For those in the UK, November 11th is a day of remembrance. We wear our poppies and bow our heads to remember those who have died for their country. This year it is especially poignant, as it is the first Armistice Day to have taken place following the deaths earlier this year of the last three British veterans of World War I.
From the earliest age I can remember attending Remembrance Day services at the village war memorial – sometimes in the crowd, at other times wearing a Girl Guides uniform and walking down the main street carrying a flag. It is a ritual to stand in silence for two minutes on Remembrance Sunday, and on Armistice Day itself, and remember those who laid down their lives. I am proud to live in a country that will never forget.
On the other side of the world in California, a family I have never met are remembering too. On this day two years ago their beautiful daughter Madeline was born, at 29 weeks gestation.
Before April 8th this year I had never heard or read about Heather or Mike Spohr, or their daughter. On that day I followed a link, and then another, and reached a page about Maddie and how she had died the day before aged just 17 months.
Maddie’s story broke my heart. She was a beautiful girl, a bright girl, a girl with her whole life ahead of her. Happy birthday Maddie. I hope you know how many people who have never even met you are thinking of you and your family and sending you birthday wishes.
I have nothing but awe for Maddie’s parents. In her memory they have set up a charity – Friends of Maddie – to provide support for critically ill babies. The strength they have shown knows no bounds. I hope that they can draw comfort from knowing how many people’s lives have been touched by their daughter, Madeline Alice Spohr.
What a lovely post. I did the exact same thing with how I learnt about Maddie. I clicked a link (from Alpha mummy I think about twitter and its power) and spent hours reading about Maddie and her wonderful family. They are the first blog I read every single day. Like you, I am full of admiration for them. They have made such an impression on me.
On a different note, I read your last few blog entries and we have similar things going on. My husband was made redundant in the summer too. The upside of it all is how it has made him closer to our daughter who is 22 months. I loved reading about how your baby son looks up at your husband. We haven’t quite got the division of labour thing down yet but we’re working on it.
Nice to ‘meet’ you.
Hi Alison, lovely to ‘meet’ you too! Thanks so much for your comment. Heather and Mike are amazing aren’t they? It’s wonderful how they are keeping Maddie’s memory alive through Friends of Maddie.
Yes, redundancy has definitely changed my husband’s relationship with the Bear! I am so glad we’ve got something positive out of what has essentially been a pretty duff situation. I’m so glad your husband has become closer to your little one too.