Comments on: jan. 19.

By: Ashley

Ashley — Thu, 19 Feb 2009 17:37:34 +0000

oh, the Blackberry. That thing has kept Lulu entertained on the NYC to CA flights when nothing else would work. Glad to see Maddy is keeping upi with checking her crackberry, too.

By: Kristin Skibba

Kristin Skibba — Wed, 18 Feb 2009 02:59:14 +0000

GREAT PICTURES!!!!

By: Kristin Skibba

Kristin Skibba — Wed, 18 Feb 2009 02:57:54 +0000

I saw you on RR and had to look you up. It’s an amazing story you have. I know that your daughter will enjoy reding it some day. I wish I had money to donate to your cause. But I’m a poor college student at this time. But when I can I will donate to your cause. JUST KEEP SWIMMING!! “Finding Nemo” Kristin Skibba Stevens Point, WI

By: Roads in the London

Roads in the London — Wed, 18 Feb 2009 01:15:20 +0000

That’s hard. Not the crying on the plane (although that’s not easy, either), but coming home to an empty house after a holiday.

Somehow that really rams it home. Don’t worry — it hurts like hell, but that’s just how it works. The most painful route to healing that has ever been devised.

No gain without pain — and that means you’re definitely quids in on that one, right?

Spirits up.

By: Annie from OR

Annie from OR — Mon, 16 Feb 2009 13:43:33 +0000

I have been following your journey almost from the beginning and I thank you for openly sharing your heart and imaginative photos…your anguish and healing. I have come to love you and Maddy and Liz as you have allowed me into your world. Your sense of humor is so great and refreshing. You just crack me up when I least expect it! The way you express yourself, your insights, your depth and personality impresses me as an all-around “glad to know you, honored to be your friend” person. I am De-Lurking because I want to talk about someone who never fails to intrigue and captivate me. Through your blog video clips, I’ve watched Maddy reacting to your friends and family clapping when she learns a new skill or meets a challenge such as catching bubbles! I so love to see her expressive face and body language. She is uncannily vigilant. (I swear she is already multi-tasking: making sounds, baby-talking; instantly aware of the bubbles, dropping a toy, so that her hands are free to point exactly to where each bubble landed; tossing her arms up, pulling the blanket into position, and getting ready for the next barrage. All this in basically split-second sequences.) LOL. She is intent, totally in the moment, finding out the cause and effect. But she stays alert to what is going on around her and hones in immediately to keep track of any/all activity; thus, not missing one detail of the experience. Fascinating to watch her. I have imagined she is thinking…”Hmmm. What causes that nice reaction? Was it my smile? My hands? My cute movements? (”Well ,it can’t be that ‘cause I was just sitting still”.).However, during the Rachel Ray show, I think she figured out what it is. I was caught up when the following happened: After RR said, “…thousands of strangers who have stepped into his life …to help their lives. We’ll be right back”, the audience began clapping. Maddy calmly turned her head (firmly holding onto her teething bracelet!),swept the entire audience, absorbed the ‘happening’, connected, and then – there it was! A knowing look and a sweet gesture right back at them: a quick, half-wink of her left eye! Precious!! I actually laughed out loud and said, “That’s right Maddy. You go Baby. That’s WHO you are.” I think she suddenly understood why people clap…not for anything she does, but just that SHE IS. People love her just for BEING. Bless you Matt for giving her that experience and platform, as only you can, to widen her world. You gave her life nearly one year ago and now are offering her a very safe, loving life with you. You are involving her in a vastly dimensional LIFE! What a gift back to her and back to Liz and your families. And us creeps. You are both so blessed to be together – you are a good man and doing such a good job as Daddy. For sure, you are not sitting in a corner while she plays with scissors, to quote you!! I know the post is long, but I really want you to know I think she is marvelous and she is all about details and joy. I want to send you kudos for being so transparent, honest, and REAL. I used to say this about my daughter, “She bites off more than she can chew, and then chews it.” (At 5 y.o. if she could swim out five strokes, she would take six!” lol) You, Matt, have that kind of strength and determination. This is your reality (beyond your expectation) and you are dealing with it manfully and tenderly. Take care. Love and prayers from creep Annie.
BTW: Two of my favorite pictures illustrate what I call her ‘gaze of absorption’! In the Doctor’s waiting room gazing up at the fish tank—and—sitting next to the black statue in Mexico, touching it and storing the image away in her memory pack. Ahhhh, these are the things dreams are made of, Matt. Beautiful, intense, wonderful experiences. Remember it all and feel it all. Truly, the first year of ‘firsts’ is toughest so just stay real and stay connected. You two are creating new memories and You are loved by many sincere friends and family. Trust that.

By: Stacie

Stacie — Mon, 16 Feb 2009 12:20:38 +0000

I saw you on the RR show the other day, and I cried. You have amazing strength and I wish you all the best with raising your beautiful little girl.

Like Jenny from the show, I wish the technology had existed for something like this. I lost my mother when I was six to a car accident, which I was in as well. The difficulty in that is that I lost some of the few memories I had, and because of the pain, my dad never really talks about her.

Thank you for doing this for all the kids who have lost a parent before they could really know them. You are an inspiration!

By: Jessica

Jessica — Sun, 15 Feb 2009 23:49:39 +0000

I saw you guys on RR and you were awesome and maddy was beautiful I have been reading this blog since april and have watched maddy grow so big it was great to see her. I still have it on my DVR, I just can’t delete it.

By: TracyLEJ

TracyLEJ — Sat, 14 Feb 2009 16:02:16 +0000

Watched RR from our hotel room in Orlando…my husband is in awe of you and your strength. You and your story help him to appreciate me more. He tells me this often.
Maddy is such a beautiful baby and her smile just warms my heart! Loved seeing you guys on RR, but I coulld tell that you weren’t totally comfortable being there. So glad that you guys got to do that though! How Cool!!

By: Lisa from NC

Lisa from NC — Sat, 14 Feb 2009 06:13:00 +0000

Sorry to hear you had a rough half hour on that flight home, but I’m glad you survived it like the trooper you truly are. It was really neat that you met that nice man on the flight, and of course I’m dying of curiosity to know what it was that he decided he had to go do. I think I have some idea, but I’m still wondering! If it is, what I think it is, I bet your love for Liz and the life you shared together had something to do with it. I hope the outcome was what he wanted. How cool that he donated to the foundation also…it’s so great when you meet terrific people on your journeys.
I hope you’re doing okay….give Madeline a big squeeze from our family here in NC. My youngest daughter (4) thinks she is the most adorable baby EVER, and my older daughters think you’re an amazing photographer. My husband is impressed with you and your story and acts like we’re talking about an old friend when I mention your blog or that you were in People or on Rachael Ray. You’ve touched so many lives in so many different ways with your blog and your story, and even though we’ve never met, I know so many others will agree when I say that some of us feel like we know you on some level. At the very least, we’re rooting for you…we’re loving watching Madeline grow up, and we’re here crying with you and cheering for you.
much love, compassion and all the best to the two of you…..

By: sarah from the Central Coast

sarah from the Central Coast — Sat, 14 Feb 2009 05:46:36 +0000

Your life rolls on and I am so impressed with the leaps and bounds you have made over the last 10.5 months. I can’t believe it is getting closer to Maddy’s first birthday, but that also means it is closer to the anniversary of Liz’s death. Don’t know why they call it an anniversary…it is such a sad and gloomy day. Despite that…I digress…you have come so far. You have made a life for yourself and Madeline, and despite it not being what you would have hoped for, you have done what is best for your family without sacrificing what is good for Maddy. She has known her family and places that her mother has roamed…that is awesome! I cherish the time I spend with my husband and son and your story and words only help me appreciate the little things so much more.
I look back and think, damn, this guy has done so much and has been such a positive model for so many folks out there. Now, your impact is only getting stronger. I feel happy to have gotten to know you through your posts. I feel like I have known you forever, even though we have never met. I have been thinking of you as my husband plays a Billy Bragg & Wilco CD of remakes of Woody Guthry songs and the new Kings of Leon album. Some sad songs, but they warm the heart too. Hoping your music gets you through.
I love that your neighbor on the flight was so touched by your story (as we all our) and how generous he was….with both the booze and the donation to Liz’s foundation. You are touching so many lives! Thank you!