There is nothing harder in the world than having to say good bye to your child.
It is a pain no parent should ever know. Tears that should never be wept.
We enter parenthood in good faith, with dreams of watching our children grow up and become parents themselves. Images of little league games and school pageants, followed with learning to drive and onto dating.
We try to visualize our children’s future all the while breathing in their sweet smells and blowing raspberry kisses on their little bellies.
We moan and groan over potty training foibles and temper tantrums in the grocery store. We dread the teenage years and the rebellion we know which must surely follow. We never think of the possibility of not having another tomorrow with our child.
It’s unfathomable.
We do everything in our power to give our children the tools they need, the love they need to succeed in life, with the hope their lives will be everything they dream it to be.
What we don’t ever imagine is being robbed of that joy, of that promise, of that life we created or adopted.
It is unfathomable to think we can have a child one minute and only a memory the next.
Two of our fellow mommy bloggers and their husbands are facing this reality. Two of our own, in this electronic community we have created online for ourselves are struggling with the knowledge there will be no prom dates, no more raspberry kisses.
Two more families now have to face their new unimaginable reality and deal with the fiercest pain they will ever know.
I’m in Los Angeles to help the Spohr family say goodbye to their beloved Maddie. Meanwhile, I’m sending prayers to Thalon’s family and asking my Bug to play with his newest little angel friend.
I wish I didn’t have to.
I wish I didn’t have an angel of my own to talk to.
I wish I was anywhere else but here.
I wish I could say this was unfathomable.
But I know it’s not.






perpstu
My heart hurts so much for both of these families. You are truly a wonderful person for being there physically and emotionally for Maddie’s family.
Tracy Westerholm
I think as a mother of two that is my worst fear that I don’t even like to go anywhere near!! To lose a child is unthinkable. my deepest sympathy to all of the souls involved ! Tracy
Mrs. Wilson
It truly is unfathomable. So so sad. But what a great community!
Marci
Tanis, you are a truly remarkable woman. I was thinking about you and the Spohrs all day yesterday. To willingly open your heart and your arms to them, knowing the pain will be excruciating; I admire your strength.
The internet community is in mourning. I have been crying over Maddie and Thalon all week, and I didn’t even know them until these tragedies. What a blessing to the families that they have so many people supporting them in real life and online.
maggie, dammit
I love you.
Carrie
You are right, it is unfathomable.
Thank you Tanis, for putting your unending kindness out there for these families. Your strength will help them now, and so will Bug’s.
gorillabuns
I’m quite sure Thalon is playing with both Bug and Maddie. I’d lose all faith in all that is holy if it weren’t true.
Sue
Prayers to everyone.
Queen of the Mayhem
No parent should ever have to bury a child. My condolences go out to both families…and yours!
the RaMbLeR
I sit here night after night, day after day and cry. My heart just aches for both of these families.
I wish I could offer wise words to make the pain go away. I know there are none.
I still grieve from my miscarriage and I grieve over the loss of this ‘life’ we want for our children…for my third child (he was born not breathing, in NICU for 21 days, and now has cerebral palsy) but in the same breath I am grateful that he is here with me.
I just hope they find comfort in all the love that is obviously out here for them.
Carolee
That is just so awful. My biggest fear has always been losing a child.
My condolences go out to these families.
DC Urban Dad
I cannot even begin to imagine the pain. I do hope that this new generation of kids coming up in this world have the ability to beat these types of things off with a huge fucking bat.
Jo
Hopefully they will find comfort in your strength… you are truly amazing for supporting them the way you have.
As much as you were blessed to have him, your Bug was just as blessed to have you. Stay strong, xo.
Al_Pal
*crying* It still HURTS. I’m not even a parent, and if EFFING HURTS.
Your header, with crying little one, has never seemed more appropriate.
*HUGS*
thirtysomething
Sigh. I too have a child who dances in heaven. Her name will forever be Emmma, our Little Bit. In three days it will be four years since she left the earth, passing away from a rare syndrome (cockayne syndrome) when she was three years old. I always say the journey with her was worth the pain but sadness still seeps into my heart, especially this time of year. Slowly the painful memories have been replaced with the joyous ones. I am passionate about helping other families with similar journeys. Blessings to you and your own family.