Remember Maddie

For the past few days, little Maddie has never been far from my mind. I may not have been the most avid commenter over at Heather's blog, but that's not representative of my appreciation for it. Actually, Heather's blog has been one of my favorites since I first found it, and I always save her posts for last when my google reader is full of new posts.

I couldn't quite bring myself to believe it when I read that little Maddie had passed away. Like when my grandmother died a few years back, I wanted to believe that it was some kind of sick joke, but well... few people are capable of that kind of cruelty, are they? So disbelief faded into sadness, and I just couldn't stop thinking about that beautiful girl who was no longer among us. I wanted to do something, but I had no idea what. There are no words that can change what happened, no actions that can bring Maddie back to this life. But, as others have said before me, if the amount of posts and donations and thoughts sent Maddie's way were enough, she'd still be here. I wish with all my heart that it was enough.

I was looking through Heather's numerous photographs of her gorgeous daughter, and I happened upon a series where she's wearing black and yellow. It made me think of a bumblebee. And suddenly I had the beginning of a poem in my head. I've always had difficulties finishing these ideas that I get, but I kept working at it, and working at it until the whole poem was there. It may not be literary brilliance, but I wanted to show Mike and Heather that people are thinking about Maddie, and are going to continue thinking about her for a long time. She won't be forgotten. Not by me.