This is Jordan, I wanted to get online and post a little bit about how we are doing. Each day is a little better. We have and will continue to go through a lot of “firsts” over the next years that will be hard without Maddie. We try to stay busy all day long and be exhausted as we go to bed so we will fall asleep quickly. It is the quiet moments that your mind begins to wander that are rough. I miss her hugs, I miss her kisses. I miss the funny things that she would say. She brought so much joy into my life.
I wanted to thank everyone who attended or participated in the funeral, we felt it was a beautiful tribute to Maddie’s life and it showed the influence she had on so many. I was so proud of the job Marlo did, she captured who Maddie is and why so many people loved her.
Many people have sent us books which have helped us through this time. One book that we have really enjoyed reading is Angel Children by Mary V. Hill. She talks about her own experiences with the death of her child and how the doctrine from the church on the topic helped her through it. One of the quotes in the book will actually be on Maddie’s headstone, “The Crown without the Conflict.” I love it.
We feel your prayers; our lives are blessed because of the faith of so many. Thank you so much for all you have done for our family. It has been a great comfort to us all.
37 comments:
Even though we don't know you, I wanted to tell you how sorry we are for your loss and that we pray for your family and for healing.
Bethany was sweet enough to give us a full report after she saw you, and it was so nice to hear how wonderful the funeral was and how good it was to see you two, even though many of us couldn't be there. We've shed many tears for you and know that that beautiful phrase - the crown without the conflict - describes Maddie perfectly. You are both so strong and solid! We miss you and just wish we could be closer!
Love Travis & Krista Lundell
Marlo I was so sorry that I could not attend the funeral but I am sure it was beautiful. I know you both love Maddie so much. I love the phrase "The crown without the conflict" I can't think of a more fitting phrase for your sweet Maddie's headstone. Please know you can reach us anytime if you need anything!
~Kally~
Hi Jason and Marlo--this is Holly Lauritzen. This might be strange, but I hope you don't mind that I follow your blog. I first heard about your cute little family through Nina and Dominic and visited your blog off and on. My husband, Brad actually recognized Jason from some business classes at BYU. We are just south of you guys here in Forest Creek and actually just got realigned to be in the new Old Settlers Ward.
We think about your little family constantly. We pray for you guys nightly and wish there was more we could do for you.
Thanks for keeping us updated on here. Maybe one day we can all get together with the Brosie's. You guys are just the cutest things ever!
Hope this isn't too weird, but I thought it would be more weird to just keep reading your blog without you knowing about it.
Take care!
Love, The Lauritzens (Brad and Holly)
Hey Jord and Marlo... thinking of you always. We love you and Maddie. She's with you always, just close your eyes and feel her near.
I'm sure Chad and I are just a few of many who continue to pray for your family. The picture you attached to this post is priceless!
Allison Waldron (Sutton
Jordan, thanks so much for taking time to update us. We think of you and Marlo often and pray that you continue to find strength and peace. Like Krista said, Bethany told us about the beautiful services for Maddie. The bubbles were such a sweet idea, and your family pictures are just precious.
-Lauren & Mike Andrews
How priceless that picture is. Thanks for the update Jordan. Your strength is amazing and you and Marlo are such beautiful people both inside and out. We will miss you in our ward but you will always be in our prayers. We were out of town for the funeral and I was so sad I didn't get to say good bye. Maddie always made me smile I loved that I got a chance to comfort her a time or two in Nursery. She will always hold a special place in our hearts.
Jordan and Marlo,
This is Jennie Sawyers,we were in the College 4th ward together. I am sorry to hear about your loss. Marlo, being a mom myself, I can't imagine your loss. Know that Heavenly Father loves you and that you will be able to see Maddie again. I thik the quote on her head stone is fitting. She was a beautiful girl, just like her parents. You both are in our thoughts and prayers.
Kevin and Jennie
What a beautiful quote! It sounds perfect for your beautiful daughter!!! Still thinking of you and praying for you always.
Much Love,
Brittany (Waldron) Petersen
I love that quote! I am so glad that you decided on that one. You two are so strong, and we have learned so much from you. The funeral was amazing. You both did a fabulous job of capturing Maddie's moments. We love you both!!
I do not know you and you do not know me. I found you through another blog. But I am very sorry for your loss and I wish I could go back in time and change things for you. Your daughter's photos are beautiful. She is beautiful. She was loved very much by you both and clearly was a happy child.
Some find this blog helpful....www.glowinthewoods.com. Actually, I do.
I don't know if you remeber me at all, but we were in the 4th ward also. I've looked at your blog from time to time and your little Maddie was such a beautiful sweet girl. I can't even imagine what you are going through right now, just thinking about it breaks my heart for you. We will be praying for you and your family to have the comfort you need for now and all the times to come when your heart will ache for your sweet little one.
Aaron and Kari Bryan
Marlo & Jordan-
We just wanted to add our thoughts and prayers for you all. We think & pray for you often. We were not able to attend Maddie's service but were there in heart and spirit. We admire your strength & devotion to each other and Maddie. You guys are amazing and we will continue to keep you in our thoughts and prayers.
Much love -- Mark & Monica Allen
I love you guys so much. You have been in my prayers and continue to be! Even though we aren't near each other I am thinking about you!
It's good to hear how you guys are doing. We think about you two a lot and remember you in our prayers and we've been wondering how you are. I'm sure each day is different, but know that our prayers for you have not stopped and won't. We are so glad that Bethany and Brent could be there to represent all of your friends from the 4th ward. We have shared many emails amongst each other over you guys and they were all full of love and support. I'm amazed at how you guys are handling yourselves. Know that we continue to treasure your friendship and pray for you. Love you guys!
-Brad, Tiffany, and Ava Rowland
We love you guys so much and are constantly thinking of you. You are so amazing! I am inspired by your faith and example during this time. We have loved being so close to you guys and seeing you often. Thank you for your strength and love. I will always remember Maddie and the love she gave so freely. I know she learned that from her parents!
I posted previously on your blog the day I heard the news of your darling little girl. Even though I do not know you, I think of your family often and pray for you. Your strength absolutely amazes me and I can imagine that you are an inspiration to so many. You will be in my continued prayers and please know that I truly admire your courage through all of this. Your family is amazingly strong and I think so many people could learn from you. Thank you for being a model of faith for so many. Maddie will always be with you and you will be reunited again.
In prayer. . .
Christine
Our love and prayers are with you both. We think about you guys all of the time. Thank you for your example. We too are grateful for the peace the gospel brings especially at these times. Chris & Nancy Tolman
As the weeks pass I continue to think about you guys and your loss. Just know that you are in our prayers.
It is not an accident that I stumbled upon your blog. I am SO sorry for your loss. My heart breaks for you. I lost a child at birth (32 weeks along) 3 years ago and it was so difficult. Hang in there. Talk it out, cry and hug. Don't be afraid to ask for help - cooking, etc. It does get better. You do have some happy memories to look back on. Maybe make a quilt from some of her clothes to keep you warm - a friend can do this for you or hire someone. HANG IN THERE. You will be in my prayers, especially next week on the 3-year anniversary of Will's death.
Hugs,
Courtney in Texas (DFW area)
Check this out when you're ready for your daughter. This nice person does this because she, too, lost a child.
http://www.namesinthesand.blogspot.com/
I don't know you, but I just happened across your blog. My heart breaks for your loss. You are in my thoughts and prayers.
Branson and I continue to keep you both in our prayers. We are so sorry for your loss and pray God's blessings cover you both during this time. We know that there is very little that can be said at a time like this, but know that you are never far from our thoughts.
Love,
Branson and Nadine
I came across your blog on another blog. My heart is breaking for you both. I'm amazed by the strength that the two of you have found. I will pray for you both.
Casey
We don't know each other, but I saw your blog through Kally and Dallen's. I was so touched by your courage and strength that you can feel through your smile and the words you write. I pray that if & when I lose someone so dear to me that I can be like you two. Thank you for your example and may peace be in your hearts forever!
Jordan and Marlo. What a sweet picture of your family. I also love the phrase, "The Crown without the Conflict." It is the capstone of her perfect life. We are still praying for you and thinking of you. May the Lord continue to bless you both. We love you. Rick and Lisa Stewart
We can't imagine what you must be going through, but we're thinking of you. If there's anything at all we can do please let us know!
Ben & Rochelle Mathews
I found your blog through Google Reader and was so sad to hear that you lost your little girl. She seems so sweet and I can't imagine the heartache you must be feeling right now. We have a baby girl who is nearly one and it would be the hardest thing ever to lose her. I am so sorry for you and your family and hope that you can find peace.
Marlo, I don't know if you remember me. We went to high school together! I was so sorry to hear about your loss but didn't know how to let you know. I finally got a blog and found you and I am grateful because I wanted to let you know that our prayers are with you!
Natalie Henrie Hughes
Hi Jordan, It's the former hermana mower. I can't believe you are going through this. She is beautiful! Cuidense... al maximo.
Hey Jordan, this is Elissa Newcomer (Valadez)! My mom just told me she heard about your precious girl Maddie passing away. They are in the same ward as your family members, the Warnicks, he's their hometeacher. Anyway I just wanted you and your wife to know your family is in our prayers.
Lifting you up in our daily prayers.
I hope you are both feeling the comfort, love and the strength of our Heavenly Father during these sad times.
Love
Kathryn_m
Hi Jordan & Marlo:
I think of and pray for your family frequently.
Maddie was truly the light of your life but Heavenly Father will light your path to a greater peace and comfort your aching hearts.
Despite your lack of posts here, I hope that you have found meaningway ways by which to chronicle and memorialize your precious Angel's life.
For you both, it will be a lifetime until you once again see and continue to raise Maddie into the strong woman she will surely be .. but .. to Maddie, she will see her loving parents in the twinkling of an eye. In the meantime, she sings, dances and frolics with other Angels.
with much love,
kathryn
Hey Marlo, this is Sunny & Ashley from Utah(Nina's Friends). Nina is here with us right now, and told us all about little Maddie. We just wanted to let you know that our hearts and prayers are with you and your sweet little family. I remember watching you with her and thinking how great of a mom you were!!
Also, Congrats with being pregnant with a little boy!! He is SO lucky to have u as a mom!!:)
I was touched by your post. Sorry, I'm not a blog stalker--honest. I went on line to find some information about a talk I'm giving in Stake Conference next week. We lost our first son 20 years ago and I was able to relate to your posts and the comments by friends. We inscribed "the crown without the conflict" on our son's headstone, along with "Alive in Christ." I had an article published in the Ensign a couple of Decembers ago that talked about our experience. I thank God every day for the blessings of the restored gospel.
Post a Comment