The Gift

Every child is a gift from God, a gift that must gradually be released. The process is all at once painful and wonderful, messy and beautiful, exciting and scary. But when that process is cut short, and a child dies, taken never to be seen or heard again it creates a hole so deep that some days you just want to crawl into that hole and stay. The future with that child is gone forever. Your hopes & dreams for that child will never be realized.

For us there will be no graduation, no first car, and no true love. There will be no wedding or grandchildren from this child. These thoughts are morose to be sure but at times these are the things that go through the mind of a parent who has lost a child.

I treasure my 3 gifts from God. I remember the silliness, the laughter, the talks and the love we shared with Madison. When I close my eyes I can still feel her hugs and hear her say, “I love you mommy.”

She would have been 18 years old today. I thank God for the 16 ½ years we had together. She used to say, “I wish I were 3 again, when things were easier.” I wonder when we meet again will I find my 16-year-old young lady or my 3-year-old little girl. Madison is truly missed; I don’t think she ever realized how much she would be or how many would miss her. My sweet angel, I love you forever.