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Gone Too Soon

On Sunday evening a little 8 year old girl went missing from a town about an hour away from me. Her name was Madyson Middleton and a mere 27 hours later she would be found deceased and a 15 year old boy would be arrested. Her picture had spewed across multiple media outlets and I myself had shared her image in hopes that she would be found safe. When I learned that she was found deceased I gasped out loud, muttering "No, No, No!" to which my husband replied "Why do you read stuff like that?"
Instinctively I said to him, "Because I am a mom!" I need to know that these things happen, how they happen, when they happen. I want to be aware as much as I can to prevent something from ever happening to my daughter. As I explained this I also realized as much as I want to know - it doesn't mean I can protect her from everything. As a parent - that is heartbreaking.

Then this morning I read about a fellow blogger named Leslie who recently passed due to a congenital heart defect. She leaves behind a husband & two young daughters among many more who loved her. Although her children didn't get much time on earth with their mama, her blog is a beautiful reflection of how loved they were. I hope they find comfort in her writings when they are able to read it. I think to myself if anything ever happened to me I hope Presley would be able to look back at this little space and feel my digital love.

Nothing is promised, not even tomorrow. So please hug your littles, squeeze your partners, call your mama, give extra belly rubs to your pet. Life isn't about the perfectly curated photo on Instagram or how many likes you received on your latest Facebook post. Life is what happens while we are busy making memories.




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13 comments

  1. Cait | Home Sweet RubyJuly 28, 2015 at 12:05 PM

    Amen to that last paragraph. I've been snuggling R more than ever today since hearing about Leslie. It's heartbreaking thinking about what their families are going through.

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  2. NatJuly 28, 2015 at 12:45 PM

    Oh my gosh I hadn't heard about Leslie yet but I knew she was sick. Oh I'm sick over both stories now. Life just isn't fair and I cannot even imagine being in either families shoes right now. Sending prayers and healing for both families and counting my blessings.

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  3. EvelinaJuly 28, 2015 at 1:20 PM

    You're absolutely right. We need to focus on the things that matter and appreciate every single day we have on earth with those we love.

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  4. Cassidi {blissfully made}July 28, 2015 at 5:16 PM

    This is so heartbreaking and a great reminder of just how precious life is! I will definitely be holding my loves a little tighter tonight.

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  5. Lisa @ Naptime ChaiJuly 28, 2015 at 5:16 PM

    I also tend to read way too many 'sad' stories because I feel like somehow the more I know the safer my family and I will be. This is so, so not the case, though. Ugh. Such sad news.

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  6. Ashley | Life on Meyers | July 29, 2015 at 5:52 AM

    So beautifully written. It is so hard for me to watch the news or social media because of stories like this, and it breaks my heart. I will definitely be hugging those close to me a little tighter tonight.

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  7. Ally- Life as I know itJuly 29, 2015 at 6:58 AM

    I just heard about Leslie from another blog, I didn't know of her before, and it's just the saddest thing ever. I hate hearing sad stories because it really puts life in perspective. You really don't know when your time is up, whether you're ready or not. I worry about this little boy so much while he's in my belly, I'm sure the worry will increase to the billions once he's born.
    Ally- Life as I know it

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  8. birdie to beJuly 29, 2015 at 9:44 AM

    That story was so unbelievable! So so sad!

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  9. Sparkles and LattesJuly 29, 2015 at 11:46 AM

    I have been checking Leslie's blog and instagram daily. I am beyond sad to hear that she passed. Her girls are so young and didn't get a chance to really get to know their mom. I loved reading Leslie's blog. Definitely makes me want to go home and hug my babies, pup and husband. We never know when our time is up and this is a great reminder. Thanks for sharing.

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  10. Julie @ Just the Joy'sJuly 31, 2015 at 9:15 AM

    So so sad. I was devestated when I heard about leslie. I feel for her husband and those precious little girls! That is so sad about the little girl in your area! As I was pregnant with Remington I had said to Michael many times - I'm scared to bring a child into this world.

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  11. Shenine joonJuly 31, 2015 at 1:19 PM

    I can't stop thinking about Madyson and her story, it breaks my heart every time I think about it. Scott said the same thing to me, "why do you read stuff like that?" And unfortunately it is a fear that is real, sickeningly real. Makes me wish I could wrap my little niece and nephew in a bubble to protect them..I wish we could.

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  12. Chelsea PhelpsAugust 2, 2015 at 12:37 PM

    So so heartbreaking, both of them. The pain these families are feeling right now just breaks my heart!

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  13. Caley-Jade RosenbergAugust 3, 2015 at 12:16 PM

    My heart is breaking for both families - so so terribly sad x

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