This picture was taken by Uncle Pete at Maddie's 3rd birthday party. The hands starting at 1 o' clock and moving clockwise are:

Daddy, Mema, Great Grandma Betty, Aunt Carrie, Grandpa, Grandma & Mommy

It is with a tremendous amount of sadness that we must share with all the passing of our beautiful, sweet, precious daughter; Maddie. On Thursday, September 24th, 2009 our baby was granted the mercy she so bravely and courageously fought for, for so long. We are so thankful to God for delivering her from the suffering she had endured over the course of the past 6 months, so peacefully, from mommy and daddy’s arms to His.

God knows we tried with every fiber of our being to change things for Maddie, but it just wasn’t to be. We miss her so much, and words cannot describe the depth of the loss we feel even though we know Maddie is in the absolute best hands now. There is a void in our lives and house, but our hearts will forever be filled because of Maddie.


The past 3 years have been the happiest 3 years of our lives. We spent the last 3 years learning about love, and what it means to love unconditionally. We learned that at the end of the day there will always be a limit on how long we all live, how big a house can be, how expensive a car can be or how much money we can make. More importantly though, we learned that there will never, ever be a limit on how much we can love. How much we love our family, friends, community and those strangers we pass on the street is without limits; unless we choose to do so. We are in our mid 30’s and we learned this from a 3 year old girl who never spoke a word. She was without a question a gift from God.

We have always expressed that we believed and we still do that Maddie had a purpose. We believe that purpose was to give us all an example of what God’s gift of unconditional love encompasses. Maddie did that, and we are so proud of her. The fact that there was somewhere between 400 and 500 people at Maddie’s Mass to celebrate her life is a clear indication that people have received her message loud and clear.

At Maddie’s Mass to celebrate her life we read a letter that Ann and I wrote to Maddie for her Eulogy, because we felt that by doing so people would get a true feel for what she meant to our family. We felt like sharing her Eulogy with all of you here in this forum so that her life may be celebrated even more.

October 3rd, 2009

Throughout her 3 years with us Maddie had 4 hospital stays that totaled 160 some days. We had lots of one on one in those days and nights.
About 2 weeks or so into her life I began sharing a baseball analogy of life being like an at bat. For Maddie it seemed at the time like she was born with 2 strikes against her so I would whisper to her to just protect the plate. Stay defensive and maybe we could turn the count in her favor. This past March Ann and I were at Maddie’s bedside at the hospital. It was a Saturday night and both of us knew something was terribly wrong with our baby so we held hands and we prayed together. And then I told Maddie it was ok to swing for the fences if she wanted to. It was shortly after that we were informed of the severity of Maddie’s condition and I couldn’t help but feel defeated. 2 weeks ago, after about 6 months of reflecting on Maddie’s life and what she has meant to us I came to a realization and I was able to share that with Maddie. As I held her I told her how proud we were of her because she had in fact come into this world swinging for the fences and that the moment she joined us she hit the ball out of the park.
Maddie never had 2 strikes against her nor was she ever behind in the count. She just spent the last 3 years gracefully rounding the bases; she was on her way home.

Ann and I thought the best way to celebrate Maddie’s life with all of you would be to express what she has meant to us. In attempt to do so, we wrote Maddie a letter from our hearts, and we would like to share that with all of you today.

Our Precious Maddie,

It has been 9 days since we last held you, yet it seems only a few hours have passed. We miss you so much baby but we know how happy and free you must feel right now and for that we are over-joyed. Mommy and daddy and your brothers along with all your family and friends, have gathered at church today to celebrate what a beautiful little angel you are and the life you lived here with us. We know you can see and hear us and we want you to know that even though we cry a lot, we will be okay, because we know you are safe in the arms of God.
Mommy and daddy want you to know how happy we were that your journey from our arms to God’s was peaceful.

Though we have told you so many times over the past three years, we just wanted to tell you again how much we love you and how proud we are of you. When you were born, mommy and daddy were so scared. We had no idea how we would take care of you, but you made it so easy for us. We have always been so amazed by your strength and courage. Our family has had so many people tell us how strong our family is and we want you to know that you have been and will always be the inspiration of that strength.

You were always so happy Maddie. You always had a smile on your face, despite the odds you faced all along. You just had a pure joy for life; maybe that’s why you always refused to sleep. Mommy will miss your all nighters. We will miss you kicking your legs in joy with anticipation of being held as we gestured our hands to pick you up; the way your eyes followed us around the room in anticipation of that gesture. And how could we ever forget when you discovered how to roll, and you would roll and roll and roll until your oxygen line wouldn’t let you roll any more - and then you would roll back in the opposite direction. Yes Maddie, you were funny as well. Most of all though: we will miss your eyes, for your eyes spoke to us in so many ways Maddie. They always had a story to tell. So we will cling tight to the pictures with your beautiful eyes because they will continue to speak to us for years to come.

While you’re listening Maddie, mommy and daddy want to say thank you for all you have taught us over the last three years. You have led an entire family into the arms of God. Your life has been a testament to God’s will and opened our eyes to how beautiful life can be with faith and hope. We are so blessed to have been chosen as your parents and will forever cherish the time we had with you. You will always be our compass Maddie, our true North. You have given us a priceless lesson of what unconditional love is, both from you and from all those around you. We cannot remember a time when just holding you wasn’t enough to stop your tears. You just wanted to be loved, and there was nothing we loved more than loving you.

Mommy says you showed her that she can’t always control everything, and I’ve been telling her that for a long time sweetie, but somehow you knew how to make her understand. It was from you that we learned how to live in the moment and soak up the simple things in life. Too often we focus on the milestones in life when it’s the small hours that define life. What we’re trying to say to you Maddie, is you taught us how precious life is and how to enjoy it. More importantly, you taught us all of these things with a smile, and you never spoke a word.

Since last Thursday, Luke has been walking around with your purple and pink purse, claiming your Ernie doll as his own and asking for his Maddie Moo. When we sat down to write this letter to you we asked your brothers if they wanted to tell you anything. Zack said he wants us to tell you he loves you and asked us to draw a heart. Nate said he wants you to know he loves you and he would do anything to have you back but he knows you are where you belong. You have had such a profound impact on them as well Maddie. Mommy and daddy have explained to them that as long as we love our neighbors and reach out to help those in need, then your spirit will continue to shine.

Maddie, when we woke last Friday morning and walked into the living room, you were not there but you were everywhere. We can see you in the eyes and in the smiles of your brothers. We feel you in the love mommy and daddy have for one another. We sense you in the compassion from your grandparents and your aunts and uncles. We know you’re saying “I love you mommy and daddy” from the support we have received from our community. You took great care of us while you were here Maddie and we know you will continue to watch over us from Heaven.

You are our Velveteen Rabbit. Thank you for making us real. You were our morning, noon and night and you will eternally remain in the center of our hearts.
With all our love, Mommy & Daddy.


On behalf of Maddie we would like to thank all of you for the love, thoughts and prayers you have sent our way over the past 3 years. It is your generosity and caring that truly captures the essence of Maddie’s spirit. We leave you with the lyrics from a song that we have grown so fond of, as it sums up perfectly our sentiment for Maddie. The song is called The Dance.

Looking back, on the memory of, the dance we shared beneath the stars above. For a moment, all the world was right, but how could I have known, that you’d ever say goodbye.

Holding you, I’ve held everything. For a moment, wasn’t I a king, but if I’d only known, how the king would fall. Hey who’s to say, you know I might have changed it all.

And now, I’m glad I didn’t know, the way it all would end. The way it all would go. Our lives, are better left to chance I could have missed the pain but I’d of had to miss the dance.

Thank you for the dance Maddie