Madison Mecum was a special, bright young girl who brought sunshine into our home every Monday for a couple of years. We've known her longer of course, but more than a baby-sitter for our three small children, or my voice student for a short time, Madison was an important presence in our family. As a new mom with 3 small children born within a 4 year time frame, I needed someone like Madison in my life. As her mother before her, Madison became a friend, confidant, and support to me.
Just as Madison was getting to baby-sitting age, she would come over after school, or in the mid-morning during summertime, just to be with me and my 3 kids. She'd help with anything she saw I needed, but mostly gave my 3 kids the attention and playtime they needed so I could finally get to housework, or a nap, or a project, or anything else that I might have been setting aside throughout the previous week. But during her visits she and I became quite close.
We shared stories with one another about the current activities we were each involved in. She show me her music or dance steps for choir or plays. We talked gymnastics, volleyball, and softball. We laughed and marveled together at the funny or amazing things the kids did. I taught her how to put a diaper on correctly, tricks to get kids to eat, and how to get a screaming baby calmed down. She became quite the pro-babysitter after about a year of these afternoons at my house. And I became a much calmer and less stressed mom.
I looked forward to Madi Mondays as much as my kids. Many times I would feel a sense of relief just knowing Monday was around the corner. She helped me to not feel so overwhelmed or alone in this very hard job I'd created for myself by having my children so close together. My husband loved and took great joy in coming home on Mondays to see her smiling, cheerful self, bouncing one of our kids on her hip and keeping me company while I finished making dinner for our family. Dinners Madi would stay and enjoy with us some of the evenings her mom was busy training for her new job. My 4 year old thought for the longest time that Madi was her big sister and my 2 year old would always shout Madi's name loud and clear when asked who her best friend was. Even my little 1 year old would hear Madison's voice, as she walked in the house, and come barreling around the kitchen corner to run into her arms.
Madison would sometimes take our kids down to the elementary school playground on some of the early evenings she would baby-sit for us. That playground was quickly dubbed Madi's Park by my 2 and 4 year old. As we drove by the playground yesterday, like we do on every trip to the store, I had to hold back my tears as they habitually shouted out that there's Madi's Park! Mom! Look it's Madi's Park!
I'm feeling blessed that my kids are young enough that their innocence isn't tainted or confused by death. To them it's simple. Madi lived on earth and now her body doesn't work, so her spirit lives in Heaven with Heavenly Father and Madi's dad. We explained that we won't get to see Madison for a very long time, but that we can see her again when our bodies don't work anymore and we go to live in Heaven too. For them, that's good enough.
How I wish I could remember more frequently when the pain creeps up on me, that it REALLY is that simple. I'm grateful to know that God is real. That there is a purpose for this life on earth, but that this life is not the end. I'm thankful to know that by making covenants and keeping true to them, I seal my spirit to my family and to my God.
"I belong to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I know who I am. I know God's plan. I'll follow Him in Faith." Madison exemplified this everyday of her life. Something she learned from the time she had with her father, the teachings of her amazing mother, and the love from her sweet sister and extended family as well. I'm grateful for the impeccable example Madison was able to be in the very impressionable early years of my own two daughters' life.
I can't even begin to say how glad I am that after her last Monday afternoon with us, just 2 weeks ago, I told Madison as she was leaving, how much she means to our family. I'm grateful I'll never have to wonder whether she knew it or not. I know more now than I did then even, how important it is to share the love we have in our hearts for people, with those people. Our love and admiration for Madison will never fade.
