That minute we walked through the door
there wasn’t laughter anymore
The toys, once cheerful all around,
sat there silent without sound
Favorite books and dollies lay
unknowing she won’t come to play
The blankies that once kept out chill
stay in the cupboard soft and still,
Her dog, her sweet and loyal friend,
cannot comprehend the end
Hearts are broken, eyes are cried,
our darling little girl has died
And there we stood inside that door
she doesn’t live here anymore.
{ 97 comments… read them below or add one }
<3
is there anything more to say really?
you’re surrounded by love, wish there were some words that could help heal that hurt
Heather´s last [type] ..How Grandma danced with Gene Kelly…
Simple & beautiful. *hugs*
Mark (Dudge OH)´s last [type] ..dudgeoh- Blog Turning Things Around – http-bitly-c1mzKw Autism ASD Aspergers parenting
This made me cry.
You are so talented.
<3. Miss her.
Mandy´s last [type] ..Watermelon
Still impossible to comprehend, even from this distance it hurts…<3
I miss her, Heather, and knowing that it must just be .0000000001% of how much you and Mike long for her… It’s something I can’t comprehend.
Thinking of you all always.
yes. it is just heartbreaking.
It’s hard to know just what to say,
When one so young is taken away.
Far too soon she had to part,
Her memory forever engraved in our heart.
We only knew her for a short while,
But the life she led made us smile.
She was so beautiful and oh so rare,
Life as they say just isn’t fair.
All your love you now must give,
For little Annabell you now must live.
Those gone before her will watch her with care,
Till the day comes when we’ll all join her there.
Know Maddie is watching from heaven above,
And with each ray of sunshine, she’s sending her love
Beautiful S.
Truly beautiful, S.
XOXO
Annie´s last [type] ..Why we all just need to slow down
Heartbreaking!
Thinking of you
There are no words. Just tears.
I’m thinking of you all! Even through your heartbreak your words are just so beautifully touching. Heather, your beautiful Madi will never be forgotten. She will always be loved by so many people. Big hugs for you, Mike and Annie! XXX
Wow. Just wow! Thinking about you today and every day.
Sending you lots of love and hugs.
Kate @ UpsideBackwards´s last [type] ..Monster-hunting
Sooo beautiful,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,but absolutely heartbreaking,,,,,,,,,,,,
Sending you, Mike and Annie lots of love.
The Suburban Housewife´s last [type] ..From Anxiety to Accomplishment
I don’t know how you do this…
I want to smash things for you, and yell and scream and cry, my emotions cannot touch the way you feel.
How do you do this?
You are so sweet and strong, you or any mother-father, should never have to write such words.
I’m sorry you do.
Sad….so very sad and filled with despair all for our little Maddie. Gone but Never, Ever forgotten!!!
Heather, that is so beautiful! (((hugs)))
As a writer myself, I can tell you that I wouldn’t change a thing. Except that I might change eyes to tears because it makes more sense. But I’m not trying to be critical-I really did think it was beautiful. And sad.
Sorry, but I thought that every word made perfect sense,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
It did, I just thought…well, never mind. Maybe it was obnoxious of me to say that when overall it’s so good.
No Worries Heather….I agree with Sue100% – it is PERFECT the way it is!!! It came from your heart and soul….that’s all that will ever matter. I wouldn’t change a thing Sweetie (not that you would) –
Love to you my friend. xoxo
Perfect in every way! The ONLY thing I would change….is something I can’t….Heather, you wouldn’t be writing that poem if I could have just one wish…For you to have your 2 girls with you and Mike, right where they belong! Just hugs for you all…my heart breaks for you…be well, my friend!
Good answer, and so true
Right there with you. <3
I thought of Maddie last night during the fireworks. Some of the older kids (3ish) were scared even, but I remember that Maddie wasn’t. What a special brave little soul.
Hugs and love coming your way.
heartbreaking. xo to you.
amanda´s last [type] ..100 Things- 11-15
That is so heartbreakingly beautiful. Hugs…
Sarah R´s last [type] ..Happy 4 months- Elise-
Beautifully stated, Heather.
Michele´s last [type] ..Missing Out
Beautiful! There is not much that I can say to take your pain away, but I am sending you lot of hugs.
Nicole´s last [type] ..Beautiful Evening at the Races
Thinking of you…
I’m so sorry Heather. I think of you and your family everyday. Especially your sweet Maddie. I take her memory everywhere with me. I wish I could take some of your pain into myself and give you a break from the grief.
(((Hugs)))
punkinmama´s last [type] ..the break-up
Thinking of you. ((((hugs))))
Karla´s last [type] ..the other sophie
We all miss her too.
Missing your baby girl too. Big hugs.
Diane´s last [type] ..Blog writing is hard
Beautiful.
Jenny´s last [type] ..The Poor Mans GTS- Tom Tom- Navigator
missing her.. thinking of you..
Sending your family love and hugs from across the country. I think of your precious Maddie everyday.
Momma Lioness Michele´s last [type] ..Sums It Up
Thank you for sharing this with us.
Even with the busyness of life and happiness of having Annie, I can’t imagine how often Maddie not being there overwhelms you with grief.
I bet the fireworks in Heaven are a bajillion times better than the ones the city puts on. Someday we’ll all get to share them with our loved ones.
freckleonthenose´s last [type] ..The End of an Era
I still cannot comprehend such a loss. Lots of love to you and your family.
Jessica Kubel´s last [type] ..Dear Inside NASCAR- A Jewish Fans Conundrum
I wish I could give you BIG hugs. I found your blog last summer after seeing the ‘Are you a friend of Maddie” badges on other sites.
I spent hours pouring over your posts. At the time my daughter was only 3 months old but she had also spent time in the NICU, 3 LONG weeks. It might not seem like much but it felt like forever. She wasn’t premature, she had blood sugar issues and they would drop to a very low number. Thankfully it resolved on it’s own by the time she was 6 weeks.
With all sincerity, knowing Maddie’s story and her wonderful life changed me
Elle´s last [type] ..Bloggity blog
Glad you keep us all in check with your experience we will never forget, you never have to worry about that. xoxo
Deidre´s last [type] ..End The Funeral With A Wedding
Love you all and thinking about you today. Praying for you have peace within yourself, even if just for a few moments.
(((hugs)))
Deborah´s last [type] ..Day One
And through you she lives on. . . in all of hearts and minds.
Be strong Heather. <3
So beautiful. So painful.
So much love to all of you.
Kellee´s last [type] ..Done With Hibernation
I miss her for you, Heather. I think we all do.
Stay strong.
<3 <3 <3 <3 <3 for you and yours.
*cry*
Vera´s last [type] ..Art Class
Lots of love for you and Mike, Rigby and Maddie’s baby sister Annie. ((hugs))
Rebecca´s last [type] ..Strawberry Pie II
Sending lots of love and hugs your way!!
Dawn´s last [type] ..Finding Freedom
love you
Gemini-Girl´s last [type] ..Just Sit Right Back -amp You’ll Hear a Tale
Beautiful & heartbreaking.
Thinking of you and your family always <3
What a beautifully tragic poem Heather. It’s so eloquent in heartbreaking grief that I’m filled with a powerful instinct to reach out and hug you. Of course, I don’t know you, so that might be weird… but just know that there are many of us out here who wish we could comfort you personally in your pain.
How you must miss her.
Faith….Hope….Love….Peace.
mythoughtsonthat´s last [type] ..One-Oh-
Heartbreaking and beautiful. My heart aches for you. I miss Maddie and wish she was still with you.
Love and hugs sweet friend.
Lisa´s last [type] ..There are Your Own- and then there are…The Others
Lots of <3 and (((((HUGS))))). Thinking of you and Maddie always.
XOXO from GA,
Nikki
Love to all of you, now and always.
adequatemom´s last [type] ..Worth a Thousand Words
I now have tears in my eyes!
Life is so unfair.
I miss her and my heart aches for all of you.
Sending (((HUGS)))! !
“It’s not fair. It’s NOT *censored* fair,” I want to say!
There are no words to heal your pain. But Maddie will never be forgotten. NOT.EVER!
Speechless … sending hugs and love.
Nothing to say except you guys are in my thoughts. If silent support means anything, you have all of mine.
Beautiful poem for a beautiful little girl…
Profound Heather/Mike. I too cried when I read that beautiful poem. You two should write a book about your experiences with Madeline, I bet it would be a best seller.
I would love to come out there and find that doctor you talked about before, and kick him as hard as I can right where it counts!
I have a picture of Madeline in my collage of pictures that is my screen saver. I see her adorable little face float by when I am off the computer, and she is so adorable.
Warm thoughts and prayers continue to come your way. Hug Annie a little longer, a little tighter tonight.
And this is why the world loves your blog. So honest and raw, yet many other days funny and light hearted.
I can tell you it is because of Maddie I hug my kids a little closer, and cherish everyday I have with them.
Sending lots of warm hugs your way!
Aimee´s last [type] ..Happy 4th OF JULY Take 2
What you have been through is terrible. I feel so much sadness for you all. Sending hugs across the miles.
Liz´s last [type] ..Pictures
I can’t imagine a silence like that. My house is so painfully quient when my son isn’t home. If that silence were permanent, I think it would be deafening.
Gale @ Ten Dollar Thoughts´s last [type] ..Words of Wisdom – Part II
i’m so sorry for your ache, heather. so terribly sorry. but i’m glad you’re writing.
<3
<3 and lots of hugs.
Beautifully written and so sad… You made me cry again thinking about how much you miss Maddie.
I’m sorry
There’s not much more that I can think of saying. I just wish with all my heart that she was still here with you.
Katrina´s last [type] ..Boats -amp Horses
There will never be enough “I’m so sorry”s from us to comprehend your loss, and the words “love you” will never come from the lips you long to hear it from the most, but for what it’s worth, we’re here – writing, thinking, saying it – and none of us will ever forget you or Maddie or the ones who went before us. xox
Sending you so many hugs.
christieo´s last [type] ..An Indoor Camping Trip
Speechless.
You should have never had to write that
xoxoxox
I’ve followed your blog since Maddie passed, and I have often thought about how you ever had the strength to walk through that door that very evening. You have incredible strength. You are such an inspiration to me, and so many times your blog is a daily dose of perspective. Thank you.
This was so beautiful – yet heartbreaking. . . I am bawling my eyes out right now. : (
This moves me to tears. (((Hugs))) and love to you guys.
Heather, I’ve wanted to say this before, but I never really know how to put it. I was thinking about Maddie the other day, and I realized that I think about her as a child who is very much here, and very much present and very much alive…
And that is all because of the way you write about her.
I know that having a stranger think of your baby as being present and alive doesn’t really help anything, but I guess I just wanted you to know that, for me and probably for most of those who read here, you are keeping Maddie alive by sharing her with the world.
<3
Melissa´s last [type] ..domestic novice
My heart physically aches for you. Everyday I think of your family. I see Maddies sweet sunny face on my blog sidebar and I think of you all. <3
Jenni Williams´s last [type] ..The Perfect Evening
{{{Hugs}}}
All I have are hugs, my friend.
This literally took my breath away. ((love))
Angi´s last [type] ..Why I Said Yes
(((((HUGS)))))
Powerful.
Hugs.
xoxo
Alison´s last [type] ..IQ
Beautiful and heartbreaking poem. I watched the fireworks on Sunday (in Washington DC) and there were some huge beautiful purple ones that made me think of Maddie. I never knew her, but I was thinking about your little girl that night. She will always be in our hearts.
And, with that last line, I break.
Amanda M.´s last [type] ..Sims 3- Whale Nuking- Blood Drinking- Ultra-Violence- and Some Blasphemy for Good Measure
How can something be so beautiful and so heartbreaking at the same time?
Kristin´s last [type] ..Happy 4th-
break my heart. beautiful poem. going out of town until august but will connect when i return. hugs. f.
I don’t remember the exact time, but it was around 8 pm. I remember it well. Your words capture it perfectly and painfully.
Love you.
Kim´s last [type] ..Picture Week Day 2
Heart-breakingly beautiful
Mary´s last [type] ..Roses
Tears. :’(
So terribly sad… =’(
Maddie knew she was loved. And she loved you.
And I think of her every day.