We appreciate everyone that could make it yesterday, thank you... it a wonderful afternoon, great meeting a few new friends, seeing all of our peeps, and even seeing old friends/colleagues from back in my IBM days. There were also a couple of chordoma peeps here. They had more common variations of chordoma (versus 'pediatric' and yes, that's Madi in the front row in that clip). Nick is kind soul who wrote the letter to Madison that I posted here.
Link updated April 6. I learned that if people are not signed in to Dropbox, they may only see 15:00 minutes of the 19:15 minute video. I uploaded it to Google Drive too, link here if the one below cuts off at 15:00 (versus 19:15).
Our friend Bambi edited the music and added-on to the original video that she created for the September celebrations. I uploaded the revised video at this link, a very special gift, thanks again Bambi! The last several minutes are from the September gathering and the last minute is video of Madi at the church celebration at The Place back in September.
During the celebration yesterday Angela suggested we start the new video, but there were too many people here to try and gather everyone in one room to view it, so we just played it the one time for people who happened to be in the family room. Angela and I both circulated around the different congregations of family and friends inside and out, but there really wasn't a good time or place to rap a spoon on a wine glass and give a toast given there were so many people if different places in and outside. Laying in bed last night I kept pondering whether I should have tried to get 60-70 people in one spot to say a toast and to show the video. So, to our friends who know us well and Madison has heard it dozens of times: "there are big ships and there are little ships, but there are no ships like friendships". We love you.
Love,
Chris and Angela
Link updated April 6. I learned that if people are not signed in to Dropbox, they may only see 15:00 minutes of the 19:15 minute video. I uploaded it to Google Drive too, link here if the one below cuts off at 15:00 (versus 19:15).
Our friend Bambi edited the music and added-on to the original video that she created for the September celebrations. I uploaded the revised video at this link, a very special gift, thanks again Bambi! The last several minutes are from the September gathering and the last minute is video of Madi at the church celebration at The Place back in September.
During the celebration yesterday Angela suggested we start the new video, but there were too many people here to try and gather everyone in one room to view it, so we just played it the one time for people who happened to be in the family room. Angela and I both circulated around the different congregations of family and friends inside and out, but there really wasn't a good time or place to rap a spoon on a wine glass and give a toast given there were so many people if different places in and outside. Laying in bed last night I kept pondering whether I should have tried to get 60-70 people in one spot to say a toast and to show the video. So, to our friends who know us well and Madison has heard it dozens of times: "there are big ships and there are little ships, but there are no ships like friendships". We love you.
Love,
Chris and Angela
| Hi Madi, All things considered mom's and I are doing pretty okay. We miss you like crazy and there was great turnout yesterday to celebrate you... I think a bit more closure, perhaps for everyone. I think moms and I are doing better that most people think we might be. As I mentioned to Aunt Sara and Uncle Ricard today, we had years with you that most parents don't get. Had you been taken from us suddenly, we'd be a #$%^ mess. A reminder to embrace people you love, and say it often, live large and laugh. As you were aware I head back to Boston this week for the International Chordoma Community Conference. Just like the USC in 2015, MGH/Boston in 2016, and XMO this month, I'm best know as "Madi's dad" (versus Chris :) because of the profound impacts you had on people. What a proud badge to wear, thank you for that! Steven and Joni graciously printed and mounted these pics. Several people wrote things to you on the bottom one: I'll figure out how to bring that with me when we reunite. We all love and miss you Shug. Love, All of us |  |
P.S. I forgot to mention the award you received at XMO in Colorado, the John McRoy Vision of Faith Award for your extreme support of XMO... their vision and mission. You'd be proud: I was asked to accept this prestigious award on your behalf and almost made it through without tearing up.
Love,
Dad
P.S. I forgot to mention the award you received at XMO in Colorado, the John McRoy Vision of Faith Award for your extreme support of XMO... their vision and mission. You'd be proud: I was asked to accept this prestigious award on your behalf and almost made it through without tearing up.
Love,
Dad
