Today is not a day to be angry at God
Or to mourn the lives we will never lead
It is not a day for asking why
Or avoiding the places we used to go
Today is not a day to fill with distractions
Or to spend pretending all is okay
It is not a day for jealousy
Of fathers and daughters laughing in the sun
Today is to celebrate you
My sweet, perfect, wonderful Moo
Your head on my shoulder
Your beautiful smile
The good in your heart
The pride in mine
The love we share
Deeper than any distance
Happy Birthday, Maddie.
November 11th will always be a happy day because it was the day you came to me.
{ 110 comments… read them below or add one }
Lovely and heartbreaking. Happy Birthday, dearest Maddie.
Maddie was such an amazing and beautiful girl.
Keeping you all in my heart today…Happy Birthday, sweet girl
Such a moving post, happy birthday beautiful Maddie x
Beautiful little angel.
.-= pamela´s last blog ..To My Very Special Grandma =-.
Beautiful, perfect, wonderful. Good on you, Mike. Enjoy the cream puffs!
.-= Kate @ UpsideBackwards´s last blog ..Meltdown =-.
A beautiful tribute to celebrate a most beautiful little girl. … Happy Birthday Maddie. You are remembered all over the world.
So much love to all of you, and especially to the birthday girl. We love you, Maddie.
xo from CT,
Amanda
Absolutely beautiful Mike.
Happy Birthday Maddie!
Happy Brithday Maddie~ from one daddy’s girl to another!
.-= Anne Y´s last blog ..Wordless Wednesday-Happy Birthday Maddie =-.
Sending love to you, Heather, Maddie, Binky, and Rigsby. Today and everyday, we celebrate Maddie.
xo
happy birthday to maddie. and to her wonderful parents i say this: that you have chosen to fill your hearts and your future with love and happy memories over bitterness and sadness is the true definition of courage. i know you have your very low days, but today, maddie’s day, i am so honored to read your positive words that uplift all of us to a better place, a place closer to your magnificent daughter.
peace.
xo
kristen
Happy Birthday, Maddie. Love to all of you today.
A beautiful day indeed. Happy Birthday sweet Maddie!
happy birthday, maddie, and peace to your loving parents.
.-= jenni´s last blog ..RTT: This is Mostly About Facebook =-.
Mike, this is beautiful. I’m glad you are celebrating…there are so many of us out here with you. Xo
Love you, Mike. And proud to know you.
.-= Maria´s last blog ..love today, and always, Maddie =-.
Absolutely beautiful!!!
Happy Birthday Maddie!
We will remember you always.
.-= AmazingGreis´s last blog ..Happy Birthday Maddie… =-.
Perfect. Have a beautiful day loving & remembering your beautiful girl.
.-= Jenny from Mommin’ It Up´s last blog ..Fail Whale =-.
Beautiful post. Happy Birthday Maddie. Thinking of you and Heather always.
Much love to you and Heather. I will always remember your darling little Maddie.
Happy Birthday, Maddie.
.-= Kelly´s last blog ..The problem with self-removable shoes… =-.
Absolutely beautiful, Mike. Thinking of you and Heather, today especially, as you celebrate the life of your vibrant angel. I’m sure she’s smiling that priceless smile.
Much love.
.-= PsychMamma´s last blog ..H1N1 Vaccine Info =-.
Oh, Mike. This is beautiful. Thinking of you all, Maddie especially, today and every day.
.-= Maggie, dammit´s last blog ..tickets to the gun show =-.
That were beautiful words about your beautiful daughter.
.-= Ms. Moon´s last blog ..Oh, Love =-.
I just left this comment on Heather’s post:
Happy B-day Maddie! Much peace to you and Heather today.
Happy Birthday Maddie. We will always celebrate your day. As always, thinking of you and Heather.
Happy Birthday Maddie.
.-= Susan´s last blog ..Just chatting =-.
Your family is in my thoughts today.
.-= Melisa with one s´s last blog ..Poppies =-.
Happy birthday dear Maddie. And peace to you and Heather, Mike.
happy birthday beautiful maddie. such strength you have to write such exquisite words… then again, you have an exquisite muse in that precious little person. peace to you.
.-= nic @mybottlesup´s last blog ..a knee brace, constipation and a drafted book rolled into a burrito topped with awesome sauce =-.
Happy Birthday Maddie. Thinking of you all today and getting everyone in my family a cream puff in her memory…
Love the post – Happy Birthday to Maddie and to you and Heather. May your day only be filled with great thoughts! Prayers from Myrtle Beach!
.-= MBKimmy´s last blog ..Halloween =-.
That was beautiful, Mike. You are all in our hearts, especially on this special day.
.-= Karen Chatters´s last blog ..Happy Birthday, Maddie! =-.
Beautifully said Mike. You and Heather are in my heart and in my thoughts today.
Happy Birthday Maddie.
.-= Lisa´s last blog ..Happy Birthday Maddie =-.
Happy Birthday to your Little Madeline. All my love to you today tomorrow and always.
.-= themaggers´s last blog ..Maddie =-.
You are amazing – and I know Maddie’s spirit is proud.
Beautiful. Thinking about you all today and always.
.-= maya´s last blog ..Happy Birthday Little Girl =-.
Sending you thoughts today and every day.
.-= Angie [A Whole Lot of Nothing]´s last blog ..Birth Day =-.
Thinking of you and Heather today.
.-= Lisa_in_WI´s last blog ..59 =-.
Beautifully written. Thinking of you and Heather and Maddie today and every day.
beautiful. much love and thoughts and hugs to you, heather and Maddie today. y’all are thought about daily by me. happy birthday maddie
Sending you strength and love.
Happy Birthday Maddie!
xo
.-= sam {temptingmama}´s last blog ..Remember =-.
Simply beautiful.
this beautifully summarized to me the boundlessness of real love. even though this world is so transitory, nothing can remove the love you share with your daughter. happy birthday maddie, what a beautiful gift you share not only on your special day, but regularly through the hearts of your parents who’s testament to it warms so many of us.
Happy Birthday beautiful girl.
Your love for each other truly comes through in these picture. Happy birthday little angel. We miss you!!
.-= Candice´s last blog ..Delivering Graham =-.
Happy Birthday Maddie Moo!
Thinking of you guys especially today. May your day be filled with cream puffs and happy memories.
Happy, happy birthday to sweet Maddie.
.-= Aunt Becky´s last blog ..Follow Meeeee Tiny Dancer! (et. all) =-.
Thinking of Maddie today, and every day.
Love to you and Heather.
xoxo
A beautiful tribute. Thinking of you and Heather today, as I do every day. Happy birthday, Maddie!
(((hugs)))
So very beautiful! Happy Birthday to beautiful Maddie up in heaven!
.-= Patty´s last blog ..I Am =-.
Happy Birthday Sweet Girl. Love to you all today.
Breathtaking. Your words are always so well written. Thinking of you and your amazing Maddie always. Happy Birthday Maddie!
.-= Amanda´s last blog ..A Sincere Thank You =-.
Beautifully done, man. In every way.
happy b day maddie moo! love to heather and mike
Thinking of all of you today. Happy Birthday to Maddie!
Sending much love – you’re all in my thoughts. <3
Happy Birthday Maddie! Binky and Maddie are so lucky to have such wonderful parents.
Thanks for sharing those beautiful moments, I adore Maddie’s gorgeous blue eyes. Thinking of you and Heather today.
Your Madeline is so perfectly beautiful, as is your love for her. Happy Birthday to Maddie!
Happy birthday to your beautiful angel baby Mike. Tons of love and hugs to you and Heather today.
.-= Issa´s last blog ..Happy 2nd birthday Maddie Moo =-.
Happy Birthday Maddie!!!!
Happy Birthday Maddie Moo!
That was beautiful. Happy Birthday, Maddie. Love to you all.
Happy Birthday to sweet baby Maddie
.-= Cat´s last blog ..Happy Birthday, Madeline =-.
Stunning post. Thinking of you, Heather, and Binky on sweet Maddie’s second birthday.
.-= Alicia @ bethsix´s last blog ..Happy Birthday, Maddie =-.
Thinking of you, and Heather, and your beautiful Maddie today…praying for strength for you and Happy Birthday wishes to her…
The tears are running down my face because this post was so beautiful and moving and because you are BEST DADDY EVER. I love you.
.-= Stefanie´s last blog ..Happy Birthday Madeline =-.
I am crying. This is so beautiful and so painful.
.-= Dawn´s last blog ..Is This a Trick, or a Treat? =-.
Deeper than any distance.
It’s beautiful and heartbreaking to see so much love.
You were in my mind today all day long.
You both amaze me with your grace & courage. Maddie would be so very proud.
I love it. I know that you don’t know me, but I think of you guys often. Hugs to you both.
Remembering and celebrating Madeline with you and Heather today and always Mike. That feeling of the miraculousness of the arrival of our babies- you captured that beautifully. A day to celebrate, the day Maddie came to the world. Much love.
.-= K´s last blog ..Madeline Alice Spohr should be two today =-.
Happy Birthday to Madeline. Beautiful words. You are all in my thoughts.
Happy Birthday Madeline. Mike … I wish I had some words, some thoughts, SOMETHING to say. All I can come up with is that your love for your daughter is moving and breath-taking beyond measure. I am glad that you seem to have a small measure of peace on this day.
“November 11th will always be a happy day because it was the day you came to me.”
More beautiful words have never been written, Mike.
Happy Birthday to dear Maddie. We’ll never forget her!
Much love to you and your family.
Happy birthday Maddie.
.-= Dawn´s last blog ..my poor funny bone =-.
Many, many, many hugs tonight from Georgia. Happy Birthday to Maddie – I will never forget her.
.-= Amanda´s last blog ..November 11 – Maddie’s Day =-.
Beautiful post. You are all in my thoughts.
.-= kim.hormone-colored days´s last blog ..Parenting Gifted Children: Speaking Out for Gifted Children in Illinois =-.
Happy Birthday Maddie…you have been on my mind all day…
.-= Barb´s last blog ..Shopping =-.
Celebrating Maddie’s birthday and the amazing parents she has in you and Heather. Every child should be so lucky to be loved this much.
.-= PrincessJenn´s last blog ..You Can Be My Hero, Baby =-.
Happy Birthday Maddie. I thought about you and your Mom and Dad all day today. You are loved and missed.
.-= Melanie @ Mel, A Dramatic Mommy´s last blog ..Happy 2nd Birthday Maddie =-.
Beautiful. I wish I could have known your little girl. Happy Birthday to Maddie. <3
.-= Kel´s last blog ..For Maddie =-.
beautiful.
she is loved and missed by so many.
.-= Neena´s last blog ..rainy november days =-.
Beautiful words for your beautiful daughter. Happy Birthday Maddie
.-= Carrie´s last blog ..Fear and Loathing in the Doctor’s Office =-.
Your grief is carried by so many people, yet so many of us have no idea what your grief truly feels like. Everyday hundreds of us read about your beautiful daughter and have grown to love her. My heart breaks for your family with every post and yet each post makes me smile at what a wonderful little girl she was. I am so sorry you, Heather, Rigby, and the rest of your family have to go through this. Please know your Maddie has touched thousands of lives.
Perfect. Thinking and praying for you today and always –
.-= amy2boys´s last blog ..Re-Direct Wednesday =-.
There is something so special about daddies and little girls. She was clearly so in love with you and you with her. Happy Birthday Maddie!!
.-= JennK´s last blog ..A complete whackaloon. =-.
My heart breaks for you, and rejoices all at the same time. You have known love. You know love.
And that is more than many people discover in a lifetime.
Maddie was so lucky to have you as her Daddy (Binky is too). Beautifully written. I hope you were able to find moments of Joy today.
Love Maddie, and you and Heather, too. Thinking of you all today.
love to you, heather and sweet, beautiful maddie moo. you are always in my thoughts and my heart. i sent extra big hugs to you all today. xoxo
Happy Birthday, sweet, beautiful Maddie!!! And my heart goes out to you and Heather. Sending a balloon to Heaven today for Maddie!
.-= Amanda (Garibay Soup)´s last blog ..A little edition of my kids say =-.
Thank you and Heather for sharing your girl with us. She will always be remembered and loved, not only on her birthday but on every other day as well.
No words….. Just tears… God Bless you and Heather, today and always. Happy Birthday sweet, sweet girl.
Happy birthday sweet baby girl…..
Happy Birthday Maddie. What a beautiful post to honor beautiful Maddie!!! Sending you ang Heather hugs!!!XXX
I only started reading Heather’s blog last April but not a day goes by now where I don’t think of your Maddie. I’m not sure why but there are purple ribbons all around the neighborhood surrounding the local elementary school & I think of Maddie and see her gorgeous little face in my mind.
The pictures are so beautiful and its also so heart breaking that she cant be with you.
My hugs to you and Heather.
Beautiful. Absolutely beautiful. Happy Birthday, Maddie. We miss you!
You’re a good man Mike and an even better daddy. Today I celebrate Maddie’s life, but cry for her loss. Such beautiful memories, breath taking pictures and so many wonderful stories. OOOhh Beautiful Maddie….I’ve never met you yet, I feel like I know you. I miss you and I wish more than ANYTHING you were here every single day. You make us better people Maddie and I will always remember that and ALWAYS appreciate it!
Oh my gosh, those eyebrows! They are fantastic!
(p.s. found you while blog-surfing)
.-= Maureen´s last blog ..The Plan Keeps Coming Up Again =-.
Wonderful tribute to one beautiful little girl.
Dearest Mike…
You have to be the sweetest Daddy in the whole wide world. Maddie is the luckiest girl in the world. Binky is the second luckiest. Then there’s Heather. Man… lucky women all over the place. Lucky, Lucky, Lucky!
*sniff* Beautiful post. Lovely photos. xoxo
We never go to the cemetery on Matthew’s birthday. That is our day of JOY of HIM. We go out all day as a family and watch as many fun movies as we can squeeze in the day and go out to dinner and laugh and talk and hug each other. And tears eek out as we do it.
Your little one is beautiful, amazing and so very loved. Though I know it was an extremely hard day, I am so glad that you were able to focus on the joy that she is on her day.
xo
.-= Loralee´s last blog ..Aquaphor review and gift basket giveaway. (Did I mention the $100 Visa gift card? This giveaway is buckets of awesomesauce.) =-.
Just read about your own birthday on Heather’s Site. I hope your birthday was as good as it could be. I want to say “happy birthday”, but I know it wasn’t the same as it should have been and I am worried that ‘happy birthday’ alone sounds like I don’t ‘get it’. Wishing you moments of peace and comfort…thinking of you and sending (((hugs))).
Thinking of you with incredible admiration on your birthday and every day. Peace to you, Susan
Just read this again – and got misty-eyed again.
Glad to see you dispensing film advice on Twitter; I’ve been enjoying seeing your recommendations in the last few days. My tweets are protected, so I haven’t been able to respond there, but I wanted to let you know that your movie knowledge was being appreciated. ;p
I have a feeling your family and friends will be keeping you all close this holiday season. Please know there are even more of us out here thinking of you, beyond driving distance.
I met Heather at Type A Mom in September, and hoped to meet you on my road trip in early November, but I know that was a stressful time with Heather’s back and Maddie’s Birthday coming up. Hope to meet you someday. *HUGS* to you and your whole family.
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