When I saw my friend Anissa in February of this year, after we hugged and squealed she pushed me away and said, “I’m so mad at you for not bringing that baby!” I told her that I’d brought the next best thing – a video of Madeline that I’d filmed just for Anissa.
I’d been chatting with Anissa the first time Maddie heard Beyonce’s song “Single Ladies.” I told Anissa all about how Maddie stopped playing and started dancing. Since that song was EVERYWHERE when it first came out, Maddie quickly learned it and would dance whenever it came on the radio or TV. Mike and I taught her the hand motion to go along with the video, and then it was all over. So, of course Anissa wanted to see proof of this.
The last time I saw Anissa, in September, we watched one of our favorite TV Shows Glee. “Single Ladies” was one of the songs on the show. She sat there and held my hand when the tears filled my eyes. That night, we laid side by side and talked about Maddie.
This one’s for you, Anissa.
if you can’t see the video above, click here.
{ 62 comments… read them below or add one }
beautiful. just beautiful
.-= pamela´s last blog ..Hello (Again)! =-.
She is such a precious soul….
That song seems to work on all babies… grin.
Love that OO face she makes… Continuing to hope that your friend will be allright! Maybe Madeline can put in a good word for Anissa in that special place where she is now…
.-= catherine lucas´s last blog ..Good Bad Boys… =-.
I’m sure Maddie is doing the Single Ladies dance for you and Anissa right now!
.-= Anne Y´s last blog ..Open Letter #9 =-.
So cute! Come on Anissa!! We’re all pulling for you!
Heather, as always, thanks for letting us in!
No words…just love. All around.
.-= Carrie´s last blog ..Underwire =-.
What a darling girl. Sending love and hugs your way, and to all Anissa’s many friends.
.-= Kate @ UpsideBackwards´s last blog ..A lesson in getting what you want =-.
I only know you through Twitter, Heather, but I can picture our Anissa holding your hand and cuddling you up during Glee NO PROBLEM. Thank you so much for sharing Maddie with us. She is a beautiful soul.
And Anissa will be back. That’s our Anissa. She’ll be back, dammit, with dramatic flourish. There is no other alternative.
.-= missbanshee´s last blog ..Dear Anissa 2 =-.
Love you Maddie!
(((Hugs)))
Been thinking about your friend, Anissa. I’m hoping that soon you’ll be able to post that she is doing much better. In the meantime, sending a hug.
.-= Lynn from For Love or Funny´s last blog ..Before, During, and After =-.
I ADORE my children. But Heather and Mike, your little darling girl is so incredibly special. Those amazing eyes, her beautiful elongated limbs, her spirit.
Thinking of her and you and Anissa. xxxx
.-= Seraphim´s last blog ..Rory’s Garden, Part 24 =-.
HUGS to all of you.
.-= Jenny @ http://motherlawyercrazywoman.blogspot.com/´s last blog ..Raise A Can =-.
There is something magical for kids about that song– mine love it too.
Been thinking so much of Anissa and you, her inner circle…
.-= Scary Mommy´s last blog ..One of Us =-.
Nobody can resist dancing to Single Ladies – but Maddie’s the best!
xo from CT,
Amanda
.-= amanda´s last blog ..I’ll sleep when I’m dead =-.
What IS it about that song? lol.
Sweet little dancer.
She’s as good of a friend to you, as you are to her. She’ll be okay Heather. It will be okay, Sending you and Anissa a huge virtual hug and many prayers.
I can see why Anissa LOVED her video! Maddie is such a sweetie. I’m sure Anissa would love how Maddie is hamming it up for her. Now, if she’d get better so you guys can sit and watch this together, over and over.
.-= Karen Chatters´s last blog ..It seems like only yesterday =-.
Sweet child!
.-= Jenny´s last blog ..Uphill Both Ways =-.
Praying for Anissa, Madeline is so wonderful!
Heather, I will always love this video. Seriously.
.-= Molly´s last blog ..Blog Change =-.
And I am sure Maddie is in heaven and has Jesus jammin to it too! Hope Anissa Is on the road to recovery!
Adorable! Prayers all around….
.-= jen´s last blog ..Seven Quick Takes Friday! 2nd edition =-.
When that song started the Glee episode, the very first person I thought of was your Maddie.
Continued love surrounding Anissa.
adorable. thank you for sharing.
what a character!
love the ghostbuster reference and her little face light up when she said “uh oh”. she is beautiful.
.-= Momma Uncensored´s last blog ..internal =-.
Too adorable
I know Maddie’s up there doing the Single Ladies dance for Anissa and watching over her.
Love and hugs.
.-= Lisa´s last blog ..Flying With a Toddler =-.
Here’s a Single Ladies spin just for Maddie and Anissa. Sending positive vibes all around; hope Anissa’s family is all right. I’m sure they’re so very thankful Anissa has friends like you.
Our little one just LOVES that song, but I have to say, no one can hold a candle to Maddie’s moves! Such a precious baby and that video so perfectly captures her spirit~ so playful and full of joy! What a blessing she was. Gone far, far too soon, but thank God for the 17 months she was here.
May your angel baby watch over and protect your good friend, and you and Binky too of course. I’m praying!
Love to all of you.
Tee hee. Pretty Maddie.
I hope Anissa is up and watching Glee again soon.
That makes tears fill my eyes for multiple reasons. All I can say is you and Anissa are lucky to have eachother. As for Maddie, you know. Just wow.
.-= binkytowne´s last blog ..The Things You Do =-.
Sending lots of love and good thought yours and Anissa’s way!
.-= Michelle Pixie´s last blog ..Ghosts =-.
That is absoluetly adorable!!
So stinkin’ cute!
.-= Heidi´s last blog ..Revelation =-.
Something about that song– no one can resist it. Thanks for sharing the video.
.-= J´s last blog ..When does the grass get greener? =-.
What a sweet video – I just love watching Maddie! I don’t think I could ever get tired of it!
Thinking of you and Anissa today. Hope to hear some good news soon!
.-= thebonmama´s last blog ..Because I have no shame =-.
Absolutely adorable! Maddie is the most beautiful angel, dancing up there in the heavens, I am sure. Her little face is such a ray of sunshine in my otherwise crap-filled day! Thank you so much for sharing. And God bless Anissa!
She always amazes me with her beautiful personality.
You are a good friend. I don’t know Anissa, but she is in my prayers
Awww! I love that video. Em apparently does, too. She practically shoved me out of the way to watch Maddie while she waved furiously and said, “HI! HI! HI!”
She misses Maddie, too.
Lots of healing thoughts to Anissa and her family. And hugs for all of you.
.-= Nanette´s last blog ..Nom nom! =-.
Precious! Thanks for sharing! and hoping to hear that your friend Anissa is on her way to a full recovery! Prayers going out to her and her family! Sending you hugs XXX
Ok, I give up. Downloading it from iTunes now. (The Beyonce version, not the Glee version. Because I’ve never watched Glee. I know! Don’t hate me. I’ll wait until season 1 is on DVD & catch up on all of it at once.)
.-= cindy w´s last blog ..Free Anissa =-.
Sister and I always think of Maddie when we hear Single Ladies. Always.
Love to Anissa and her family, and to you, Mike, Maddie, and Binky always.
xoxo
.-= Alison´s last blog ..A Really Good Way to Tell Us Apart =-.
Praying for Anissa
.-= Jenn´s last blog ..The Great Communicator =-.
How cute!!
.-= Rebecca´s last blog ..Dollar Donation =-.
I love your Ghostbusters reference. Thanks for posting this video. She’s such a darling.
.-= Abby´s last blog ..Short Bread Cookies =-.
That’s so effing cute.
.-= Aunt Becky´s last blog ..A Little From Column A, A Little From Column 2 =-.
Absolutely precious. Thinking about you and saying a prayer for Anissa.
.-= Lisa´s last blog ..The Rain Gives Way to Sun & Oprah Is Turning Off The Cameras? =-.
I love watching her. Thanks for sharing these videos with us.
Praying very hard for Anissa…
.-= Elaine´s last blog ..PSF – Prettier Picture – UPDATED* =-.
Heard that song this morning and thought about Maddie.
Love the video.
.-= Issa´s last blog ..I fear for my future grandchildren =-.
Thank you for sharing that sweet video. I barely made it through Glee this week, knowing my dear friend was missing it. Anissa- get well quick- Mr. Shu is waiting!
Praying that Anissa keeps fighting and getting better!
Oh Maddie makes me laugh. Missing her, and thinking of you as ever.
.-= Sarah´s last blog ..Shakespeare =-.
OMG that is the most insanely cute thing EVER!! Oh Heather, my heart just breaks for you. It’s unfathomable that she’s not here with you. Honey I am so sorry for all you’ve had to endure, your child, your best friend, and now Anissa. You deserve every future blessing God has.
heather, you are hysterical.
“you can do the motions and the music! oh is that too much pressure?”
no wonder maddie lived her life as a smiley little pumpkin, the humor you and mike clearly fill your lives with was certainly all around her!
looking forward to baby binky’s encore presentation of whatever beyonce song comes out next…
Love that little clip of Maddie. So precious!!!!
Always in my prayers
i’m really wondering why this year is so full of suck! i’m praying for her, giving her what I can and hope and pray for a happy ending here. She so deserves it.
.-= gorillabuns´s last blog ..Hey, you! =-.
aww, that’s adorable!
.-= Casey´s last blog ..Grace in Small Things: part 27 of 70 =-.
I meant to write this yesterday but I don’t profess to have the best memory…
I was in my car yesterday headed home, listening to my iPod on shuffle. “Single Ladies” came on, and usually I skip over it, but this time I smiled for Maddie and Anissa, cranked it up, and did the dance, hoping that Maddie was smiling and Anissa is steadily recovering.
XOXO to all of you!
That video just makes me smile!
I love this video! Not only is Maddie absolutely darling but I love hearing the love Heather has for Maddie as she talks to her.
Heather, the fear that you described in the post from today does sound absolutely overwhelming. I don’t know you personally but I do know that you will be the perfect Mother for Binky – exactly what she needs!
I am praying for all of you right now; Anissa and her family, Mike, Heather & Binky, and wishing all of you many Thanksgiving blessings!
Awww. I remember watching that video for the first time, just over six months ago.
And I remember watching that episode of Glee from our nearby villa in NC, thinking of you and Maddie.
HUGS to your family, and continued prayers for Anissa’s full recovery.
Single Ladies just came on the radio. Precious Maddie immediately came to mind…so we cranked that sucker up and danced like nobody was watching. The neighbors may or may not have called the cops. Here’s hoping Maddie had that gorgeous grin on watching us act like fools. We enjoyed every second of it…for her.