When Magnolia Maize came into our lives, we suddenly all felt complete somehow. Emmalie and Callum were determined to be not only the best big sister and brother they could be – there seemed to be a competition between them on which one would be her favorite. Of course, Maggie loved them both – for very different reasons. Emmalie was her big sister, to keep her and protect her and love her and take care of her – which Emmalie excelled at and Maggie felt comfortable with her almost as much as she did with Mommy and Daddy. Now, Callum, that was a different story. Callum was the one she could wrestle with, who would watch her draw her beautiful artwork on the wall and play practical jokes that only a toddler could do over and over again. He was her cohort in crime.
We knew how incredibly special Maggie was from the moment she was handed to us. She just kept looking back and forth between the two of us like she was trying to tell us something or like she was trying to memorize our faces. We even commented on how intently she seemed to be trying to communicate with us.
Maggie started “helping out” when she was 3 days old. Going to school with Mommy to volunteer with Emmalie and Callum’s activities, going to Girl Scout meetings (where she had 22 other built in big sisters). Everyone at “her” school, St. Elizabeth’s, knew her. If they didn’t smile at her – then she would flash a big cheesy grin and force them to grin and interact – whether they wanted to or not.
All children are beautiful and special - and Maggie was the embodiment of a cherub. Curly, blonde ringlets, bright blue eyes, a constant smile, and care and concern for all around her.
Maggie’s passion was her art. She would sit for hours and draw on huge pieces of paper we would give her, little pieces of scrap notes she would find , or the living room walls which to her were big blank canvasses begging for her personal touch. More than once, her masterpieces ended up on her body – of which she was so proud to display to everyone who would look. We continue, to this day, to occasionally find her work, in notebooks, in drawers, on errant walls in the house.
Maggie’s last day was perfect. She woke up all excited. “Baby Kate?” she asked jumping up and down – knowing that it was the day to play with her buddy, Kate. Then after playing with Kate, she got an extra treat and was able to play with Beatrice, her other best pal. That afternoon, she got to help out with big sister, Emmalie’s special Girl Scout meeting. It was Emmalie’s birthday so lots of activity and lots of fun for her to be with her big girl friends. That evening was lovely, the five of us spending time as a family celebrating. Emmalie and Callum teaching her to say “Happy Birthday.” She was so proud she kept telling each of us over and over “Happy Birthday Emmawee!” “Happy Birthday Cowim!!” “Happy Birthday Mommy!” “Happy Birthday MommyDaddy” (Because she always had to tease Daddy.) What a perfect normal family time.
And that was it.
The next morning, our beautiful sugar
blossom failed to wake up. It took several months of extensive
investigation for us to receive the results, which consisted of “Sudden
Unexpected Death – Unknown cause.” With all the advances in medical
technology and science, there are still questions left unanswered.
The 23 months and 5 days we had with her not enough, but we are deeply grateful for each and every second we had. We know that we were blessed to experience pure joy, if only for a brief period of time. Many people never get to know that – or don’t see it when it’s there. We know our “bug” is with us always and can feel her presence in our lives. It is through her we came to know and understand the true meaning of community and for that we are completely grateful.
We miss her terribly, but know that she is with us constantly.
The love and support we have received from family, friends, school and
community has been the only things that have kept us going at times.
All of our love, honor and respect,
David, Renee, Emmalie, Callum & our angel Magnolia