Madeline Alice Spohr November 11, 2007 - April 7, 2009

I'm sure many of you have already heard the devastating news. The Internets are rocked to their cores. Two days ago, that sweet child Maddie, left this earth. She sprouted her wings and took flight.

I sit here typing; trying to find the right words. I complete a sentence. I pause. I press the backspace key. I start again. I erase again.

There are no words.

Though I do not know Heather or Mike Spohr, my heart goes out to them. I can not imagine the pain they are feeling. My chest is tight; there is a knot of fear, of sadness. Becoming a mom does that. It makes you sense the loss of another mother. It stays with you. It haunts you.

My son, W., saw a picture of Maddie on my laptop last night. He asked who the cute little girl was. I explained what had happened, in terms he could understand. My boy, my sweet, caring, compassionate boy turned to me, his face somber, "Mom, that's so sad."

So sad, indeed.

And then I thought for a moment. I have always donated to the March of Dimes. Ever since W. was born, I wanted to help sponsor this cause. No parent should have to watch their child fight for their life, as we had.

We were blessed. W. survived his congenital heart defect. We should do more, to honor Maddie.

I asked him if he wanted to start our own team to walk for her. For other babies. He jumped at the idea.

The "Jersey Shore Families For Maddie" team is walking on April 26th in Belmar, NJ. Please, if you can, join us. Sign up here and be a part of our team.

Of Maddie's team.

If you can't walk, won't you please sponsor either W. or myself? No parent should endure the Spohr's heartache.

Sponsor Me:

Sponsor My Son:



*If you don't live nearby, please visit Lotus Carroll's blog Sarcastic Mom. She is listing other teams across the country.