Madeline and I never had that tight of a schedule – we were usually out and about doing things, you know, lunching and dodging her paparazzi – but we always had to be home by 4 pm for our standing appointment to watch Ellen.
When she heard the theme music, “Have a little fun today-ay, yeah yeah yeah!” she would stop what she was doing, hurry toward the TV, and start dancing. When Ellen appeared on the screen, she’d look back at me and smile as if to say, “Look mom! It’s Ellen! Yeah!” She loved her some Ellen…
I would secretly hope that Maddie and I would someday go to the show and dance with Ellen. But alas.
Thanks to a friend who works for Warner Brothers, I was able to see a taping of the show yesterday (which airs today, set your DVRs!!!) with my friends Jen and Greis.
You guys, we got to sit in the FRONT ROW! Two rows in front of Ellen’s mama! The audience enters the studio about 30-45 minutes before the show starts, and you spend the entire time DANCING. We were sweaty messes by the time the show started.
We saw Orlando Bloom (very handsome) and Josh Groban (handsome voice). Ellen was, of course, hilarious. She also surprised an audience member with some very cool stuff (not us, this woman had a very moving story).
I loved being at the show with my friends, but I thought about Maddie the whole time. I wish things were different, and that I could watch the show with her today, look for my face on TV, and, of course, dance along to the music.
Today, I will watch the show and dance with Annie, and tell her as she giggles and claps, how her sister loved to do this, too.
{ 35 comments… read them below or add one }
Had so much fun with you and Jen yesterday!! I love me some Ellen!!
AmazingGreis´s last [type] ..Ellen Must Hate Me or Maybe it’s Just the Universe Saying FU
Maddie was there dancing with the three of you. Enjoy dancing to the theme music with Annie as you watch the show today.
HOW LUCKY YOU ARE To HAVE SEEN Ellen!!! WOW!!! THAT IS DEFINITELY ON MY BUCKER LIST!!! However, I do know it was also extremely bitter/sweet for you to see Ellen without your sweet Maddie. I’m so sorry about that!
Seeing Maddie’s sweet face again did make me get teary. I miss and adore her too. So, in honour of my friend and her beautiful baby, I too will watch the show today and think of you both.
I’m so glad you got to go yesterday Heather. I really am b/c like all of my friends I adore….you dereve ALL the HAPPINESS in the WORLD!!!!
With Friendship & love,
Jenn
Sigh…bittersweet time for you.
Enjoy dancing with Annie, and laughing and kissing her, and know that your sweet Angel Maddie is there with you too.
Ree Donnelly´s last [type] ..Long Time- No Blog!!
I signed onto AOL this morning, and Maddie’s adorable, smiling face was staring back at me.
Being in Ellen’s audience must have been a blast! She looks like such a fun person to be around.
I just found your blog and I want to let you know that you write so beautifully. What an incredible tribute to your precious angel! May she rest in peace and may God bless you and your family always..
I so wish Maddie could have been with you.
Kristin (MamaKK922)´s last [type] ..ROYAL WEDDING DAY!!!
Kristin beat me to my comment! I was so surprised to see Maddie on AOL this morning, right up there with Kate and William!
Good luck marching this weekend! I’m actually flying into LAX today, but am then heading to Camp Blogaway. It looks like it shouldn’t be too hot for you guys.
Danni´s last [type] ..More Fun with Nuke
How fun! I’m sure that Maddie was with you, dancing in her seat!
Kelly´s last [type] ..Four Going on Fourteen
I’m sure I don’t need to send you a link to your own story….but I was excited when this popped up on my homepage http://www.parentdish.com/2011/04/26/familys-grief-march-of-dimes/?icid=maing-grid7|main5|dl6|sec1_lnk2|59250
A girl whose blog I follow (Flux Capacitor) is trying to get on the Ellen show on that “Change My Life” part. I’ve written to try and get her help from Ellen. I hope it works for her.
Sounds like you had a good time and I bet your little Maddie was there with you….always in your heart.
Rebecca´s last [type] ..Fotos- Fragments- Folly
That’s so amazing that you got to go and FRONT ROW!! The one time I was going to be in Cali Ellen was filming in NYC (I’m in NYC), it was just my luck. Hope you and Annie enjoy watching it today!
I am a complete stranger to you but an avid reader of your blog and for some reason I teared up reading this entry!!! Hope you and Annie have a blast today!!!!
How awesome for you! I am going to tune in and watch you!
I just read about you. This is the first time I have checked out your blog. Or anyone’s blog for that matter. about 30 years ago I gave birth to a 2 pound 3 ounce boy. He lives today in Brooklyn and works for a bank. He was predisposed to respiratory infections, and we spent many a night in the ER getting nebulizer treatments. I am so sorry your little angel left you, she obviously had a very happy life here while she stayed. My best wishes to you and yours, and God bless.
How wonderful that you got to attend a taping of Ellen. I bet Maddie was there in spirit. The pics of her are beautiful, as all pics of her are. Thoughts & Prayers.
Hello Heather,
You don’t know me but I’ve been a reader for some time. I saw this today and I was moved. You see, in the past 3 months or so, I have emailed the Ellen show twice. They have an email address for you to email with show ideas etc. Twice now, and I plan to continue, I have emailed them suggesting Heather Spohr AS A GUEST. I’ve written about how inspiring you are as a mother and about Maddie’s amazing little life. I’ve told them about your March of Dimes work and Friends of Maddie. I have told them about Maddie’s love for Ellen. I know it is a long shot because they get so many emails but I think you would be an amazing guest with an amazing story to tell. When I saw this today it took my breath away because you were so close to the guest chair, where you belong!
Love to you and yours,
Mandy
wow..this moved me to tears. it’s so true!
See, what we need is a petition of some sort. A whole cart full of squeaky wheels, that’s us!
Sam´s last [type] ..G-Dammit
Wow Mandy… that would be so cool! I watch Ellen every now and again. I love the music and when everyone’s dancing. Ellen does have some moves.
Love those pictures of Maddie w/ Ellen. How adorable. Thanks for sharing.
Have a great weekend!
As soon as I saw this post I thought the same thing! Only, you’re way ahead of me of course since you’ve emailed her. What an awesome idea! We should all send in emails–assuming Heather would want to be on the show. I would LOVE LOVE to see and hear Heather talk on Ellen–outreach about the March of Dimes, share videos of Maddie’s sweet dance moves, and have Annie charm the lollipops off of America. And of course, so many people would get to hear and garner hope from your amazing story.
how fun that you got to be at the ellen show, and i bet maddie was right there next to you dancing along.
xoxo
Aw, that must have been very difficult for you, Heather. I don’t know how you did it. I could never watch the show again, with such a tight Maddie connection. Never mind actually seeing it in person!
I must say, though. I HATE ELLEN. She’s really awful. You and Maddie and Annie usually have such good taste! I just can’t stand her. She tries way too hard, e.g., that awful Cover Girl commercial where she’s making all the ridiculous faces…I don’t get that at all, by the way. Why would you put a masculine woman in a makeup commercial — something that’s the epitome of girliness??!!?? There is nothing easy, breazey or beautiful about Ellen….except that she’s *easy* to hate!
Yeah, can’t stand her. Not funny at all.
But I’m glad to hear that you got to go! My momma’s heart aches for you, but at the same time, I’m sounds like it was a great experience for you!
Madi
I’ll be watching the front row for you! Ellen is one of the few shows I’d love to be in the studio audience for.
Amanda M.´s last [type] ..You Deserve to Be Eaten by Zombies
I have never been so jealous in my life. That is on my bucket list. LUCKY!!!!!!!
WOW me being jealous fits my name today. <3 JEllis
I SAW YOU! For like 1/2 of a millisecond. And totally not your face because your arm was in the way. LOL!
I think that it’s funny that the Royal Wedding was today and they were talking about it like it happened today when the show was filmed yesterday.
So happy you got to do something that let you think of Maddie for a while. You will get to keep that with you forever.
Those are the cutest photos of Maddie in front of the tv with Ellen in the background! Very cute. How fun that you went to see a taping of Ellen! I would love to go one day, too. I went to see a taping of Dr. Phil once. Um, not quite the same. For one thing, no dancing! And he’s just….not as funny.
katrina @ They All Call Me Mom´s last [type] ..got gas
LOVE the pics of Maddy “with” Ellen.
Holli (B’s Mom)´s last [type] ..YOGA
OH. MY. GOD. i have no words. you have NO idea how badly i’ve been wanting to go to the ellen show. i just wrote a blog post about her, after reading your post. i’ve written her a couple times (see blog post), but alas…no response….sigh…..very sad face. did you get free stuff????!!!!! i haven’t watched my dvr yet, so i haven’t seen the show yet. i watch her every day.
Samantha´s last [type] ..Present Day- The History of Ellen and MeEllen and IMe and EllenEllen and Me- Right
A happy memory and a sad thought all in one… must be tough for you. Hope you loved it as much as you possibly could have though.
Ohh my goodnes. Eventually I will be able to read this whole post. Maybe once I can see clearly through my tears. First off Maddie is beautiful. Second. My son Jacob who became my angel 2-10-06 LOVED the Ellen Show. Like you we had to be by the TV at 3pm and he couldn’t wait for it to start. He would dance and laugh, ohhh how I loved the sound of his laugh. I have only watched our much loved show a handfull of times since he passed.
Not sure why I needed to say this too you, I guess just the similarities of both our children loving this show. Please just know my heart aches for you and your husband for your loss of a beautiful daughter. But it also smiles for you because of beautiful Annie.
What an amazing day this must have been. I bet Maddie was dancing right there with you. Love to you and your sweet family.
I am sure the woman had a moving story but so is yours…
I’m glad you were able to go to the show and have fun. Enjoy dancing and watching with Annie and know Maddie is watching and dancing and smiling along with you.
Penbleth´s last [type] ..Well- that was the weekend- tomorrow it’s porridge