I didn’t know Maddie Spohr. I didn’t know her parents IRL. I read her mom’s blog from time to time over the past year and a half, keeping up on how this preemie baby was thriving and growing and causing so much joy for her family.
Then I moved 3 weeks ago, and I lost track of my blog and reading others.
Last week I began to slog through Google Reader and was in tears and speechless: Maddie was rushed to the hospital and she died.
This little adorable, full of life under 2 year old didn’t make it to see 3.
I have no words to explain how I felt when I read those words.
I am not a mother. I have nieces and nephews, but its not the same thing. I can’t fathom losing a child.
I ache for the Spohr Family. I am glad they were able to spend almost 2 1/2 years with Maddie and get to see her adorable smile every day, but they have to be going though the worst experience of their life right now. I can’t imagine how numb they must be right now.
I read alot of blogs a day – about 80 or 90. I don’t comment most of the time – though alot of what I read moves me.
I have never been THIS moved before.
I decided I had to do something. SOMETHING. ANYTHING. So, after reading that alot of people are walking for Maddie at the March of Dimes Walk for Babies the weekend of April 25th, I decided to start a team in Atlanta.
Please check out Sarcastic Mom’s walking for Maddie page – there are dozens of people who have started teams to walk in celebration of Maddie’s life.
Here in Atlanta, the team is called “Atlanta Remembers Maddie”. I hope if you are in the Atlanta area on April 25th and you have some time available, come join us for an amazing celebration of Maddie’s life. Our team will wear purple (shirt, pants, shorts, socks, shoes, hair ribbon, or whatever you have) to remember her.
PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE sign up and walk with us. Pass the link on to your family and friends that may be in the ATL area (or another area with a team mentioned on the walking for Maddie page; Tweet about it using the #Maddie tag; whatever- just get the word out!
Thank you!
AJ
Related posts:
This is one of those times I wish we didn’t live so far away from the nearest city. I’m going to be wearing my purple again on the 25th and thinking of everyone walking for Maddie.
[...] If you’re reading this and you happen to live in or around Atlanta please click over to AJ’s blog and think about joining her team for the local March of Dimes Walk for Babies to honor the memory [...]