after a year
of near constant
travel, it was decided
that we should
take a break from
airplanes and celebrate
christmas at home
in los angeles.
that meant that
for the second time
in my life,
(and the first for maddy and brooke)
i spent a christmas
away from minnesota.
even though i dislike
the holiday, i really
do like being around
friends and family
during the holidays
and it was going to
be tough for all
of us to be away.
so we made sure we
kept ourselves very busy.
we played with
my records
we made cookies
for santa,
went on a hunt
for tamales
finally finding them,
and buying them
out of the back
of a woman’s
miniature van,
(they were fucking amazing).
also, both maddy
and i were sick
which sucked.
we made a trip
to the doctor
and learned that she
had two ear infections
and was close to pneumonia.
not awesome.
the good news
was that this
all got diagnosed
and medicine was prescribed
before everything
shut down for the holidays.
more importantly, it
was christmas eve
and she’d soon
be getting the
kind of medicine
that makes every sick
kid feel great…
presents.
we spent the evening
talking to
our families on skype and
maddy got to open
a few gifts…
her favorite of the
evening was the
doctor kit
(how apropos, eh?),
which she used
on me until
it was time for bed.
and as excited as
she was about her
presents, she was
even more excited to
have brooke open
up the gift she
picked out for her
(a rainbow-colored wallet).
after dictating a note
for santa,
and recording a
video for him
she tried her
best to sleep.
…
the next morning
she woke up to
a stocking full
of gifts and another
pile under the tree.
“this is so cool!”
“i love this!”
was all we heard
as she unwrapped
the gifts she
hoped santa would deliver
(yes, she got a baby dragon (stuffed animal) and a slingshot (that fires foam balls)).
as well as a bunch of
things she never
knew she wanted
(there were plenty of gifts that brooke and i bought so we could relive our own childhoods through her).
and then she stopped
interacting with us
altogether so she could
devote her full
attention to her
new toys.
…
we had seen our
families and opened
gifts, but it still
didn’t feel like
christmas, so i
decided that we should
fix that by
driving into the
mountains to find
some snow.
it seemed fruitless,
but fewer than
30 miles from
our house we found
what we were
looking for.
up at the top
we took in
the view
and played
in the snow
on the way down
we decided to load
some snow onto
the top of the car
and bring a little
back to our house.
we made a couple
of stops on the
way back down
before finally making
it home.
we had a nice
little pile of
snow in our front yard
and showed it
off to our families
back in minnesota
who informed us
that we had more snow
than they did.
i built maddy
the biggest snowperson
i could with
the snow we had
it was so fun
to watch maddy
get as excited about
the holiday as
her mom used to.
in years past
she was a bit
too young to do
more than just tear
through wrapping paper
and play with boxes
but this year
she knew what
she wanted, reported it
to everyone she talked to
and lost her shit
when santa granted
her requests.
watching her enjoy christmas
as much as she did
made me rethink
my hatred of the holiday.
…
finally, i wanted to remind folks that if you’re looking to help widowed families in need and are still looking for a tax deduction for 2011, you have until december 31st to make a donation to the liz logelin foundation.
as always, you can donate directly to the foundation by one of the following methods:
our website:
(network for good requires a $7 minimum donation)
our paypal account:
(no minimum)
or by mailing a check to postmarked no later than dec. 31st to:
the liz logelin foundation
po box 55426
saint louis park, mn 5542
(no minimum)
legal stuff:
the liz logelin foundation is a 501(c) 3 non-profit corporation.
all donations are tax deductible.
ein# 26-3994826 dln# 17053110001049
and if you’re not on our mailing list, here’s the text of the emails we’ve sent out appealing for year-end donations:
email #1:
Jordan’s Story:
Knowing You’re Not Alone
Last winter, Jordan’s daughter was born. In March, his wife died. In May, he read Matt’s book and discovered the Liz Logelin Foundation.
Jordan has a strong, local support network of family and friends – people who are, a winter later, still showing up to baby-sit and cook. People who encouraged him to set up a diaper fund, then contributed to the fund, then continued to do so, such that Jordan has never had to buy diapers for Sawyer, now eight months old. Because of these people, when Jordan discovered the Liz Logelin Foundation, he looked up the website. He clicked to the contributions page. He donated.
When I hear this, I am stunned. “But why?” I ask. “Donate? Why not apply?” Jordan keeps grounds, baseball diamonds in central Florida, and he can’t be a man of unlimited means. And if not for logistics, then there would at least be some comfort in the grant’s award, being acknowledged by an entity thousands of miles away.
“Because I am lucky,” Jordan tells me. “Complete strangers have helped me out. I wanted to do the same for someone else.”
In Matt’s book, Jordan found an eerie mirror of his own journey.
“I know it can’t be the same, but it felt that way,” he says. In that mutual experience, there was the comfort crossing thousands of miles.
Through the phone, I hear Sawyer, eight months old, squealing. Jordan laughs lightly and assures me we are hearing happiness. From her tiny, distinct voice, I realize then the Foundation is not so much an entity as it is a collection of individuals. Individuals who know when life follows an illogical course, an unexpected generosity can help us find a stranger on a common journey.
This holiday season let your generosity shine through. Make a donation in someone’s name as a holiday gift or in memory of someone you love. A donation of $25, $50, $100 or even $250 will make a profound impact on someone’s life.
Give to the Liz Logelin Foundation.
Thank you to everyone who has already taken the time to donate this holiday season.
If you haven’t yet, don’t wait – join Jordan and donate now.
(Jordan’s story was told by Kate Erickson who lives and writes in NYC).
email #2:
Waiting for Hope
Last summer, not long after Lee had moved into a small house in northern Minnesota, his new neighbor called across the shared fence.
Lee and the woman traded names and basic details, the pleasantries of young, suburban parents scouting playmates for their children. And then they discovered a similarity, an understanding each would have never wished in the other. Lee and his neighbor had both recently lost their spouses; each is learning to process their grief while raising children alone.
Lee, a meticulous meteorologist, can name the very specific ways his wife’s suicide has changed his experience of the world.
He speaks to more strangers, because he misses adult conversation.
When he is working through the night – while the babysitter is bathing his four year-old, the child sobbing through a fever – he cries looking at the photograph of his wife on his desk. Those particular tears come from fear, frustration, anger.
His work is by contract, freelance, so the loss of his wife’s income meant the loss of family health care and the accumulation of over ten thousand dollars in medical bills in the last year.
“I don’t want to win the lottery, but I worry about this winter’s heating bill,” Lee said. “You save the aces for the last part of the game, and I’ve pulled my aces.”
In the summer sun, Lee’s neighbor understood.
“Have you heard of The Liz Logelin Foundation?” she asked. Lee had not, and right there, over a fence in a pair of backyards, emerged the best reason for the LLF: reaching out of a similar tragedy, one can reveal a source of hope.
This holiday season change someone’s life. Give to the Liz Logelin Foundation. A donation of $25, $50, $100 or even $250 will make a profound impact on someone’s life.
51 Comments
looks like everyone had a lovely Christmas. I’m glad that seeing her joy kinda worked a little miracle within you.
That 2nd yo-yo picture made me laugh out loud in my empty apartment. It looks like it was about 2 feet too long. I’m glad you, Brooke and Madeline had a great Christmas despite being sick. Happy New Year to you all!
The Christmas season is my very favorite time of year. I’m glad that having Maddy has given you new appreciation for the time. It looks like you guys had a great day.
love all the pics. i’m happy you all had a great christmas despite being sick. hope you have a happy new year!
There is still no snow in Minnesota!
My kids enjoy Christmas, watching them enjoy and be grateful for things, but it doesn’t remove my hatred of Christmas. I just can’t help it, I just don’t like it.
Glad you guys had a great Christmas and that Maddy got her sling shot and baby dragon.
Hope you and Maddy are feeling better. Happy New Year!
Matt, you are AWESOME for putting your gorgeous daughter in a GREEN BAY PACKERS sweatshirt! Absolutely awesome!!!!!!
Melissa in WI
Glad you all had a great Christmas! *LOVE* that you brought snow back!!
Maddy is as adorable as ever. Hope you are both feeling better.
LITE BRITE!!!!! Yeeeeesssss!
A happy and blessed 2012 to you, Brooke, and Maddy!
Oh, gorgeous. Happy New Year. love you, Val
I’m reading your book this present time and i can tell you that i almost read it all in just a 2 days almost done. I’m so sorry that u had to live and still living with the lost of your beloved wife but u are a incredible dad to madeline, she’s very lucky she as u as a daddy. She’s very pretty, she looks like her mommy.
From Someone In New Brunswick Canada
Asalamu Alaykom,
Merry Christmas to Matt, Brooke, Maddy, and families,
Happy Hanukkah to Liz’s dad,
…and inshallah a Happy New Year!
You just couldn’t sit still for Christmas could you?! LOL! I marvel at your endurance to find the most you can in every situation. If the snow can’t come to Matt, Matt will come to the snow.
That is the miracle of holiday times when you are a parent: that you see the opporunity to give a special moment. It isn’t really the baby dragon or the slipshot per se but rather that Maddy was listened to and believed and gratified.
It is in that same vein that you created the LLF. It is hearing a grieving parent’s need, believing them and giving to them. That is the miracle which you continue throughout the year. May God reward and bless you and all the contributors for their thoughtfulness and generousity.
Glad to see that you have a new appreciation for the holiday, and the joy on Maddy’s face is all worth it! Sorry to hear that you and Maddy were both sick, but despite the illness, managed to have a great Xmas at home….and I LOVE the L.A. snowperson!!
I wish you, Maddy and Brooke a very happy 2012, and still hope you make it to Canada for a book signing/reading!! 
You continue to inspire many Matt…and you are doing an amazing job with that sweet little girl….I am sure Liz celebrated right along with the three of you 
Can’t you cut the string on the yo-yo and retie the finger loop?
Two thumbs up for the Packers sweatshirt! Also more snow than we have in southern WI.
You definitly get the Dad of the year award for that snowman!!!
Merry Christmas and nothing but happiness in 2012.
Thank you for the pictures of your Christmas. I enjoy watching little Madeline grow. I am so happy for you and Brooke. My wish for your family is a GREAT 2012!
Fantastic! Just had to comment “GO PACKERS!” Love the support for our fantastic team
Merry Christmas to you Matt, Brooke & Maddy. Love the snowman. I can’t believe how much Maddy has grown.
May you 3 have a wonderful 2012 year!!
ox
So happy you, Brooke and Maddy had a wonderful Christmas in LA…and you even had snow
May the New Year 2012 bring you all the best of health, much love and happiness.
Wisconsinite here, by way of IL, married to native MN dude. We still don’t have snow! Looks like you guys had a ton of fun. Love the picture of Maddy holding the LP cover in front of her face.
I love Maddy’s excitement. Charlotte was the same way this year and it was amazing to watch. Also, the fact that you went to find snow is fucking fantastic! Merry Christmas!
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! Don’t you love reliving your childhood through your “kid’s” toys? Just beware of stepping on those nasty little Lite Brite pieces. They also make great pretend splinters to remove with tweezers from a doctor’s kit. Glad you’re all feeling better. Your LA snowman is awesome! We were walking around Balboa Island this week and one of the winners of the home decorating contest had a really large snowman–wrapped in insulating blankets during the peak warm hours with a refrigerator/blower system built into the belly. Pretty cool. Next year, right?
I LOVE that Maddie is wearing a Green Bay Packers sweartshirt! GO PACK!
There’s nothing wrong with buying toys for Maddy that brings back happiness from your childhood. I’m sure she’ll have a great time with them. My grandmother wouldn’t buy my mom a Rock’em Sock’em Robot when she was little. I fixed that by ordering one for her.
I love the finger puppets! They are so cool.
It’s funny that this year was the first that we didn’t stay home. Wish we had contacted you because we were near LA a couple of times and then decided to celebrate Christmas at Joshua Tree. No traffic, no electricity, no cell service. Just a bunch of fantastic rocks to climb. It was the most memorable Christmas by far!
Happy New Year!
I really like that you mention Liz in this post, however briefly. Totally not trying to be a downer–I’m SO happy you’re so happy now with your new family and that you guys had such a happy Christmas–it just kind of makes me sad that no one really acknowledges her anymore. I really thought about her this year, when I watched my own daughter open her presents, thinking about how much Liz would’ve loved to watch Maddy open hers and bake with her and all that, especially since she loved the holidays so much. Also, how annoying it is that it was also the 25th of the month? Ugh, I just want to go back in time and hug her tight. :/
My wife introduced me to your blog today. What an inspiration, a gift really. Thanks to people like yourself who have opened up your whole life, I’ve recently decided to do the same thing from the perspective of a daddy. Thank you so much and I can only hope that someday my stories inspire someone to do the same. Bless you and your beautiful family.
I absolutely LOVE the fact that you built her a snowman in your front yard. How fun! What a great Christmas you had.
Glad you all had a wonderful Christmas. Wishing all of you a spectacular 2012
We miss hearing about Liz.
How on earth do those Minnesotans even allow that sweatshirt within 100 yards of Maddy???? Merry Christmas! Glad you all had a break and got to establish some of your own traditions — that’s just as important as making sure the old ones are followed, too.
“it was so fun to watch maddy get as excited about the holiday as her mom used to.”
I loved this.
I didn’t even know Liz, but Maddy reminds me so much of her just based on pics of the two of them. Liz always looks so radiant and vivacious in her pics, and Madeline looks the exact same, like they have the same personality. Happy New Year to you guys!
looks like you all had a fairly great christmas…..
I just wanted to share this with you. I nearly died well I guess you could say I did die on December 19. I went into respiratory failure and had to go through CPR. In the recent cpl weeks I have been in the hospital and home recovering I have been surfing the net more and doing this and that. I have followed you for a longggg time and tried several times to win a copy of your book. well since becoming sick I joined this survey group and was awarded a gift card to amazon and I was able to purchase a good used copy of your book. So I look forward to getting it in the next few days and spending my recovering time reading it.
I knew one way or another I would get it and when I was given the amazon giftcard I knew what I would be using it to purchase!!! yay
Happy New year to you all. Cant wait to see your lil girl grow more this year. She has really blossomed so far!
For someone who has been dealt a horrible blow, you have certainly seem to have been given a second chance at happiness. You have a beautiful daughter and a gorgeous girlfriend. I am saddened that you hate Christmas. It seems like there is magic in the air when you see a child’s eyes at Christmas. I think you have said before that you are not Christian (if I am wrong, please forgive me), but I wonder if you shared the story of Jesus’ birth with your precious daughter? You seem to want her to explore the world and open her eyes to the beauty of all that is out there, and I hope you will give her the chance to know about Jesus. I am sure I will be thoroughly reamed for even suggesting this, but I do hope you know it comes from a person with a heart full of love and I wish nothing but the absolute best for you and your precious family. Much love to you all in the new year.
Loved all the pics! Looks like you all had a nice Christmas. Maddie is adorable! However, what’s up with the Packers sweatshirt
Happy 2012
We love the zombie finger puppets, too! I often find our 3.5 year old duking it out in a battle of zombies versus pirates (from Oriental Trading Company, if you need them!).
Isn’t this a fun age during the holidays? Our son will be 4 in April and experiencing everything through his eyes was fantastic.
Hi Matt,
I just felt it was time to leave you a msg since I’ve been following your blog for a few years already.
On my Christmas wish list this year I placed your book. I got it!! I read it in 1 weekend, and loved it. I knew your story before hand, but I just wanted your book too. Anyway, it really moved me to read about the incredible love you and Liz had. When I was done reading your book I made a conscious decision to love with more intention and to make more of an effort to savour moment the with my family, instead of always rushing from one thing to another. Thank-you for that.
I wish you, Brooke and Maddy all the best. You deserve all the happiness and joy in the world.
And my goodness, is Maddy ever a cutie!!!
Joni
What an awesome Christmas! Wishing you, Brooke and Maddy a wonderful 2012!
Tamales:)…and u got from a women selling’em from her van..the best:p
Love that you call it a “snow person” and not snowman
And Lite Brite? YES.
A friend of mine was telling me about your story so I looked up your blog and read the whole thing. I just wanted to say that I think you are a pretty amazing Daddy, I have two girls and I know how difficult it can be at times but I also had a husband to help me out. Great job raising Maddy, she seems like a very strong and independent little girl
LOVE the Packers sweatshirt Maddy was wearing in some of the pics
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
Maddy looks so much like her mama, but as she gets bigger, the glimpses of you I have always seen in her get bigger, too! She’s beautiful. I hope the three of you had a wonderful holiday season!
We are in NE Ohio, and we still have hardly seen any snow…it was 50 degrees here today!
Blessings to you in all you do…the whole year through.
Megan in Ohio
Happy New year to you and yours–
I met you very very briefly at an event held by my MOMS club , where you handed me a pamphlet about the foundation… I remember being in my own toddler haze that day, just so wiped out…
Went home and looked it up and WOW. You have no idea the impact you and your story can have on somebody, even a stranger who has never had to deal with the same challenges.
I am a mom of a 2 year old, and I think after reading your blog, and your book, the detail that still hits me personally with such an intense sadness (and I don’t know why I’m fixated on this)…is that Liz didn’t even get to hold her baby. It kills me. And I’ve never looked at holding my own child the same since. Actually, I haven’t looked at a lot of things the same since reading your story. I think it was perspective that I needed.
Thank you for being brave enough to open up and share your life; it really does take a brave person to be so vulnerable. You are an amazing man and father, and I truly do wish you and your family the best.
-D.
p.s. Thank you for the playlists, too. I am a fellow music freak/ Indie lover, and giggled when you made fun of Liz’s taste in music, because I have done the same with my own spouse (Britney Spears? WTF?
I had not looked at your website for a while and I am just in awe of how beautiful Maddie is. I have so enjoyed looking at pictures and catching up with her development. What a wonderful job you have done as Daddy. Liz would certainly be very proud of what you have accomplished! God Bless You both!!
Hi matt hope you are well I am glad you all had a good holiday I sent you an email about a month ago now did you recieve it? did maddy have a good Christmas?
Good to see Maddy in a Packers hoodie. Just sayin’.
Maddy sure has grown. She’s a regular little girl now. Thanks for the pictures.
My daughter, now 12, has always had a fascination with dragons. When she was a little younger than Maddy I asked her what she wanted to be when she grew up… she said a dragon. She has a collection of stuffed dragons and has a notebook where she draws and names more dragons. I think it’s the coolest thing!