What You Can Do
Everyone, including me, is wondering what they can possibly do for Mike and Heather. I have a few suggestions.
To help them directly:
- Keep sending them notes and cardsto the mailbox set up for them. They’re reading them ALL. *address below*
- Keep leaving comments of love and support on their sites. They’re reading them ALL.
- Keep sending them tweets of love and support. They’re reading them ALL.
- Check with Stefanie to see about sending them a meal in the weeks and months to come, or a gift card to a local restaurant.*
- Send them grocery (Ralph’s is closest), Target, Costco or Trader Joe’s gift cards.*
- Don’t be afraid to reach out. Email, call, text, chat. If they don’t feel like talking, they won’t. But they’ll appreciate your effort.
- Talk about Maddie. She was a beautiful, funny little girl. If you write a post, link to it here. They are being printed out and bound for Mike & Heather. And, you guessed it, they’re reading them ALL.
***Edited 4/17 to add: STAY PURPLE. It’s the easiest thing to do, and it means a lot to Heather and Mike. If you don’t want to stay purple forever, that’s fine and totally understandable, but please, please stay purple at least through 4/25 and the March for Maddie walk. Please.***
To help them indirectly:
- Read this post and do what Kristen did. It’s a perfect way to honor Maddie. Heather’s NICU FAQ with a list of items can be found here.
- Walk in your local March for Babies walk, in honor of Maddie.
- If you knit or crochet, make hats, booties or blankets to be donated to your local NICU. A long list of patterns can be found here.
Please, feel free to email me if you have any ideas or questions. meghan(@)amomtwoboys(.)com.
Mike & Heather Spohr
11870 Santa Monica Blvd. #106-514
West Los Angeles, CA 90025
*Heather might possibly never speak to me again for these, but that’s a risk I’m willing to take if it means it makes their life easier in ANY way.
**Photo courtesy of Spohr family friend, Rebecca D.
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Scary Mommy on 16 Apr 2009 at 4:23 pm #
You are an amazing friend, and they are so lucky to have you.
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amanda on 16 Apr 2009 at 4:23 pm #
You are such a fabulous friend to Heather and Mike. I am sure they are so appreciative for all you’ve done. Thank you for the suggestions. There are so many people out here who want to do SOMETHING…and this points us in many right directions.
amandas last blog post..if you’re happy and you know it clap your hands
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Lauren on 16 Apr 2009 at 4:40 pm #
Meghan, everything you’re doing for the Spohrs and to mobilize people to action is so amazing. I know you’re grieving and missing Maddie too, so I wanted you to know you’re right next to Heather and Mike and Maddie in my heart and prayers.
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SusieO on 16 Apr 2009 at 4:45 pm #
Thank you SO MUCH for posting this… I know there are others like me who just feel like they need to do SOMETHING. I think of Heather, Mike & Maddie all the time – esp when I look at my youngest… I need to take the sadness and turn it into something good and positive. Thank you, Meghan. Thank you thank you.
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Angie @ Keep Believing on 16 Apr 2009 at 6:48 pm #
Speaking from experience, the gift cards add up tremendously fast and can be a bit difficult to maintain – if you know they have a favorite place, collect on her behalf and get one card. Or get her something to carry and organize the cards.
You are a good friend for doing this for her. you are a better friend if you hand deliver it to her and make each day as easy as possible for her.
KEEP BELIEVING
Angie @ Keep Believings last blog post..housekeeping
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Andrea's Sweet Life on 16 Apr 2009 at 7:26 pm #
You are so awesome. Speaking only for myself of course, I have been hesitant to “bug” Heather and Mike, in case they didn’t feel up to, well, being bugged. And, erm, trying also not to overwhelm you, either (person who gets 10 trillion emails a day *ahem*).
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EatPlayLove on 16 Apr 2009 at 7:26 pm #
Nice Job yet again, btw I do have a little something something for YOU, I will be sending it out this weekend. It’s got a burger joint all over it. I didn’t forget about you, I am hoping to get them on Saturday when I see my friend. BTW she’s hooking you up and made no mention of me, hmmm…
And, I love seeing everything right in one place as I am quite scattered these days. You rock.
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Slbower on 16 Apr 2009 at 7:30 pm #
Meghan, You have been a wonderful friend to the Spohr family I don’t think anyone will be hating you anytime soon. I squeeze my 9 month old daughter a little tighter since learning of Maddie’s story. I felt like I really needed to do something to honor Maddie but right now we can’t afford much extra. We bought a purple rose bush at Target today and will be planting it tomorrow and naming it Maddie. (We name everything) I know it’s not helping the spohrs directly but I wanted to do something to honor Maddie and her infectious smile.
I am sure you have heard this a lot lately but the Heather and Mike are lucky to have you in there life right now. Thank you for all you do. You have a heart of Gold.
Sheryl
http://makaylabower.blogspot.com/
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anymommy on 16 Apr 2009 at 8:34 pm #
Love you. Thank you.
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Hilary on 17 Apr 2009 at 5:34 am #
Just to reiterate what everyone else has said you are a wonderful friend. With all Mike and Heather are going through I’m sure they are so thankful to have someone like you in their life.
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Jennifer in Texas (Cjengo) on 17 Apr 2009 at 8:56 am #
You are a wonderful friend! The picture is very moving, and brought me to tears………again.
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Insta-Mom on 17 Apr 2009 at 9:23 am #
Love.
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rachel-asouthernfairytale on 17 Apr 2009 at 9:26 am #
You are such a God Send.
You are inspirational to us all.
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Lisa on 17 Apr 2009 at 9:53 am #
Thanks for posting this. I was thinking about sending them a card and now I definitely will. I hope they find comfort in the thoughts and prayers of others and in the amazing friendship you have shown them.
Purple will always remind me of Maddie.
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