Purple
I was never a girly-girl. In the princess dress, all-things-pink loving kind of way. I played softball. I tromped through bogs trying to find tadpoles.
I did play with dolls. And I, uh, sometimes wore skirts. But that’s about as far as my girlie ways took me.
I was more often covered in mud than glitter.
And then I had boys. And when you think of what a textbook boy is, that’s what I got. They’re obsessed with all things car, truck, train, plane and any form of automobile. They constantly filthy. They’re constantly picking their noses (and eating it – EW). They’re constantly talking, and laughing, about bodily functions. They pee all over the bathroom. They LOVE GARBAGE.
So, I never had a chance, or a reason, to embrace girl stuff. I mean, I owned a few pieces of clothing that were pink or purple, but only because they were cute and that was the only color they had in my size. Heh.
But lately, things have changed. I have to STOP myself from buying things in purple. I scan store windows, racks of clothes and ads for purple tones. I even bought purple shoes! PURPLE SHOES!
Okay, so they’re flip flops. But they’re purple. And I love them.
Notice the purple toes? Yeah.
I wear purple tops on a regular basis.
I see purple in random places.
I order online (sorry honey!) purple dresses.
This baby is coming to BlogHer with me!
Long story short, purple has taken on a whole new meaning.
And, even if it’s not purple.
I see this little girl everywhere.
And I will always be purple. For Maddie.
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perksofbeingme on 23 Jun 2009 at 3:55 pm #
I too see purple everywhere. Purple has become a favorite.
perksofbeingmes last blog post..Protected: It’s not my favorite day.
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ali (adil320) on 23 Jun 2009 at 3:57 pm #
You hit the nail on the head with this one. I am the same way, never been very girly, and I have 2 boys as well. I too lately have been finding myself drawn to purple without really thinking about it. Then I will get out of the store and Maddie will enter my mind.
What a beautiful post, Heather and Mike are lucky to have a friend like you! Keep purple-ing it up Meghan, she lives on through everyones memories and thoughts.
ali (adil320)s last blog post..Random Tuesday Thoughts
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sam {temptingmama} on 23 Jun 2009 at 4:01 pm #
Me too Meghan. me too.
In fact, I have on a purple shirt and when I came home I tossed on my purple yoga pants. I’m purple head to toe.
Great post friend. xoxox
sam {temptingmama}s last blog post..Casey
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pgoodness on 23 Jun 2009 at 4:20 pm #
Me too. Me too.
pgoodnesss last blog post..14 and counting
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Lisa on 23 Jun 2009 at 4:27 pm #
I found myself so drawn to purple these days too. In fact I’m wearing a purple shirt right now
I see purple and I think of Maddie and Heather. You said it right, purple has taken on a whole new meaning.
Lisas last blog post..Pregnancy Exercise: Hot Weather Exercises
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denise on 23 Jun 2009 at 4:27 pm #
Me too – I mean, about missing Maddie. I think about Heather, Mike and Maddie daily. I even stay away from the baby department at Target, it’s too sad.
I’m so glad Heather and Mike have a great friend like you and I know you are hurting too.
HUGS
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Christy on 23 Jun 2009 at 4:37 pm #
Beautiful post, Meg. Just beautiful. You look lovely in purple, with purple flip flops and purple toe nails. I can hardly wait to hug you and all of your purpleness in Chicago.
Mwah. SMFD.
Christys last blog post..Sweet innocence
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kathygee1 on 23 Jun 2009 at 4:40 pm #
Beautifully written. Very moving. I don’t know them, but my heart has been broken for them.
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Debby Puccid on 23 Jun 2009 at 5:28 pm #
I see her everywhere too and I love how you have embraced her with wearing purple. You have done so much for the family and I want you to know that I am very proud of you.
Debby Puccids last blog post..FOR YOUR TEARS
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Debby Pucci on 23 Jun 2009 at 5:30 pm #
I don’t know how the d got added on to Pucci. Also, come see my new blog spot at http://wwwforyourtears.blogspot.com/
Debby Puccis last blog post..FOR YOUR TEARS
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Ashleigh on 23 Jun 2009 at 6:08 pm #
I’ve been doing that a lot too. It’s like I’m more drawn to it now than ever before – And I didn’t know about Maddie until the day after she passed. Now I think of their family and pray for them daily. Every time I decorate a cake with purple I say a little prayer in my heart for that joyful little girl that continues to touch the lives of people everywhere. Heather and Mike are very lucky to have someone like you in their lives. I’m kind of jealous that I only really get to share twitter banter every now and then.
Ashleighs last blog post..I now pronounce you…
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Molly on 23 Jun 2009 at 6:27 pm #
agreed. completely. My nails and toes are currently purple. They will probably always be from now on. Purple just feels right. Sometimes I wake up and go to Heather’s Blog and wonder how Maddie could be gone. How someone that cute, that vibrant, that beautiful, could be gone. I can’t fathom it. I cannot begin to think of how heather and mike feel. So I wear purple. and I feel a little less alone.
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nic @mybottlesup on 23 Jun 2009 at 7:02 pm #
FANTASTIC my love… you are not alone. so many of us see purple in an entirely new and exquisite way.
nic @mybottlesups last blog post..Don’t hate. Just don’t.
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tara on 23 Jun 2009 at 7:05 pm #
i never liked the color purple. i also didn’t know heather, mike or maddie. once i read their story (and went back and read heather and mike’s blogs in their entirety), i was, and am, changed forever. the beautiful, incredible madeline, and the way her parents LIVED with her is so inspiring, and SO beautiful. in a world where so many parents complain about the day to day of raising kids, i loved to read their tales of happiness, always happiness. purple has taken on a whole new meaning for me, and always will. for me, purple equals maddie, and i will never stop thinking of maddie.
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Tracy on 23 Jun 2009 at 7:09 pm #
Me too. I have found myself looking for everything in purple. Heather, Mike, Maddie and you are incredibly inspiring.
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Michele on 23 Jun 2009 at 7:30 pm #
I love the tree picture especially..I think of the Spohrs everyday and I am so impressed by all you have done to help them through this horrific loss. I say a prayer for them each time I see purple, and planted a section of purple flowers in my garden this spring to honor Maddie and a family I only know through their blog. It is clear that, while Maddie touched and continues to touch the lives of people like me who never met her, she is deeply loved and missed by those who did have the pleasure of knowing her IRL, like you. Please don’t forget, while taking care of your friends, to take care of yourself too.
~ Michele in Staten Island, NY
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Francesca on 23 Jun 2009 at 7:33 pm #
me too. that was a very nice posting also…very nice thoughts.
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AmazingGreis on 23 Jun 2009 at 7:44 pm #
Purple has definitely taken on a whole new meaning. I see purple everywhere and when I see purple I think of Maddie and that makes me smile.
I’ve never been a big fan of purple, but I have purchased more purple tops in the past few months than I have ever.
Maddie has touched me forever.
AmazingGreiss last blog post..I &hearts Faces – Week 24
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Miss Grace on 23 Jun 2009 at 7:54 pm #
Purple is a very special color now.
Miss Graces last blog post..Tuesdays! Rarely Awesome!
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Erin on 23 Jun 2009 at 9:04 pm #
Maddie is so beautiful, and has the most catching smile, and I just know after reading this post, I will see purple a whole lot more! And I am like you, not a girlie girl, have two boys but love Purple, and I will think of Maddie each time I put on something purple!
Erins last blog post..The Baby Itch….
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Al_Pal on 23 Jun 2009 at 10:41 pm #
ME TOO! (Except the raising boys part.) I liked purple before, but now? Love. Got a shirt & skirt & pedi last month. On the lookout for more. I love the tree photo, too.
Wonderful post.
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DesignHER Momma on 24 Jun 2009 at 4:25 am #
I haven’t typically been a purple girl in the past myself. Now I find it beautiful where I would have least expected it – thanks to a little girl named maddie….
DesignHER Mommas last blog post..This beebe in mah belleh
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melissa on 24 Jun 2009 at 5:23 am #
Beautious post.
It’s hard to see purple and not think of the Maddie.
I’ve always dressed my girls in purple just because I prefer it over pink, but it’s differnt now.
LOVE the flip flops. My fav kind of shoes!
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Nicole on 24 Jun 2009 at 5:50 am #
The pic of the trees and the bubble are amazing, you do see purple everywhere. My daughter always has looked so good in purple and i love it too. BUt just like everyone else it seem, i am drawn to purple too. We are going on vaca on sunday and i plan to get a purple pedi so a little piece of Maddie plays in the sand with the kids and us…..
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Andrea's Sweet Life on 24 Jun 2009 at 11:05 am #
First of all, that dress is gorgeous and, DJ? No complaining allowed, I don’t even care how much it cost!
I love that you are purple infused, and seeing Maddie where ever you go. Must find comfort where it can be found, yes?
My toes are also purple – I just can’t help picking a shade of purple, every time!
Andrea’s Sweet Lifes last blog post..Funny, I Don’t FEEL Cleaner
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anymommy on 24 Jun 2009 at 11:57 am #
A lovely post – I smile whenever I see purple as well, especially the flowers around here this time of year.
That dress is gorgeous, I can’t wait to see you in it!
anymommys last blog post..You Are My Sunshine
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Issa on 24 Jun 2009 at 12:33 pm #
Me too.
Issas last blog post..The story of the door slammer
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DE Heather on 24 Jun 2009 at 1:29 pm #
I never was a big fan of purple but now, I too, am drawn to it. I have at least a half dozen purple tops now & I keep wanting to get more. I was filled will happiness and sadness when we painted The Chicken’s room a few weeks back, purple. I figure it is the least I can do for one beautiful little girl.
DE Heathers last blog post..Wordless Wednesday: The Flying Edition
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amanda on 24 Jun 2009 at 3:17 pm #
I love this. Purple has always been my favorite color (today I was very matchy-matchy in my purple top and flip flops) and it has, of course, taken on additional meaning as a representative color of beautiful little Maddie. xo from CT, Amanda
amandas last blog post..RAIN! I mean, VACATION!
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Ronda on 24 Jun 2009 at 5:13 pm #
Same here. Never was into purple much, but since learning about Maddie, I see it everywhere and I want to wear it all the time. I even bought a back of purple hairbands, the kind for ponytails, and I usually have an extra one or two on my wrists. Love the purple shoes by the way.
Rondas last blog post..Two of my baby tomatoes!
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Lu on 24 Jun 2009 at 5:49 pm #
Beautiful post. (tear)
I too see purple and I think of Maddie. I want purple, everything. I had only beenon twitter a short while prior to Maddie’s passing and I was shocked and awed but what the community of twitter did for the Sphor’s and MoD. I am honored to have been a part of it. I honestly think of her daily.
Lus last blog post..Sister Sadness
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Grandmaother on 24 Jun 2009 at 7:29 pm #
Lovely post Meghan.
I see Maddie in all things purple, as well.
And when you think of it, red wine is a shade of purple.
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Joe on 25 Jun 2009 at 2:43 am #
Purple has become a “pennies from heaven” thing for me. It’s infectious. Where I would normally just see a pink, purple, and red sunset… I now see a PURPLE sunset with a splash of pink and read mixed in.
Joes last blog post..Happy Blogiversary
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Joe on 25 Jun 2009 at 2:45 am #
err…. “red”. I can’t believe I misspelled that.
Joes last blog post..Happy Blogiversary
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Vixen on 25 Jun 2009 at 6:07 am #
Purple and green have always been my favorite colors, but you are right I now see purple differently. At least, I react differently when I see it. Not is a bad way, but in a “life is short, savor it” kind of way!
Vixens last blog post..With A Little Help From My Friends
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Amy in OHio on 25 Jun 2009 at 10:25 am #
xxoo
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Maura on 25 Jun 2009 at 3:51 pm #
I’m kind of the opposite. Purple has always been “my” color. I own so many purple tops that people come to expect them. It became a signature. But now, that signature color has so much more meaning. It became Maddie’s color, too, and I wouldn’t have it any other way if she can’t be here with us.
Mauras last blog post..Hitting the Road
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