Madeline Alice Spohr

I cried today for a baby and a family that I haven’t even met.  Madeline Alice Sphor died yesterday.  She was a beautiful 17-month old little girl who was born in November 2007 at 28 weeks.  She went to the hospital with a cough and died unexpectedly.   I was a frequent visitor to her mother’s blog.  As a fellow preemie parent, I followed her story closely and celebrated Maddie’s triumphs as if they were my own.  I was shocked and saddened to see the worst unfolding through Twitter feeds.  The Sphor family blog has been so overwhelmed with visitors that I will have to  post the link at a later date.   My heart aches for the Sphor family and all the other parents who has ever suffered through the loss of a child.  I pray that they find peace.

In lieu of flowers, The Sphor family has requested that donations be made to The March of Dimes in Maddie’s memory.  Give what you can, even if it’s only a few dollars.  Your contribution, no matter the size, will help make a difference in the lives of all children.   With your support, one day all babies will be born healthy.

Hug your children today and tell them how much you love them.  Tomorrow is not guaranteed.

Rest in peace dear Maddie and know that your life, though fleeting,  has touched the lives of many.