It was an honor to walk in Maddie's name. It made me feel like I'm making a difference and contributing to the mission of the March of Dimes. Thank you to everyone who sponsored me this year. Next year, join my team and let's walk together!
Showing posts with label March of Dimes. Show all posts
Showing posts with label March of Dimes. Show all posts
Marching for Maddie
Sunday, May 2, 2010
On April 25th my girlfriend and I descended on our Nation's Capital. Only this time it wasn't for a charity event, new club opening or party. It was much more important. I took part in the March for Babies for the second year. I raised $375 in memory of Maddie. I walked to celebrate and honor the life of a sweet little girl who was taken to soon. I walked to support the mission of the March of Dimes.
It was an honor to walk in Maddie's name. It made me feel like I'm making a difference and contributing to the mission of the March of Dimes. Thank you to everyone who sponsored me this year. Next year, join my team and let's walk together!
It was an honor to walk in Maddie's name. It made me feel like I'm making a difference and contributing to the mission of the March of Dimes. Thank you to everyone who sponsored me this year. Next year, join my team and let's walk together!
Remembering Maddie - One Year
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
I've been thinking about this post. What I would write, what I wanted to say, what it would feel like. My heart is heavy with grief. I've typed out words, read them aloud and hit the delete key. Nothing sounds appropriate. My words, my thoughts, pale in comparison to the pain that Heather and Mike are feeling.
Today, I remember Maddie. A blue eyed, blonde haired Angel who I never had the honor to meet yet somehow I love deeply.
To Maddie: I see purple and I think of you. It's always been my favorite color but now it has a greater meaning. We'll never understand why you were taken away. I know you're watching over your Mommy, Daddy and baby sister. You are forever in our hearts.
In honor of Maddie, I've purchased a Family Support Pack from Friends of Maddie. If you haven't already done so, please consider making a donation today. Your donation supports a family with a child in the NICU.
I'm also Marching for Maddie in Washington, DC on April 25th. All donations go directly to the March of Dimes. To sponsor me , please click below.
Today, I remember Maddie. A blue eyed, blonde haired Angel who I never had the honor to meet yet somehow I love deeply.
To Heather & Mike: Thank you for sharing Maddie with the world. Thank you for keeping her memory alive. She is gone but never forgotten. May the grace of God envelop you today and always.
To Maddie: I see purple and I think of you. It's always been my favorite color but now it has a greater meaning. We'll never understand why you were taken away. I know you're watching over your Mommy, Daddy and baby sister. You are forever in our hearts.
In honor of Maddie, I've purchased a Family Support Pack from Friends of Maddie. If you haven't already done so, please consider making a donation today. Your donation supports a family with a child in the NICU.
I'm also Marching for Maddie in Washington, DC on April 25th. All donations go directly to the March of Dimes. To sponsor me , please click below.
March for Maddie
Monday, September 7, 2009
Its been 5 months since Maddie passed away. I don't know about you but my world has never been the same. Not one single day has passed when I don't think about Maddie, Heather and Mike. I'm very grateful that they have chosen to share their grieving process with us.
All over the country teams were forming for the March of Dimes walk in honor of Maddie. Nic of My Bottles Up organized a team named My Bottles Up for Maddie. I signed up to participate. I challenged myself to raise $500 in 5 days in Honor of Maddie. I was excited to be a part of something bigger than me.
The walk was in Baltimore which is over an hour drive from my house. That day it rained and rained and rained. It was like a monsoon. I left in enough time to get there before the start time. But the rain...I could barely see the road. I pressed on and finally made it. I was late. Nik and the rest of the team had to start without me.
I parked my car, checked in. I turned in my $330 that I raised, picked up my t-shirt, a map and started on the walk. I immediately started to cry. I felt absolutely awful that I was late. I didn't want to walk the 4 miles alone.
But I did. I walked every last mile and I had so much time to think. Throughout the walk there were posters with pictures and family stories about their premature babies. I stopped to read almost every one. I thought of Maddie every time. The stories were heartbreaking, heartwarming, sad and inspiring all at the same time.
I realized how blessed I am that both my children were born full term and healthy. I prayed for Heather & Mike. I prayed for all the families who have lost their children. I cried...a lot... It turned out to be a very cathartic 4 mile walk.
I was one of the last people to cross the finish line. I made my way back to my car and was already writing this post in my head. As time passed, I didn't write the post. I told myself I was just procrastinating.
The truth was I was embarrassed and ashamed that I was late and couldn't walk with my team. I didn't meet my goal of $500. I should have written this a long time ago and been proud of what I DID do to honor Maddie. I still struggle with "it" being okay if things don't go as planned.
I discovered yesterday that a friend took her life. I have been completely and utterly devastated by this. It made me realize that life is too short. Not that I didn't already know this but sometimes it takes an awful tragedy to put everything else into perspective. Maddie was here one day and gone the next. It's not fair!
I decided to write this post and share the pictures I took. I've decided to stop feeling like I let Nic, Heather and Mike down by falling short of the goals I set for myself. I won't beat myself up anymore. I did the best I could. I raised $330 in honor of Maddie for the March of Dimes. I completed the 4 miles, in the rain, by myself because it was and always will be important to me.
No matter how I feel or have felt these past five months it's nothing compared to what Heather and Mike have been through. Maddie has touched my life in ways I never imagined or thought possible. I think that was her mission in life from Day 1.
All over the country teams were forming for the March of Dimes walk in honor of Maddie. Nic of My Bottles Up organized a team named My Bottles Up for Maddie. I signed up to participate. I challenged myself to raise $500 in 5 days in Honor of Maddie. I was excited to be a part of something bigger than me.
The walk was in Baltimore which is over an hour drive from my house. That day it rained and rained and rained. It was like a monsoon. I left in enough time to get there before the start time. But the rain...I could barely see the road. I pressed on and finally made it. I was late. Nik and the rest of the team had to start without me.
I parked my car, checked in. I turned in my $330 that I raised, picked up my t-shirt, a map and started on the walk. I immediately started to cry. I felt absolutely awful that I was late. I didn't want to walk the 4 miles alone.
But I did. I walked every last mile and I had so much time to think. Throughout the walk there were posters with pictures and family stories about their premature babies. I stopped to read almost every one. I thought of Maddie every time. The stories were heartbreaking, heartwarming, sad and inspiring all at the same time.
I realized how blessed I am that both my children were born full term and healthy. I prayed for Heather & Mike. I prayed for all the families who have lost their children. I cried...a lot... It turned out to be a very cathartic 4 mile walk.
I was one of the last people to cross the finish line. I made my way back to my car and was already writing this post in my head. As time passed, I didn't write the post. I told myself I was just procrastinating.
The truth was I was embarrassed and ashamed that I was late and couldn't walk with my team. I didn't meet my goal of $500. I should have written this a long time ago and been proud of what I DID do to honor Maddie. I still struggle with "it" being okay if things don't go as planned.
I discovered yesterday that a friend took her life. I have been completely and utterly devastated by this. It made me realize that life is too short. Not that I didn't already know this but sometimes it takes an awful tragedy to put everything else into perspective. Maddie was here one day and gone the next. It's not fair!
I decided to write this post and share the pictures I took. I've decided to stop feeling like I let Nic, Heather and Mike down by falling short of the goals I set for myself. I won't beat myself up anymore. I did the best I could. I raised $330 in honor of Maddie for the March of Dimes. I completed the 4 miles, in the rain, by myself because it was and always will be important to me.
No matter how I feel or have felt these past five months it's nothing compared to what Heather and Mike have been through. Maddie has touched my life in ways I never imagined or thought possible. I think that was her mission in life from Day 1.
$500 in 5 days in Honor of Maddie
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Below is an email that I sent out to everyone in my address book in my effort to raise $500 in 5 days in honor of Maddie. I have never raised money before, for anything. Yes, I've brought in the kids school fundraiser packets to work but that's different. This is different. I wish I could have been in LA on Saturday to March for Maddie. The pictures brought tears to my eyes...
I've decided to challenge myself, step completely OUT Of my comfort zone and ask for money. Money to support the March of Dimes. Money for research and education. Money to provide information and support for families with babies in intensive care.
Ok, here is the email...yes, it's a bit redundant...
*******************************************************
On April 7, Heather and Mike Spohr lost their precious 17 month old baby girl Madeline. I didn't know the Spohr family personally but I've have been deeply touched and saddened all at the same time. I don't know if it's the pictures of Maddie with her blond curly hair and big bright eyes. Or reading Heather's blog and looking at her pictures of daily life with her daughter. Or just being a mother and feeling on some level the heartbreak they are feeling with the loss of their only child. I take for granted the fact that I had two healthy children and the loss of Maddie has made me realize how very grateful I should be every day.
So many babies are born premature and struggle to survive. Many with life long health issues. The March of Dimes is an amazing organization that assists family with premature babies as well as education & research to ensure all babies have a healthy start in life.
I'm walking in the March of Dimes March for Babies, this Sunday in Baltimore. I've challenged myself to raise $500 in just 5 days in honor of Maddie.
Please join me, in remembering Maddie and supporting The March of Dimes! Contributing to my walk online is fast, easy and secure. You can donate directly from my personal web page with a credit card or PayPal. If you prefer, I can also accept cash or check. Just click the appropriate box on my web page.
My personal Web page address for donations is....
http://www.marchforbabies.org/chantelligence (or click the banner below)
To learn about the amazing life of Maddie please visit the following sites:
www.marchformaddie.com
www.remembermaddie.com
To see how my family has already honored the life of Maddie please visit my Blog:
www.chantelligence.com
I've decided to challenge myself, step completely OUT Of my comfort zone and ask for money. Money to support the March of Dimes. Money for research and education. Money to provide information and support for families with babies in intensive care.
Ok, here is the email...yes, it's a bit redundant...
*******************************************************
On April 7, Heather and Mike Spohr lost their precious 17 month old baby girl Madeline. I didn't know the Spohr family personally but I've have been deeply touched and saddened all at the same time. I don't know if it's the pictures of Maddie with her blond curly hair and big bright eyes. Or reading Heather's blog and looking at her pictures of daily life with her daughter. Or just being a mother and feeling on some level the heartbreak they are feeling with the loss of their only child. I take for granted the fact that I had two healthy children and the loss of Maddie has made me realize how very grateful I should be every day.
So many babies are born premature and struggle to survive. Many with life long health issues. The March of Dimes is an amazing organization that assists family with premature babies as well as education & research to ensure all babies have a healthy start in life.
I'm walking in the March of Dimes March for Babies, this Sunday in Baltimore. I've challenged myself to raise $500 in just 5 days in honor of Maddie.
Please join me, in remembering Maddie and supporting The March of Dimes! Contributing to my walk online is fast, easy and secure. You can donate directly from my personal web page with a credit card or PayPal. If you prefer, I can also accept cash or check. Just click the appropriate box on my web page.
My personal Web page address for donations is....
http://www.marchforbabies.org/chantelligence (or click the banner below)
To learn about the amazing life of Maddie please visit the following sites:
www.marchformaddie.com
www.remembermaddie.com
To see how my family has already honored the life of Maddie please visit my Blog:
www.chantelligence.com
Operation Purple Balloon to Honor Maddie
Sunday, April 12, 2009
The Twitter and Blogging community has opened up their heart in awe-inspiring ways in the wake of unimaginable sadness and loss. Many things have happened to honor Maddie since my first post.
Heather and Mike Spohr were featured in an LA Times Article about Maddie. KTLA came to the Spohr home today to do an interview & story on Maddie. I'll update the link when available.
Bloggers are using their creativity to encourage others to financially support the Spohr family with these unexpected expenses. Y at Joy Unexpected is giving away a Nikon Coolpix Camera. Gain an entry for the camera with every $10 you donate. This generosity inspired Insta-Mom to team up with One Ping Only to give away the new Nintendo DSi. Same rules apply, gain an entry for every $10 you donate. Both of these giveaways have been very effective this weekend in donating a significant amount of money to assist the Spohr's.
Monica at Peapod Squad Stuff had an idea she called Operation Balloon Balloon in memory of Maddie. I immediately signed on to participate. Purple is the color for March of Dimes (Maddie was born prematurely) and a special color for the Spohr family. It also happens to be my favorite color. Today my family went outside, stood together, said a special prayer for Maddie, Heather & Mike and released our purple balloons into the sky. I stood and watched until I couldn't see them anymore. This simple act gave me a small sense of peace. Please take a moment to view the slide show of my family's participation in Operation Purple Balloon.
In Honor of Madeline Alice Spohr
Friday, April 10, 2009
On April 7, 2009, Mike and Heather Spohr unexpectedly lost their sweet baby girl Maddie. I wasn't familiar with the Spohr family through Twitter or Blogs until this tragedy however that doesn't make it any less painful. As a mom, I am heartbroken beyond belief for their loss. I don't know what you do, or what it feels like, or how you cope with the loss of a child. I have no words that can make the pain go away. The Spohr family is in our hearts, thoughts and prayers.I am inspired at the outpouring of love and support from the Twitter community. Talk about a fast mobilization to support two friends, fellow Tweeters, bloggers and parents. Word can spread like wild fire in a positive way in the wake of a tragedy or crisis. Please visit the website below for detailed information on how you can show your support for the Spohr family & honor Maddie.
March for Maddie (Central Page for all things Maddie)
Remember Maddie
Operation Purple Balloon
Sarcastic Mom
A Mom to Two Boys
Undomestic Diva
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