Too Close to Home

Like so many of you, I follow the lives of the Spohr family.

This morning I logged on to find that their beautiful only child, Maddie, died last night.

She was their baby, their only daughter, their joy. Their heart.

I looked at my son, healthy and hooting as he stood up, holding onto our sofa.

Their baby.

I often feel like I’m rubbernecking in these situations, like I am a vulture at the window, watching others as they grieve. But this one … I’ve followed the family for awhile now, and while I don’t comment often, I’ve watched Maddie grow and cheered her on from afar.

This one hit me close, maybe a little too close.

I don’t have much to give right now, but what I do have I am going to donate in Maddie’s name. Please, if you can, do the same.

I ask this of you with an aching heart, aching for a family I’ve never met. But her face … I’m not linking to their blogs, and not just because they broke with the weight of our collective broken heart.

Because I want you to click on the badge above, instead.

Please, if you can.