For Sunday February 26th, 2023

Hello again, I apologize to anyone who might have read enough about Maddie by now but, when huge things happen in your life they tend to last a while and affect everything else you're doing, hopefully for the better.

The celebration of life for Maddie was yesterday, beautiful beyond words, much as Maddie was. Quick story: Whenever asked how she was doing she'd answer by showing two thumbs up and saying, "I'm good."
Every single time:
When she was running a fever of 109, "I'm good."
When her oxygen saturation was only 50%, "I'm good."
When her stats showed her body should be in the morgue, "I'm good."
And two thumbs up, every time.

I like to think she was speaking from her soul, knowing she was doing her spiritual job – opening hearts. The condition of her body was less important than the spiritual condition of her presence on Earth.

There's too much to cover here, but on the back of the program was one of her favorite stories – The Sparkly Caterpillar by Melissa Carney:
"Once upon a time there was a beautiful baby Caterpillar. From the first time her parents saw their baby, they knew she was special!
The Baby Caterpillar was pink! It was a soft pink, but nothing like the other caterpillars. She was special. She even sparkled when she went into the sunlight.
Baby Caterpillar grew up to do amazing things. She could dance and sing and she could draw the most colorful pictures.
Baby Caterpillar had a wonderful imagination, the other Caterpillars couldn't help but watch her. She could play, swim, and go on adventures!
One day the baby caterpillar dreamed of flying! The other Caterpillars were scared, they didn't know how to fly. But the baby Caterpillar was creative.
She made the most beautiful sparkly wings. She was ready for her next adventure!
The other caterpillars began to feel sad. They didn't have wings, and they weren't ready to fly off yet. They didn't want her to leave.
Baby Caterpillar knew one more big show would make them feel better. So before she put her wings on she gave the best show ever!
She smiled, she sparkled, she danced, and she sang. She encouraged everyone to have fun with her!
She did all her best tricks, and so did the other caterpillars until everyone was happy again.
Now all of the caterpillars can put on a show and make each other happy.
Baby Caterpillar knew they would be ok while she was gone on her adventure.
She wrapped herself up in her beautiful wings, and did a spin. The wings popped open and she looked like a butterfly! She was the most beautiful sparkly butterfly.
Baby Caterpillar, now a sparkly butterfly, asked her friends and family to help cheer her on. She was going to fly as high as she could go.
They all started to cheer, telling her how much they loved her, they would miss her, and thanking her for teaching them all how to have fun.
She flew higher and higher until she couldn't see them anymore. For a moment she was sad, she was going to miss all the games and fun they had together.
When she looked out she saw the most beautiful sunset. It was ok to be sad, but this was going to be an amazing adventure.
Baby Caterpillar flew off leaving sparkles in the air so the other caterpillars would always remember her."
This evening, may we wish Maddie Godspeed. And, may we find bits of sparkles in the air, that we may fly high too.

With Great Love,

Richard