Tuesday, January 29, 2013

Our New Journey

This blog started out as a way to easily update family and friends on Maddy's progress through her treatments, but over  time, it became much more- it became our way to share Maddy's life journey.  Now, we have embarked on a new journey.  One that is more difficult to share at this time, but one that will hopefully result in us keeping our promise to Maddy to continue what she started...

As Maddy's journey here on earth ended, our family's new journey without Maddy began.  The beginning of this journey is proving to be more difficult than I could have ever imagined.   "They" say there are different stages of grief- denial, anger, bargaining, depression, acceptance...  You would think that one could move through these stages sequentially and then the grief would be over.  I wish this were the case.

There are days that I have experienced all the stages within the span of a few hours.  While each  day brings new and different challenges, I have found there is one constant-  the pain in my chest and stomach as if a part of me has been ripped out.

Our family also doesn't seem whole anymore.  The three of us sit in the living room watching TV in an awkward silence.  We go for a ride in the car in silence.  A part of our family is missing and we still haven't figured out how to function yet.

Everywhere I look at home and at school, I am reminded of Maddy.  One moment, this is comforting and the next it is heartbreaking.  It takes all my energy just to get through a day.

And so I am reminded-

Hope, faith and courage are the things you need to fight.  To stay brave and stay strong, these are what I keep in my heart and mind!

Saturday, January 12, 2013

Thank You

Today we celebrated Maddy's life.  Again, thank you to everyone who was able to celebrate with us.


We would like to thank the Archbold and surrounding communities for all the support and generosity you have given our family over the past three years!  During the difficult times in Maddy’s journey, everyone was always there to lift us up and help carry us through these times.  For this, we will be forever grateful! 

It is our wish that Maddy will forever be remembered for her strength, courage, kind heart, and of course, her smile!  Abraham Lincoln said, “In the end, it’s not the years in your life that count, it’s the life in your years.”  Maddy lived more in nine years than many of us will live in a lifetime.  The memories she has left behind are what we will hold on to and cherish.  Thank you all again for being a part of these memories.

Below is the link to Maddy's video tribute:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x6-IBu5eMWY





P.S.

It will take a while, but we want to figure out a way to honor Maddy and make a difference in this world as she did.  One small way we can do this is to continue to support those causes out there that we found to be so important as Maddy went through her journey.  One such cause is the Red Cross Blood Drive-  we would have never realized the number of transfusions a person fighting leukemia would need throughout treatment if it weren't for Maddy.  On Tuesday, January 15, the Red Cross is hosting a blood drive at Ruihley Park in Archbold from 11-5:30.  To schedule an appointment, call 1-800-Red-Cross.

Friday, January 11, 2013

Our Angel

Today, we buried our angel.  The mix of emotions is so great, I can't begin to sort them out yet.  I did want to share something though. Last night, I laid awake listening to the rain just pour down.  This morning, when I looked out the window, it was cloudy and dreary.  I thought to myself-  Maddy would not like this!  When we entered the church this morning to start the ceremony, it was still cloudy and looked like rain.    Then, towards the end of the ceremony when friends and family were giving their tributes to Maddy, the sun came out so brightly and shone through the stain glass windows of the church filling the entire church with light.  We always said that Maddy's smile could light up a room-  we believe Maddy was smiling down on us filling the entire church with light!  A sense of peace came over me at that moment.  I am sure we will need many more moments like this throughout the days and weeks to come, but feel secure in knowing that our angel is looking down on us!

Tuesday, January 8, 2013

Celebration of Life Arrangements


Visitation will be held in Founder’s Hall at Sauder Village in Archbold on Wednesday from 6:00 P.M. until 8:00 P.M. and also on Thursday from 2:00 P.M. until 8:00 P.M.  

A public Celebration of Maddy’s Life will be held at 11:00 A.M. Saturday, January 12, 2013 at the Archbold High School, with the Rev. Father Marty Nassr, officiating.  We ask that you come casual in your lime green and orange!

There will be a private family funeral service and burial in the Archbold Cemetery. 

The family requests that memorial contributions be given to Cure Search, ABC 4 Maddy Relay for Life, Conquer Childhood Cancer Now, or Make-A-Wish of Northwest Ohio. 

Grisier Funeral Home in Archbold has been entrusted with arrangements.

Dancing with Angels

Maddy entered the gates of Heaven this morning around 5:30 AM and is dancing with the angels free of all pain and suffering.  We can just imagine her smiling and laughing with a head full of long curly hair just like she wanted.


Thursday, January 3, 2013

Feeling Helpless

It is good to be home and Maddy is resting peacefully.  We want to thank everyone for your continued prayers.  It sometimes feels like this just can't really be happening.  To just watch and wait is the most difficult thing-  Moms and Dads are supposed to make everything better...