It’s our second holiday season without Madison. Last year was a haze. We were just a couple of months out and still wrestling with extreme grief and despair. I felt understanding and relief when people didn’t ask us about her. They knew as I did that mentioning her name could cause me to completely shatter.
This year is different. Madison is an active and vibrant member of our family. We work every day to continue to foster her legacy. There is not a day that goes by that I don’t say her name.
It makes me sad when I feel like she is forgotten.
And I understand what it feels like to be across the table from someone I love who has lost. I remember what it felt like not to be able to relate to that pain. I remember clearly being at a loss for words and feeling terrified of saying the wrong thing.
It’s ok if you see me cry. It’s ok if you cry too. I want you to say her name. I want you to ask about her. She is as real to me today as if she were right here beside me.
I want you to include her when you think about our family. I want you to remember that we will soon be a family of five (not four) as Reeves and Madison welcome a little brother early next year.
She will always be a part of our hearts, our prayers and our conversation.
Please, don’t forget my daughter.
