) name in my earlier post.
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Deborah says:
What a great way to remember Maddie. Thinking of you as always.
(((hugs)))
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Jenna says:
I am wearing purple scrubs this week in honor and celebration of your Maddie.
Thinking about you and your family.
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Alli says:
Beautifully written. I hurt for you abd Mike shen I read this. Glad you still celebrated and I know she was there too.
~ Hugs from TX
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Corinne says:
Beautiful. Sending you prayers.
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cj says:
beautiful, as always. thank you for sharing.
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cjrymommy says:
Sounds like a wonderful birthday celebration.
Hope you had sweet dreams. Love to you all.
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Lisa says:
All beautiful ways to honor your sweet Maddie. We wore purple as well, and ate cupcakes with purple butterfly sprinkles to celebrate the life of Miss Maddie and stand behind you in support.
You are always and forever in my heart and in my thoughts. Love and hugs.
Lisa´s last blog ..Happy Birthday Maddie
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Nellie - New York says:
My daughter Ainsley and I wore purple yesterday in honor of your beautiful two-year old Madeline and will do so every year.
Sending you lots of uplifting, peaceful thoughts. I hope your dreams last night were an abundance of Madeline smiling, laughing and loving you two.
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Karen Chatters says:
(((Hugs)))
Karen Chatters´s last blog ..Happy Birthday, Maddie!
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Nikki says:
Heather & Mike: I know that if I as a blog reader feel the pain of your posts and the loss of Maddie, I can’t imagine for endless your pain feels. My heart cries for your loss but also holds you dearly and wishes that each day is better than the last.
Thank you for sharing your story and Maddie with us. I hope you had sweet, sweet dreams of her all night.
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nic @mybottlesup says:
hoping and wishing you sweet dreams of your precious maddie.
nic @mybottlesup´s last blog ..for maddie
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Karen says:
You were all thought of and held so very near and dear to all of our hearts yesterday. Purple apparel, cream puffs and tears abound.
You survived with grace and dignity. Your love for Maddie and your courage continue to inspire. You are wonderful people, Maddie couldn’t have picked better parents.
Love to you and your family.
Karen´s last blog ..Lest We Forget…
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Momma Uncensored says:
i hope she came to visit you in your dreams last night & every night.
Momma Uncensored´s last blog ..pregnancy guilt
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Trisha Vargas says:
I strongly believe Maddie was there with you all day and she helped pull you through it.
(((HUGS))) from Florida
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Hannah says:
Heather and Mike, I only began to read your blog recently and I can’t tell you how much reading about your story means to me and how much the picture of Maddie has stayed in my head ever since.
You have taught me to truly cherish every moment with my two kids and be greatful for every second I have with them.
Happy Birthday Maddie. From your passing, you have passed on the wonderful gift of learning to always cherish and love those around you!
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amy2boys says:
Blessings and peace I wish for you both, always. You are inspiring to so many, which I know is a piss-poor consolation.
Still we all pray for you and we remember. We remember.
amy2boys´s last blog ..Re-Direct Wednesday
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Sarcastica says:
Beautiful post Heather. You and Mike carry yourselves so gracefully and Maddie would be proud.
*hugs*
Sarcastica´s last blog ..Wordless Wednesday; The Where’s Matt Edition & Remembrance Day
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Stephanie says:
I do not have the words to completely express what I want. I can’t imagine what life has been like without Maddie…the entire experience. But this is beautiful, and the way you honor her life is beautiful. You are beautiful. She is beautiful.
Happy Birthday, Maddie.
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Manda says:
Wearing purple for Maddie
SOBBING great big crocodile tears for all that is lost.
Hugs from MN!
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Liz says:
Strange as it may sound, I dreamt of Maddie last night…. thinking of you and your family.
Liz
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Allison in NC says:
We, too, wore purple yesterday and thought of you constantly.
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Tami says:
My eyes fill with tears.
I thought of you all yesterday. My heart just breaks every time I THINK OF MADDIE. I cant imagine how hard it must of been for you all yesterday. I know she is happy that you celebrated her special day, with her favorite things.
hugs,
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Laura says:
I swear it seemed like everywhere I looked yesterday, I saw people wearing purple. I decided they all must have been missing your gorgeous daughter. She has had such an impact on so many people…. and has had made more of a difference in this world than any other two-year old I’ve ever known!
Love for all of you- thank you for bringing such a beautiful light into this world. Maddie will be missed forever.
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Andrea says:
I really don’t know what to say. I am glad you made it through her birthday….I no she was smiling down at all of you. I hope you dream of her
Hugs!
Andrea
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Tracy I says:
I hope you had dreams of Maddie last night – I told my husband about her last night before we went to sleep. Thank you for sharing your story Heather. I can’t imagine what you must be going through and I’m so very sorry for your loss. Our lives are so stressful with an 8 yo a 2 yo and a new puppy that I sometimes find myself forgetting to enjoy my boys… reading your words reminds me that they are special and how much I love and need them and I’m so grateful to you for that.
~ Tracy
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Molly says:
You guys are so strong. I hope you got your happy dreams.
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Lindsey says:
The picture of you and Mike holding hands is beautiful. I wish there was something we could say that would help . . . just know that I am thinking of you and sending you courage and love.
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Angie [A Whole Lot of Nothing] says:
Lean on each other and all of us.
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Stacy says:
I am so proud of your family, for the strength and grace you exhibit. I know Maddie’s proud of you too.
My son and I baked purple cupcakes in her honor yesterday. And if you count my purple pajama pants, I wore purple for her too. ;o)
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Lisa_in_WI says:
What a wonderful way to remember Maddie, I’m sure she was looking on and enjoying every minute of it!
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Danielle says:
On your Birthday, we all smiled at pictures of you beautiful smile.
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maggie, dammit says:
On your birthday, we read the beautiful words your parents wrote and marveled at their love and resilience.
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Laura Reply:
November 12th, 2009 at 8:02 am
Yes, this.
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Gale says:
You honor Maddie so beautifully. And as one previous commenter mentioned, it is so wonderful to see your hands linked in solidarity for Maddie, instead of torn apart by grief.
I hope your dreams were filled with Maddie last night.
XOXO
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ruth says:
and someone three thousand miles away who never met you or your parents lit a purple candle in your memory . Such is your power.
ruth´s last blog ..Autumn in NJ
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Carrie says:
What a beautiful way to celebrate. I thought of Maddie the moment I woke up this morning. I think of you and Mike often and the constant loss you feel.
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Kristin says:
I though of you, Mike, and Maddie all day yesterday. Sending love.
Kristin´s last blog ..Halloween
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cindy w says:
I love that first picture. I wore purple for Maddie yesterday too.
Love you guys. xoxo
cindy w´s last blog ..Two
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Ashley Hast says:
Praying for you.
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Heidi says:
Hugs.
Heidi´s last blog ..Single White Male
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pgoodness says:
I wore purple and thought of your sweet girl all day.
pgoodness´s last blog ..A letter to a little girl
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Tina says:
I, too, wore purple…*hugs*
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tara says:
i wish you so many sweet dreams of your beautiful maddie. and i send you love and hugs every single day. xo
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Amanda says:
I hope she comes to you every night in your dreams.
We sang happy birthday to Maddie last night as we put our Emberly to bed, giving her and extra squeeze and a kiss for the fragility of life Maddie showed us.
Amanda´s last blog ..A Sincere Thank You
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Shauna says:
So much love to you guys.
Shauna´s last blog ..Halloween ‘09
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Sarah says:
My heart absolutly breask for you, Mike, and baby Binky. Happy birthday Maddie.
xoxo
Sarah
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Alexandra says:
Oh, Heather: I thought about you all day on Maddie’s birthday. WOndering how it would go for you.
You and Mike survived it. You made it, minute by minute. You did it.
I can’t imagine a harder day, but you went through it.
Know that there are many here, holding their breath when you and Mike survive these first hurdles.
You’ll get to the other side: you’ll be different, Maddie will always live inside you. and it is just survival.
Sad to say, but it is minute by minute survival.
You did it! And soon you’ll both have Binky there in your bed, not replacing Maddie, but part of it all.
Love to all of you.
Love the picture of you and Mike, as a united front: taking it on together.
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Erin says:
I hope every night brings you sweet wonderful dreams of little Maddie Moo
Erin´s last blog ..Thinking Back
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AmazingGreis says:
The out pouring of LOVE and support for Maddie on her day was overwhelming and absolutely AMAZING!!! So glad that ya’ll have such a HUGE support system. Thank you for sharing her with us. Love you guys!!!
XOXO
AmazingGreis´s last blog ..Girl Talk Thursday – My FICTIONAL 5
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Jenn says:
I hope you had sweet dreams of sweet Madeline.
Big hugs to you guys.
Love, Jenn in CA
Jenn´s last blog ..Happy Birthday Maddie!
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Tina says:
I have no words today.
Just tears.
So sorry….
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Courtney says:
God Bless you in these hard days!
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Miss Grace says:
Maddie,
I thought about you all day yesterday. Thinking about you still.
Miss Grace´s last blog ..Style Tips for Computer Geeks
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liz says:
The picture of the two of you holding hands is beyond beautiful!! My heart aches for you and your family.
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Glenda says:
Love the pictures. Thanks for sharing! My moms fav color was purple. She passed on 2004
My heart aches for you and Mike and the rest of your family. Soon Binky will be here to bring much needed joy back into your lives. I can’t wait! I’m so happy for you all. Sending you hugs! XXX
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Katrina says:
I can only imagine how hard it was to endure the first birthday without her
Katrina´s last blog ..November 11th — Happy Birthday, Maddie
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Amanda (Garibay Soup) says:
There are no words… just feelings in my heart for you ~ Maddie’s story definitely had me in tears yesterday.
Amanda (Garibay Soup)´s last blog ..Tonight My Heart is Heavy
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Jen L. says:
I love the picture of you two in your purple. Wishing you sweet dreams of your Maddie.
Jen L.´s last blog ..My Time of Day
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Mrs Chaos says:
Happy Birthday, Maddie.
Love to you all.
Mrs Chaos´s last blog ..Reminders
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Alexandria says:
Happy Birthday Maddie!!!! I know you can see everyone celebrating your special day. You are one loved special little girl.
Mike and Heather,
You are two of the most courageous people in the world. Love and support to you always!
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k-mart says:
Happy Birthday Maddie {{hugs}}
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(another) karen says:
happy birthday maddie……
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Rachel says:
You are so honest in your grief.
I am so sorry for what you have lost. So sorry.
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Rebecca says:
Beautiful.
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rachel says:
There are people who walk this earth who will never have affected others the way that little Maddie continues to, daily.
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Jacquie says:
Our day of Rememberance was yesterday. While Maddie didn’t serve in a war, protect the countries we live in I can’t help but think what a perfect day for a sweet little girl to be remembered on. For as long as I’ve read your blog it’s clear how special she was she’s touched lives in so many ways.
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Alicia @ bethsix says:
Beautiful. And I’m glad you survived. I hope for you that it will be easier next year, but I’m sure that’s not true.
Alicia @ bethsix´s last blog ..Happy Birthday, Maddie
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Karen says:
From a total stranger, we ache for your loss. We wish you peace.
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Amy says:
Beautiful post. Happy birthday to your sweet Maddie.
Amy´s last blog ..Bakucrazy
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Karen says:
Happiest happy 2nd Birthday wishes to you beautiful Maddie!
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Rick @ Tiny Prints says:
This is this would be so difficult to read I put it off until today.
Our thoughts are always with you and Maddie regardless of the day.
Rick @ Tiny Prints´s last blog ..Mom Talk: Candid vs. Posed Holiday Photo Cards
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Jenny @ http://motherlawyercrazywoman.blogspot.com/ says:
I hope you had sweet dreams.
Jenny @ http://motherlawyercrazywoman.blogspot.com/´s last blog ..Strong
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Betty M says:
Happy Birthday Maddie. Thinking of you.
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Amanda says:
Hoping she cuddles into your dreams in nights yet to come. I think if I wept, the tears would run sparkly and purple. Strength and peace.
Amanda´s last blog ..Today and always
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Heather says:
Hoping you had wonderful dreams of your birthday girl!
Heather´s last blog ..Veteran’s Day
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Becca says:
Bless all 4 of you (Binky too, of course)..
And in a completely unrelated note, but I hope it makes you smile- I just realized who it is Mike reminds me of (looks-wise).. Johnny Knoxville (particularly Men In Black 2).. That’s so random, but I hope it made you laugh a little.
Becca´s last blog ..Whole lotta crazy.
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Marti from Michigan says:
God’s blessings to the two of you today, and to Rigby. I have tears flowing down my cheeks right now after reading that post.
This is so unfair, so unfair!!!!
Wishing you purple butterflies…….and dreams of your beautiful girl!
http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/ff279/Clarklady/purplebflies.gif
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Marti from Michigan says:
Oh fudge, that link didn’t go anywhere!!
Grrrrrr, lol!!
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Marti from Michigan says:
http://anapa6.tripod.com/ButterflyShades5.html
Maybe?
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Jenn says:
Thank you for sharing your day with us all! Today at Walmart and I came arcoss a purple CHristmas tree! 100% for Maddie!!
xoxoxoxo
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Missy says:
My prayers are with you. You are the strongest parents I know. Happy Birthday, Dear Maddie!
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Tara. says:
I adore the picture of you and Mike wearing purple and holding hands. Beautiful. ?
Tara.´s last blog ..#11.
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Catherine says:
The photo of Maddie grinning on April 4, 2009 in her bright yellow jumper so captures her spirit as you describe her. Thank you for sharing Maddie with all of us. Her glow bestows goodness on us, even those of us who are strangers. Thinking of Maddie, you, your family. Namaste.
Catherine´s last blog ..Don’t Touch That Dial!
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Haley-O (Cheaty) says:
Thinking of you guys…. Happy Birthday, sweet Maddie.
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suzanne says:
Maddie, so many people wished you a happy birthday yesterday. So many people have taken their own meaning and conviction from your story. So many of us are more aware, more sensitive, more loving, and more humble because of you and your family. I know that where you are right now, you feel your parents’ love and see it reflected in the hearts of all of us who read this blog.
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Katie says:
Sigh.
I love the fact that you bought flowers. And cream puffs. That truly is wonderful!
But I know this is all so terribly difficult and I hope that each year may, somehow, be easier on you both. I don’t know how, but I just hope that’s the way it’ll be.
You are in my thoughts, take care!!!
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katie says:
God bless you and your beautiful family. Sending my love from Wisconsin.
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Chrissie says:
(((HUGS)))
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Mags says:
God bless you and your family!
Mags´s last blog ..Kindergarten…
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Amy S. says:
Beautiful!
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Amanda/Baby A says:
My heart just aches for you, but that was a great way to spend Maddie’s birthday.
All my love to you, Mike, Rigby, and Binky.
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Cat says:
Happy 2nd Birthday Maddie xoxo
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Kim says:
I can actually feel your pain in your message. It’s so heartbreaking. I cannot imagine how hard it must be. God bless you and your family. You’re never far from my thoughts and prayers.
Love,
Kim
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Liz says:
Thank you for sharing with us. Wonderful pictures. Very heavy heart. Sending all the best to you all.
Liz´s last blog ..Jen
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Stefanie says:
Love to you guys.
Stefanie´s last blog ..Happy Birthday Madeline
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Christiana says:
We wore purple, too. Hugs to you all.
Christiana´s last blog ..The latest…
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Rosemary Brown says:
You, Mike and Maddie are in my thoughts and prayers daily, especially today:)
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cm says:
You are such an amazing writer and mom. You honor Maddie everyday with your beautiful words.
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Heidiho says:
Your words make me a better mom. Thank you.
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Dawn says:
Here’s to wonderful dreams!
Dawn´s last blog ..my poor funny bone
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Christine says:
Happy Birthday, little Madeline
Hugs to you all.
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Colleen says:
I wore purple for you yesterday and I think of you daily. You, Mike, Binky and Maddie are so very special and loved. Sending you so much love and strength.
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kelly says:
Heather,
I’m still not sure how a person I don’t truly even know can bring me to tears.
What a special celebration of life. What a special mother you are. What a special baby your Madeline is. I only wish I knew you so I could hug you. I wish there were some way to help absorb your pain–just a little–to help you heal. I’ll be donating to your foundation, but that only goes so far… I mostly wish this never would’ve happened.
kelly
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Notesfromthegrove says:
Those are just beautiful pictures. I love you guys so much.
Notesfromthegrove´s last blog ..Five Months in Numbers
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Liz says:
Heather,
I’m so sorry! This is just so unfair.
I thought of Maddie today, as I often do. Guess what inspired my thoughts? Beyonce! I just remembered the video you shared of little Maddie singing “All the Single Ladies.” When it came on the radio today, I smiled!
She is always remembered, even if some of us never got the chance to know her IRL. Her spirit is here, in your beautiful words and in the hearts of so many!
Hugs,
Liz
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Young Momma says:
It hurts my heart to even consider. I know she was with you and you had as beautiful a day as possible.
Young Momma´s last blog ..Putting Pride Aside
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Sharon says:
Thank you for sharing all that you do. I let my husband read your words tonight.. wanting to share with him what you share with us. He cried, he too misses his daughter who passed away almost 2 years ago.
Everyday is hard for us as it is for you.
Thank you for sharing your words with us.. it helps us more then you know.
Happy 2nd birthday to your beautiful daughter.
Be well,
Sharon in Canada
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Trish says:
Happy birthday Maddie. You are so missed.
Trish´s last blog ..Videos
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Adventures In Babywearing says:
Absolutely beautiful.
Steph
Adventures In Babywearing´s last blog ..Blue Butterfly Dress
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kathryn says:
I admire both of your strength and bravery. I think birthday traditions are important and it seems like you have found some lovely ones to share and honor Madeline’s memory. Please know that your little girl and all that you have shared about her life has touched so many of us who never knew her and know that her legacy continues on.
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mythoughtsonthat says:
“we missed you so much we couldn’t breathe”- oh, so difficult.
Faith….Hope….Love….Peace.
mythoughtsonthat´s last blog ..I Wish I Knew
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Debra @ A Frugal Friend says:
The pain is horrible, but the memories are so beautiful. Bug hugs from me.
Debra @ A Frugal Friend´s last blog ..Join VocalPoint – Get Freebies from P&G
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Carrie says:
We are praying for you all.
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susan says:
I am so sorry. My heart breaks for you.
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Sabrina says:
happy birthday to your sweet angel.
Sabrina´s last blog ..a blog that helps me be a better mother
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Al_Pal says:
*sniff* Beautiful. I hope you had wonderful Maddie dreams.
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D says:
Love to you all.
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Maria Delgado says:
Thank you so very much for sharing this with us.
Maria Delgado´s last blog ..Bloggers Unite! June 24th-27th 2010!!!!
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Reluctant Inspiration « says:
[...] marriages end in divorce after the loss of a child. Not Heather and Mike. They have stood together every day since Maddie passed away. They founded the Friends of Maddie organization that provides [...]