Florida, March 2007

Just got back from Orlando. We took the family with us for the girls cheerleading competition. Anna's team took 2nd place and Nat's team took 1st. We stayed at the beautiful OMNI in Davenport Florida, and spent most of our days soaking up the beautiful Florida Sunshine with good friends, good food and even managed to spend a day at Sea World. Natalie and I were wrestling in the pool on the first day, and lo and behold, her front tooth got knocked out. (not my fault) Here are some images or our fun together:

Image 1-Nat, Anna and their good friends Katie and Kylee Haralson

Image 2-Poor Sophia, playing chicken in the pool, with Nat on her shoulders. Do you think she can breathe?

Image 3-Nat and her NO NO DRAMA...

Image 4-My cheer face with Nat and Anna...I think Anna is alittle embrassed...Oh well!

Image 5-Me and the hubsters...

Glamour Shots

Anna was invited to Glamour Shots to celebrate her friend Kylee's birthday...

Here are some of the images that they took...Anna, Kylee and their friend Taylor, who sadly is moving to Texas soon...

They are all so beautiful.

Hunting Rabbit?

Our friends, Jim and Mikey went hunting this year...They got an elk and a deer. Actually, I think Mikey did them both in. My friend Gina had to bring by the heads to show the girls. They were completley grossed out. Baxter was freaked out, and Jeter thought this was just a big 'chew bone.' Here are some cute images that I took...

This is So COOL!!!

I just did the coolest thing...Here is an image of my son Chase. He wanted an image for his 'myspace' page. We decided to have some fun, so we found the image and made it look like a colored pencil drawing...Cool huh? I swear, computers are so cool...What an amazing tool!!!
Oh, Had to add one of ANNA, too...

Then decided to play with the one of Maddux and myself...I think it turned out really nice.

Had to add one of the hubby in a cowboy hat...How hot is he???

Maddux's 2nd Heavenly Birthday

Wanted to share our family photograph. This was taken the night we removed Maddux from life support. The nurse with us took the only photograph of all of us together...It took me along time, (two years, but...) I asked one of the NILMDTS affiliated photographers, Art Wright from Texas, to take this image and do something with it. I didn't give him much to work with, the background was bad, the lightning was terrible, and we all looked like, well, you know...Awful!!!

Here is a before and an after...

I had this done in honor of Maddux's 2nd Heavenly Birthday.

“The mention of my child’s name may bring tears to my eyes,
But it never fails to bring music to my ears.
If you are really my friend, let me hear the beautiful music of his name.
It soothes my broken heart and sings to my soul.”
Author Unknown

Jeter Dog...

Most of you know that Alex and Mieka (our Daschunds) died in 2005.
In 2005, we added Baxter to our family...Bernese Mountain Dog. (Mike HAD to have a BIG DOG this time...)
Baxter loves me only when Mike isn't home, so I decided that I wanted another little dog.
This is Jeter...(Yes after Derek Jeter) We are Yankee Fans!!! We welcomed him to our family in 2006. He is a West Highland White Terrier.
He loves the water...

Natalie's 7th Birthday

Here are some images from Natalies 7th birthday. She took three friends indoor skydiving.
They all had a great time.

Kidney Donation

Myself and Laurie about 3 months after surgery

Laurie's daughter Sophia and my daughter Anna in Daytona Beach April 2006

7 months before our surgery

Myself and Laurie after surgery.

I am going home...

I have debated for along time whether or not I wanted to share my story with those 'outside' of my little circle. I truly feel the need to share 'our' story and spread awareness to living organ donation. This is such an important topic. Such an easy surgery, with such an incredible outcome...I am afraid that if I don't share this, I will regret it. And I have learned that I can live with the regret of doing something, rather than live with the regret of not doing something...So, with that being said, here I am sitting at my desk, thinking "where do I start?"

Alot of my friends don't know alittle secret of mine...that I donated a kidney to a friend. Please let me first say, that my donation to Laurie , was not about me, nor was it about her...My donation was about our combined 7 children. Our families.

You all know my back ground. My husband, Michael and four beautiful children, Chase 13, Anna 10, Natalie 7 and Maddux, our angel in heaven. Maddux is how my family's life has forever been changed. With his birth and death, and co founding the 'Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep' organization. Up until the kidney donation, I thought that this was MY main purpose in this world. I now know that NILMDTS is Maddux's purpose, and his alone. I am only a volunteer.
Getting back to our combined children, I personally know the pain and heartache of losing a child. I can't imagine (nor would I even try to imagine) the heartache and pain of my children at the age they are now, losing their mother.

Laurie has a husband, (Mark) and three children, Kayla 14, Sophia 9, and Spencer 5. I know Laurie through our daughters cheerleading program in Denver. This past Christmas (2005) we all suspected that something was wrong with Laurie. I consider myself a pretty private person, and I was so consumed with Maddux and NILMDTS, I never thought to ask her what was wrong. We were not close friends, anyway, so I did not want to invade her privacy.

In April of 2006, our cheer team had their National Competition in Daytona Beach Florida. It was there, talking with her husband Mark that I became aware of Laurie's condition. (Laurie was unable to make the trip due to dialysis.) To this day, I still can't tell you what her condition was...All I know is that she needed a kidney.
After talking with my close friends about Laurie, and trying to think of something we could do to help, I said, we should all be tested for Kidney donation. Everyone agreed. Nobody tested, but me. I didn't think about my decision at all. I knew what I was going to do, and I knew in my heart that I would be her match. Sounds silly, huh?I had come across the quotes below, months before when I was researching for NILMDTS. I kept coming back to these...

God doesn't require us to succeed; he only requires that you try. ~Mother Teresa

You must be the change you want to see in the world. ~Mahatma Gandhi

You must be the change, that you want to see in this world...Those words have such an impact on me. I want my children to grow up in a world where there is tolerance. Where people care about others. Not only through words, but actions as well. Our world is so hung up on 'me' Does that make sense? Please don't get me wrong, there are many caring people in this world, we just need more...It is too easy to open a check book and donate money to a cause, and think that you have made a difference. It is harder to look deep into yourself, give part of yourself (not meaning the kidney donation...but volunteering your time, your services, your heart), and know that you really HAVE made a difference. I want my children to grow up to be happy, successful adults. I want them to know that one person can make a difference in this world, whether their time in this world was only 6 days, or a lifetime. I want them to see this difference, and know that they too, can be that change.

In April, 2006 when we came back from Florida, I asked Laurie, what steps were needed to be tested for a donor. In October 2006, all tests were completed, and I passed with flying colors. Our surgery was set for November 15th, 2006. I told only a hand full of friends about my surgery. And I only told them because we would need their help with the children while I was in the hospital. My husband was not too happy with my decision, all along, but eventually gave up fighting me, and supported me (lets say 80%) with my decision. He was scared for my safety, the safety of our children (say they should need a kidney in the future) and only educated himself with negative side of kidney donation...(things that could go wrong...)

That is not how I want to live...Nor do I want my children to live that way. I don't want my children to be afraid of death, but I also don't want them to be afraid to live...I could die today, falling in the grocery store (well, not really-because I am never in one) or in a car accident -Definitely most likely (Lord knows I drive enough getting the girls to Cheer three nights a week...) And I refuse to live my life thinking that something terrible is going to happen to one of my children, and I have to 'save' my kidney for them. Life isn't perfect. Life isn't fair. My family personally knows that. We have lived through the death of one of the greatest loves in our lives, and we continue to survive, every day.

Chase, Anna, Natalie and Maddux are my greatest accomplishments in this world. I hope is that the world will see me through them...Giving my kidney to Laurie, I don't see as an accomplishment, but rather an understanding. I put myself and my family in her and her family's 'shoes.' I educated myself and my children to her condition. I visited her when she was on dialysis, I saw first hand want she was going through. I even had my kids go with me one time, so they could see what Kayla, Sophia and Spencer's mommy had to do to simply live...My son Chase, got in the car that day, and said to me, "I now know why you are doing this..." My daughter Anna said "If I had any doubts before, I don't anymore..." Natalie was just excited to see her blood pumping through the tubes...LOL!!!

I saw myself and my family through Laurie and her family. I could understand and empathize. There is no doubt in my mind that we would be praying for a miracle. For somebody, anybody to come forward and be a match and donate life to us...I was not that miracle, I was just that somebody.

Above is an image of Laurie and myself, just days after the surgery and her daughter Sophia and my daughter Anna, that year in Daytona Beach Florida. (When Laurie couldn't make it...)This is what it is all about...Then the VERY TOP image is a recent one taken showing how great Laurie looks...

And by the way, Laurie is doing incredible...And, yes, I am doing great too. And all the kids are happy. And, FYI, Laurie is going to Florida with the team this year...

I highly recommend that every person donate a kidney...(Seriously.)

Ice Skating at Evergreen Lake

Here are some images of us girls ice skating.
It was a beautiful day. Our friends 'The Haralsons' went on a long drive to the foothills of Colorado for this event. Fun was had by all...Even us moms...

Sledding

Just one day out of our many days of snow this year in Colorado...

Locks of Love

I guess that I will start back tracking now. So much has happened this past year.
Anna donated 10 inches of her hair to Locks of Love (in August, I think...). This was her idea. I kept putting off taking her to my hair dresser. I think I was ready for a nervous breakdown. She finally talked me into it though.
Anna and Natalie had a portrait with Chantel at Expressions Photography before she decided to go 'under' the blades...So here is one of those beautiful images,
and here are some images before and after...

Enjoy!

Lake Havasu, Arizona

The Haggard's
The Haralison's

Mike
The kiddo's
NAT

Doesn't my hubby look like McDreamy?

Here are some images of our trip to Lake Havasu, Arizona.
(Ever hear of it from 'Real Housewives of the O.C.'?)
We went with our friends, yes the Haralson's again. They were so kind to open their 'condo' to us, and we took full advantage of them...What else are friends for, right? We all had an awesome time...Beware, if you ever plan on going there, it is HOT! I am talking 120's in the shade...
But it did cool off in the evening...upper 80's...LOL!!!

Natalie's Dream

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My daughter Natalie (6), every time we go to a restaurant that hands out balloons, she ALWAYS writes a note to Maddux on it, and then releases it when we leave. Last night she released two. One for Maddux, and one for baby Daniel.She woke up this morning and said Maddux and Daniel came down from Heaven and played with her. She touched her left cheek and said Maddux kissed her right there and thanked her for the balloon. She said Daniel gave her a big hug around her waist. She just had this amazed look in her eyes. I am such a believer... After she woke up and told me her story, she went and got paper and a pen. She started drawing what she experienced. My guess is to her drawing is like us journaling...She made alittle book...Here it is...I just asked her to explain her story to me, page by page...

Page 1.) Natalie and Maddux playing peek-a-boo. Natalie is in the house, Maddux is outside...

Page 2.) Natalie has a surprise for Maddux and Daniel...(she spelt Daniel-Danyl.)

Page 3.) Natalie tells Maddux and Daniel that she loves them...,

Page 4.) Maddux tells Natalie that he loves her. So does Daniel. Natalie tells them that she loves them too.

There is an Angel in the middle that Natalie says is taking Maddux and Daniel back up to Heaven. Here is the kicker...She says the Angel's name is Lindsey.

Let me tell you about Lindsey...I have a photographer friend named Scott, who lost is first born daughter, Lindsey. I think she would be around 19 now. I have joked with Scott since the day I met him, that his Lindsey is in Heaven, babysitting Maddux and his buddies. Only, Maddux would be the unruly child...I can see Lindsey, tied to a chair, hands and feet bound, and Maddux, dancing around her, Indian Style...

Problems Sleeping

I had alot of problems sleeping after Maddux died. My mind would wonder all night. And when I would finally get to the verge of sleep, I would suddenly jump and startle. I would think of my other children, and literally have panic attacks. My heart would pound. I would break out in cold sweats. My husband would get so angry with me, because I would try to watch TV to help me get drowsy, and that would keep him awake. I told you in an earlier post, that I stopped taking any and all medications, except for just plain tylenol, when needed. So, what can you do when you can't sleep at night?Natalie and I were at the mall one day, getting some shopping done for our trip to Florida. We walked into the Disney store. (now remember, I was not a huge Winnie the Pooh fan...before Dave Junion put Maddux's image to Kenny Loggins song "Return to Pooh Corner..." Again-thanks Dave...) So, there sitting on this shelf is a classic Pooh Bear. Just beautiful. I had never seen one this color before. Very delicate, with little curly fur, and a very pale cream color. Seeing this Pooh Bear, reminded me so much of Maddux. I had such an attraction to this bear...(please don't laugh...)"Come on," I thought. "I am not going to buy this Pooh Bear. I am a grown woman." I picked it up, and held it, and Natalie just went wild. "Buy him, MOM!!! BUY HIM!!!" (she already called Pooh a him...) "No, Natalie. Let's go." So we left the store. I swear, that Bear called me for the rest of our time we were in the mall. I HAD TO GO BACK AND BUY HIM. What was I going to do with him though? Do you know what I did? When I went to bed that night, I got the Pooh Bear out of his bag, (He had on a pink shirt) ((I know -REAL MEN WEAR PINK)) But my husband would never have put his boys in pink, so I snipped the shirt off with sissors. Then I wrapped the Pooh Bear in Maddux's blue "blankie" and crawled into bed. (Remember- all my babies slept with me-still do...Most of the time...) I tried a couple of different positions with my Pooh. I finally settled on my Pooh being placed, tucked alittle bit under my tummy, I am laying on my side, and his head is up, kinda under my ribs. (I still feel like Maddux is inside of me...)I haven't had problems sleeping since...My kids know that this is Mommy's bear, and they can play with him, but can't take him out of my room. I take him everywhere with me. He has been to Florida-Jamaica, Jacksonville (yes Kirk) Austin, Beaver Creek, Breckenridge, Keystone,((FYI-Carry on ONLY)) and when I am just sleeping over at a friend's house--Yes, I still have sleepovers...(remember-everything I do is down in Denver, and I live way up in Evergreen)I had even considered putting some of Maddux's Ashes inside of the bear, but thought if I ever lost him, or if my Beast of a Dog, got ahold of him, I would be very, very, very upset.So, consider buying a bear, to help you sleep. You can go to Build-A-Bear and custom make a bear, that you think would match your baby. Consider putting a sleeper from your baby on your bear. And of course, wrapping him/her in your baby's "blankie."

Cremation or Burial

Ok, This is going to be a tough conversation, but I feel it is time to open up and share, what was a very emotional part of our lives. I personally, want to be cremated. Not buried. I never want my children to feel obligated to put flowers on my grave, or feel guilty for not "visiting me."My husband is self employed, and we have this habit and privilege of moving to an area, just because. (Ask me sometime how I got to Colorado...)So, because of this, we decided to have Maddux cremated. I just could not bear the thought of moving, and leaving Maddux behind. Then I could not bear the thought of Having to move, and being forced to leave Maddux behind. Does that make any sense?After Maddux died, and during autopsy, came the decisions, of funeral homes. How much? Were they credible? Would they treat him well? When would they pick him up? Over and over and over. I wanted to personally drive to every funeral home and "interview" the Man in Charge. Luckily, my husband put his foot down, said NO. And took it upon himself to find the "right" person. Everything was able to be done over the phone and by fax. (Of course, I'm not too happy about this decision...Remember I wanted to personally Interview...) But, looking back now, this was the best choice for us. I had looked online for cremation urns. (how I hate that word-urns...) And trust me, I looked and looked and looked. Nothing was right, I did not see anything that I even remotely liked or wanted. This was a very imoportant decision for me. I am looking for a "resting place" for my son! One of the only decisions or choices I will ever be able to make for him as his mother. This had to be perfect...Not just for him, but for me as well. I did not take this task lightly.I believe we picked up Maddux on February 17th. I remember the kids were out of school. (presidents day) We drove to (and yes, I will tell you the name) ERLINGER FUNERAL HOME in Lafayette Colorado. The directors name is Carl Erlinger. An incredible and compassionate man. He asked us if we wanted an urn to put Maddux in, and we said yes. He showed us all of what he had. Not a large selection, but again, the same that I was seeing over the internet. I told Mike no. I didn't see anything I wanted, and didn't want something "to just tide me over..." I didn't want to have to "transfer him." So, we took Maddux in a little plastic bag, that was put into a burgundy velvet bag with gold tassels. I continued my search...Now it was time to "think out of the box..." (No pun intended...) I looked online at china stores, I looked at Sterling Silver vases. I looked at LLardo figurines. I found some beautiful pieces here. Especially the ones titled: MY GUARDIAN ANGEL and HEAVENLY SLUMBER drove to several stores looking at them. They were perfect. The only thing wrong, was that there was no opening to insert Maddux's ashes. Mike said he could just drill a hole at the bottom. (And we honestly thought about actually doing this.) Then someone said, "Take it to a Jeweler." Ok, we could do that, too. If it broke-it broke. No big deal. I used to be a huge antique mall shopper. I love the old and rustic look. One day I was driving by the antique mall of off I-70. Ok, I'll go in. I fould this cute little ceramic figurine of a boy, kneeling in prayer with a teddy and a bible in front of him. (see 1st image) There was no bottom. This would be perfect, I thought. Mike could make a bottom. I did not let the $3.00 price tag steer me away. (thinking it was too cheap.) I bought it. Took it home, and put it on the shelf, so the kids wouldn't break it. The next week, I was driving Chase to a baseball lesson at Slammers. I had an hour to kill, and there was another little antique mall close by, so I drove there. I was in there for probably 15 minutes, when near the front I saw it. Exactly what I was looking for. The maker is Royal Doulton and the figurine is called "Family" (see second image.) And, better yet, there is a hole at the bottom. (surely we can figure out how to seal it...)So, this is what we have decided to use as our son's resting place, for now. Mike and I have agreed, that whoever (between the two of us) dies first, we will scatter Maddux's ashes, with the ashes of one of us. I love this figurine. It reminds me of our photographs we had done with Sandy. Where Mike and I are together and Maddux is cradled in my arms. Mike and I always have thought and said, that that night with Sandy and her camera, was our memorial to Maddux. We never even thought about having a service for Maddux. This was our way of honoring him...Through the Photographs...

Maddux's first Heavenly Birthday

On February 4th, 2006 both of my daughters had a cheerleading competition at the Denver Colliseum. The youth team took 1st place and the juniors took 2nd place. Not bad for a team that has only been together for less that a year. My husband was home, and we were able to share this day with very good friends. Thank you Ali, Tony, Chris, Tammy G. for all your kind words and thoughts. Thank you for mentioning Maddux, and that this day was his birthday. After the Jamfest, I took my oldest daughter Anna (9) to get her ears pierced. Then we all went to Ted's and ate dinner. Now, this is the fun part. For 11 months, I had talked about getting a tattoo. Yes, you heard me right. A tattoo. I NEVER thought in my life that I would get one. At first, after Maddux's death, I just wanted his name below my c section line. Something simple and private. Something just for me-noone else. (I can't believe that I am sharing this...) So after dinner, my friend Ali (who has stuck with me through thick and thin) started driving around. My husband took the kids with Tony, back to their place. (Shaking his head all the way home.) He would prefer that I not get one, and honestly, didn't think I was serious. I had checked prior with some people who had tattoos, (where else, but Tokyo Joes-one of the best fast food japanese restraunts in Denver-their motto has something to do with "the few, the proud, the pierced...) about places in Denver. Ali and I walked into one, and literally ran out there. I decided to try one more. Thinking as we walked in, if this place is like the first, I'm done. It wasn't. Very nice, clean and friendly. They new exactly what I wanted and what I was looking for, (of course, by that time I had changed my mind from just his name to a little Pooh Bear with angel wings, and his name.) So...below are some photos. Courtesy of my friend Chris Pepe, who we called at 11pm to come "play" with us. My friend Ali holding my hand (it hurt her more than it hurt me...)And please don't think we dress alike all the time. (Girls had a cheer competions. We were showing our support.) Then, my little Classic Pooh Bear with Angel Wings, and Maddux's name underneath.

I love my tattoo...

February 4th, 2006

Dear Family and Friends

I find myself sitting here at my desk at 5:00 in the morning. I’ve been doing this for a few months now— enjoying the stillness and peace of my home at this early hour. My children are still sleeping, and I’m waiting for a new day to begin. Then it hit me—the last time I really enjoyed mornings like this was when I was breastfeeding my babies.

This realization makes me think of what-should-have- been. Right now I should still be breastfeeding Maddux, getting ready to wean him. I should be planning his 1ST birthday party. I should still be changing diapers. But instead, I’m trying to juggle my life as a wife and mother, room mom, cheer mom, baseball mom, housekeeper, taxi driver, trash taker- outer and my small part in the new life of a non- profit organization. Although I thought about it, I didn’t break down and cry. Instead, I welcomed and smiled at these thoughts. Smiled at this great challenge. Last year during this time, we were anxiously awaiting the arrival of our new little baby boy. Everything was ready. All we needed was Maddux.

What a turn this past year has taken. Ten years ago, if you would have asked me what I would be doing with my life, I would have never answered, “trying to find a way to help parents heal their broken hearts after the death of their baby.” And even if I would have said that, I sure didn’t think that it would come from my own personal experience. I was happy just being a wife and mother.

Some people ask me how I got to this point in my healing. Why am I not a mess? How am I able to hold it together? Truth is—I think I’m a mess. I don’t think I’m able to hold it together. Am I healed, you ask? No. Is my family healed? No. Will life get better? Yes!

We will always grieve the death of Maddux. But at the same time, we will ALWAYS celebrate the birth of Maddux—the birth of our son and our children’s baby brother. We will celebrate the importance of his short life, the importance of his being. We will always think of the 'what-should-have-beens'. My heart will always be broken and a piece will always be missing. But there came a time when those broken pieces started to come together again. And if you look really close, you can see those tiny fracture lines. Some days they are closer together. Some days they are ripped wide apart. They will never go away, and I accept that.

I hear there is a new pill that can help you forget bad or painful memories. The death of Maddux was extremely painful for us, individually and as a family. But would I take a pill to help me forget it? NO WAY!

My pain, my grief and my heartache are the consequence of loving deeply, loving unconditionally, and the death of one of the greatest loves in my life. There is a quote that really fits this: “Tis better to have loved and lost, than to have never loved at all.” - Alfred Lord Tennyson

I can’t imagine what our lives would have been like, had we not had Maddux. As a husband and wife, we have silently learned to support and depend on each other. As a family, we have grown closer and are more aware of each others feelings and needs. I personally think I am a more gentle and kind person. I think I am a better wife, a better mother and a better friend. Yes, I have my memories. Some good, some not so good. I have my faith. And I have my precious and priceless photographs of my beautiful baby boy.

I have loved deeply. I have lost greatly, and I will grieve always. If I had just one piece of advice to give at this point and time in my life, it’s this—remember to always love deeply. Love those seen and those unseen. Loving deeply, for the most part, will not end in heartache. But when it does, accept that this heartache is the consequence of a parent’s deep and unconditional love. Don’t try to get rid of it. Accept that because you have loved deeply, you will grieve greatly. Take your own time to grieve, not someone else’s. And one day, you also will feel the broken pieces of your heart start to come together again.

Blessings to you all,
Cheryl Haggard

Halloween Images

This photo was taken in 2005 at Expressions Photography for their annual Halloween Charity, Food Bank of the Rockies...

Anna is a Saucy Pirate, Natalie is a Sultry Vampire, and Chase...Well, remember he was big on the movie Troy that year...Hence, the middle name for Maddux, Achilles...