Last week I took Annie over to my friend Tara’s house so she could play with Tara’s kids. Even though Annie asks me (no joke) 37 times an hour if she can “go see Baby Molly,” the trip was more for me than her. Mike was gone and I needed to get out of the house. Tara’s backyard is everything ours isn’t: big, grassy, and full of awesome toys.
Tara’s oldest daughter Reilly is six now. I have a hard time remembering that…she’s still a toddler in my head. But, that girl is smart and picks up on everything around her. I was joking with Tara and said the word, “gangsta,” and Reilly said, “Heather, what does ‘gangsta’ mean?” Whoops, my bad.
Later, when the kids were on the swing set, Reilly asked me my middle name, then Mike’s, then Annie’s, and then Maddie’s. I remember when I discovered middle names – they fascinated me. I stood there pushing Annie and then Reilly said, “It’s sad that Annabel never saw Maddie.”
Reilly talks about Maddie a lot, and I really love it. This time I told her, “yes, it’s very sad, but the good thing is that you remember her, and you can tell Annie all about her.”
Later, the kids were jumping on the trampoline. I told Reilly and her brother Georgie that Annie had never been on one before, and to please be careful with her while she got the hang of it. Reilly would take a few jumps, then ask Annie if she was okay.
At one point I heard Reilly say, “Annie! You have a sister named Maddie, but she died! She was so beautiful! I will tell you about her, OKAY.”
Annie didn’t get it, but said, “OKAY!” back. She was just happy she had Reilly’s undivided attention.
I love that Reilly loves and remembers Maddie so much. So many people are afraid to tell me that. I hope some day she does tell Annie about her because, cause, yes, Reilly…..Maddie IS so beautiful.
Sue says:
Reilly sounds like one terrific little girl……….letting you know that she remembers Maddie, and wanting to tell Annie about her.
cj says:
that is so sweet. what a kind, little girl.
Jenn says:
That’s so sweet!! Reilly sounds like a great kid!!! I’m glad she remember’s Maddie!!! I’m sure she will tell Annie some AMAZING Stories about her Beautiful sister, Maddie!!!
Lisa says:
Annie is lucky to have such a special little girl in her life to look out for her and her Maddie memories with her.
soleil says:
That’s so beautiful
Lora says:
God bless her sweet little soul, what a wonderful thing to have a friend who can tell Annie all about Maddie from a child’s perspective. Maddie IS a beautiful girl, and she should always be talked about and remembered for all the beauty and joy she brought to this world!
TamaraL says:
Wow, if we all could be as honest and open as children! So glad you have such a special little girl in your life that remembers Maddie so fondly!
Tammy M. says:
This post makes me admire your friend, Tara. What a cool daughter she is raising! Talk about open, honest and loving! I would make sure your sweet Annie is around that girl A LOT!
Adrianne says:
Sometimes the honesty and openness of children can create some very awkward moments. “Mommy, that lady smells funny!”
But then there are other times like this when it makes you wish that adults could hold on to more of that childhood innocence and openness. What a sweet, sweet little girl that Reilly is! So glad that Annie will have Maddie’s friends to tell her all about the beautiful, smily girl who left us way too soon.
Heather, your Madeline IS a beautiful, beautiful girl and I miss her. Even though I never really knew her.
keri says:
I have an 8 year old Reilly. I am biased, but it sounds like Tara’s Reilly is just as special as mine I love that she remembers Maddie and will share that w/Annie
Erin W says:
What a dollbaby Reilly is! I can’t imagine that many people who had the pleasure of knowing Maddie could/would possibly forget her. Just by her pictures alone, she could light up a room!
Heather B. says:
That is super cute.
Shannon says:
Aww, this is a heartwarming post. I loved it.
Marie says:
Yes Heather, Maddie is beautiful!
That smile is like the light of God. She just shines from within. You were blessed to have her in your life. You and Mike and even Annie.
Hugs from Minnesota
Marie
edenland says:
Weeping at this post.
I love the honesty of children. It’s such a shame we lose it, as we grow older. (But great when we reclaim it again, as adults.)
Love you. XXX
Erin says:
Wow. This post made me sob. It is so wonderful that Annie and Maddie have Reilly to keep them all connected in that special way that seem to be unique to children. Ok, time to go refill my Kleenex supply. Sheesh.
Kristin says:
That’s amazing. What a wonderful little girl!! Its so great that Annie has friends that remember her sister and can tell her all about her.
Pattie says:
This is such a beautiful post. And it’s beautiful and so heartwarming how Reilly remembers Maddie.
Kristen @ The Chronicles of Dutch says:
Reilly sounds so sweet. What a lovely post.
Sara says:
I love,love, love this post! Annie is lucky that she will have a friend to tell her all about her big sister. I know that was a special moment for you!
Nicole Singleton says:
what a sweetheart. Thank goodness Annie has her to help her know her big sister.
Marta says:
I hope she tells her all about Maddie too. =)
Lanie says:
I am so glad she remembers Maddie. I always wish more people met our sons so that others could help keep their memories alive.
I love that she is already telling Annie about her big sister. Maddie is beautiful and thank you again for sharing her with us.
LIbby says:
That is amazing and beautiful and i can’t even dream how important that is to you. What a great little person Reilly sounds like!
Mommy says:
What a special little girl! No wonder she loves your Maddie so!
Rebecca says:
Full on crying here. Reminds me of my half brother and how he tells me things about my other half brother that I can’t remember since he died when I was young. I ache for those details that I don’t have as memories. I think Annie will appreciate them as well.
Auntie_M says:
What a wonderful girl Reilley is! And how wonderful that she can be a memory-keeper for Annie of Maddie and help fill in as big sister to Annie for her friend whom she still loves so much. Such a precious time & a special connection for Annie & Reilley
Jamie says:
OUt of the mouths of babes.
Smoochagator says:
Thank goodness for Reilly.
Debra @ A Frugal Friend says:
Thank goodness for the Reilly’s of the world – those who aren’t afraid of our tears!! We need more of them
Lindsay says:
Hi Heather! I started reading your blog about 2 months ago, I started at the very beginning & have made it this far. I’m a little afraid of actually getting caught up, as much as I want to be able to follow in real time, I treat it as a book right now. I haven’t commented before, but this post really made a light go off in my head. I have 4 children, 12, 10, 5, and 7 months & I must say that if it was one of my children in Reilly’s place I might have tried to stop them from talking, afraid it might make you upset. I see now that talking can actually make things better. Sometimes we need to take a step back & let our kids guide us. You can tell Annie so many great things about Maddie, but I’m sure that having Reilly’s perspective will be so different, as a kids perspective usually is. I have laughed, cried, and even yelled with you while reading this, but most importantly I learned about Maddie. I never knew her or you, but she changed the way I look at life. Maddie made a difference in this world & I have a feeling she is nowhere near done yet. Now, back to finish my awesome book about a wonderful little family.