Happy Birthday, Maddie

Today, I wanted to say something profound and inspiring. Originally, that meant it was going to be tearjerking. Serious.

But I couldn't. The words wouldn't come. Everything I thought of was cheesy, and didn't really capture the pangs I get, the way my stomach clutches when it hits me again that Heather and Mike have to live today - every day - without Maddie.

And there is enough of that desperate sadness to fill the world. I realized that I would rather celebrate, today.

Today is the anniversary of the day that the world started knowing and enjoying Maddie - definitely worth celebrating.

Things got off to a slow start. We DO miss her, after all.

But then I started thinking about Maddie's beautiful smile and how she used to say "Waow!" and how every time I introduce people to her, they end up smiling.

From there, it actually got a little crazy.

And when the kids found out we were going to run to the store for cream puffs, well...

J wasn't quite sure about borrowing one of his sister's shirts, but I talked him into it. For Maddie.

 Happy Second Birthday, Maddie.