so we had another great night.
the doula took care of madeline.
i (almost) slept through the night.
so this morning i got a call from a good friend of mine.
one of the burglary detectives
at the n.e. division police station in los angeles.
(in case you didn’t know, we got burglarized on jan. 25th)
he called and asked me
a rather strange question…
“are you missing a blackberry?”
(i was talking to him on mine, and liz’s was in view).
so
i said no.
he said yes.
i said no again.
so he quoted me a text message
that i had written
to liz
last september.
something that at the time
was so
unimportant.
but now seems like
the
most important thing in the world.
i realized that she was indeed missing a blackberry.
it was an old one.
it had been replaced
because
it was broken.
yet somehow the det. got it to work,
found our text message exchange,
and tracked the phone back to liz (and me).
(it also helped nail the accomplice to the guy who burglarized out house, which is nice).
pretty amazing.
but not
what i was hoping for.
when the burglars visited our house,
they had gotten a small haul.
(we walked in on the guys in the middle of their job, and one of the guys got caught the next day…mainly ’cause liz slowed the burglar/getaway driver down by politely yelling, “excuse me, excuse me!” that gave me a enough time to get the burglar’s license plate number as he drove off…the police caught him the next morning).
we got (almost) everything back.
everything, it seems,
except a whole lot of jewelry
i’d purchased for liz over the years
as well as her old blackberry.
so when the det. called me
and told me about the bb,
i told him about liz,
asked him about the jewelry.
he told me,
“we have a ton of jewelry here”
i held out hope
that the jewelry at the station
may be liz’s.
i promptly headed to the station.
(madeline still with doula).
the detective handed me the bb.
i looked over the jewelry
and
found nothing
that belonged to
liz.
(which totally sucks).
maybe they will find it
someday.
and if they do,
madeline will have
physical representations
of some of my
greatest times
(anniversaries, birthdays, regular ol’ “here’s a gift” days).
with her momma.
10 Comments
Wow, Matt. How strange the timing of the BB return. Just when it matters to have the old messages. I’m sending you as much tenderness as one can through thoughts and a keyboard.
She is stunning.
Your daughter is beautiful (and shares my birthday!)
I am so sorry about the loss of your wife.
Stumbled here through Cribsheet.
Matt, I saw your post on the Star Tribune’s “Cribsheet” blog. Your daughter is so beautiful I cried. I’m a 53-year-old grandma from West St. Paul, and I’m holding you two in my heart. You’re a wonderful dad. Believe it. I’m so sorry you lost your sweet Liz, but I have this feeling she’s watching over you, so you’ll be just fine. Someone (I don’t remember who) once wrote, “Babies are God’s reminder to us that the world goes on.” It’s so true. Keep on writing.
visiting from cribsheet. can’t stop thinking about you matt, and madeline, and liz. my daughter mirah (5 1/2 months) and i send you hugs from a blustery minnetonka.
Matt – I went to Hopkins HS with you. I learned about your tragic loss and beautiful baby and have been checking in on your website to see how you are doing. Each time I come here I am so touched and amazed by your strength. Madeline is so lucky to have you as a dad. Thank you for sharing your emotions and stories with others.
Lauren Gruesner
I have been thinking about you and your family so much since I stumbled across your website right after you lost Liz.
What can I say? From New York, I send you so many prayers and good wishes.
You and Madeline are blessed to have each other – and you two were equally blessed to have Liz. Her physical absence is just that – a physical absence… she will always be with you and you will both be okay. I promise (I speak from experience).
Lots of love to you and your precious little girl.
I saw your posting in Cribsheets and I have been reading your blog for the past hour…sobbing. My heart goes out to you. You and Liz both looked so excited for what was to come.
As a somewhat new parent, I can tell you that taking care of an infant does get easier…and the pay off gets better and better each week.
Good luck to you and Madeline.
Matt, as a 30-year-old mom of two young girls, my heart breaks for you and your loss of Liz. Your pictures are incredibly touching. Madeline is in good hands. Keep writing and please remember that you are not alone. You are so blessed to have the extended family and friends that you have…
I hate to say it, but did you check pawn shops?
Your story is amazing.
Maddy can now be the sweet recipient of regular ol’ “here’s a gift” days!