Last year at the hotel in Chicago I saw Heather. She was walking along with a friend, someone else I didn’t know. She was dressed head to toe in purple, literally draped in it. I had, of course, heard about Heather and Mike and their daughter Madeline Alice Spohr. I had never met her, although we had something in common. We were both going to be writing for Aiming Low.
Anyway, I saw her there in the hotel and I wanted to meet her. I wanted to hug her and tell her that I was sorry that she had lost her beautiful baby girl. I wanted to tell her how much I admired her strength, her ability to somehow make it through each day, nevermind an entire blogging conference. But I didn’t. I was pretty sure she wouldn’t know who I was, so I just kept on walking, telling myself that I didn’t want to interrupt her. I kept on walking because I was one of those people who, in spite of wanting to reach out, wouldn’t know what to say to her.
Months have passed and I have had the pleasure of getting to know Heather through our dealings with the crazy and wonderful ladies I write with at Aiming Low. And she is every bit as amazing as you might think she is. She is an incredible wife, mother, and friend to anyone who has the privilege of refering to her as such. I wish I had the chance to know Madeline, too.
Today marks one year since Maddie was so cruelly taken away from Heather and Mike. Today I’ll be wearing purple in memory of Maddie and to honour my new friend.
Won’t you join me?
Wearing purple and thinking of the Spohrs.
Yes ma'am. I did.
I am.
I love you.
Just yes.
We wore purple and ate purple yogurt to remember Maddie, I also told Nolan about her and showed him a picture. He squealed (with excitment) and grinned in response to her infectious smile.
Beautiful flowers, are they from your garden?
They are! I hope they return this year.