Last Wednesday, July 2nd, Mac was laid to rest. It was a very emotional day for everyone involved-- especially Josh and Cali. Prior to the grave side service, our families had the chance to spend one last time with little Mac. He looked so peaceful and absolutely beautiful! Cali had the special privilege of dressing him in his little white outfit before his precious body was placed in his little casket. The grave side service was unforgettable and was attended by hundreds of people, many of which did not know Josh and Cali but had been touched by their story. The service ended with the beautiful release of hundreds of red, orange, and yellow balloons. I will hold off on sharing more of the details here because they will be posted shortly on
Mac's blog in addition to a video slideshow of funeral pictures I'm still in the process of gathering.
The amount of love and support Josh and Cali have received through this experience has been overwhelming! The prayers, emails, comments, financial donation's, cards, letters, gifts, visitors, meals, phone calls, and flowers have meant more to them than you will ever know. Thank you for your thoughtfulness, love, and generosity. ~Erin
Last Wednesday, July 2nd, Mac was laid to rest. It was a very emotional day for everyone involved-- especially Josh and Cali. Prior to the grave side service, our families had the chance to spend one last time with little Mac. He looked so peaceful and absolutely beautiful! Cali had the special privilege of dressing him in his little white outfit before his precious body was placed in his little casket. The grave side service was unforgettable and was attended by hundreds of people, many of which did not know Josh and Cali but had been touched by their story. The service ended with the beautiful release of hundreds of red, orange, and yellow balloons. I will hold off on sharing more of the details here because they will be posted shortly on Mac's blog in addition to a video slideshow of funeral pictures I'm still in the process of gathering.
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11 comments:
I really hope you don't mind me commenting on your blog. My heart is just aching for you and your family! I'm so sorry! I'm sorry that anyone has to experience such a loss! What a blessing it is to have a wonderful, loving, supportive family- especially in times like these- and to also have a clear knowledge of the Gospel to help you get through. You and your families are in our prayers.
I hope you don't mind me commenting either.... We are friends of the Madsens, and we've followed your story and grieved with you...and we don't even know you personally. We feel a very strong love and admiration for you guys and your perfect little baby Mac. Thank you for sharing your story with so many. You'll never know how many people that little boy touched..... Your faith has been an example to us all. You've been in our thoughts and prayers....and will continue to be. Much love.....
Hey guys, I am just sending a little blog love! I hope to see you soon, and hope things are going well and are getting easier to bear.
Heather Hinckley
Josh and Cali,
I just wanted you to know that you have been in our thoughts and prayers. You guys have been an amazing example in mine and Torrey's lives.
Andrea and Torrey
I know that Josh and Cali are handling this well. But, it is okay to cry. It is okay to "not handle it well" for a while. Be sure to let them know that they don't have to be strong all of the time. Pull the pressue off and let them feel.
We love you so much.
Love you guys!!
Josh and Cali we love you so much and we are always here for you and think of you daily. Love you guys so much, Aubree and Josh
Josh and Cali, I hope it is ok I am writing here. Rand told me what happened, and I just wanted to make sure and let you know you are in my family's prayers. You are a great example of courage and faith. May God bless you and your family. Nick and Stef
I too am a mother of a stillborn. This blog just brought back every single feeling of that day in our lives when we lost our little Faith. I love this idea, and I think I will do it for us. Please know...I know what you are going through... and it does get easier! There isn't a day that goes by that you don't think about your sweet baby, but you do heal and it becomes something absolutely wonderful to talk about to others. I always felt from the second I found out that Faith wasn't alive anymore that I was going through this experience to not only learn of the Atonement of our Savior, but to also be there to help others when they go through hard times. It is such an amazing experience, and as sad as it was, I was so grateful for it. It makes you so grateful that you have the gospel in your lives, imagine not having that. It not only brought our family closer, but it made me cherish my babies after. Your next pregnancy will be very hard, and you will wonder the entire time, but go to your Dr. and ask for tests and ultrasounds. It will bring so much comfort. I am so sorry for your loss, I truly understand. Just know that many prayers are being offered on your behalf. I would love to email back and forth, if you are willing. I would love to hear your story from your words. I would love to talk with you, we have something in common that is so hard, but so wonderful. We both have perfect babies! Please email me, littlethomasfamily@msn.com.
You should contact Robert Silver at U of U hospital once you get the autopsy information back, he will be able to go over it with you word for word and explain it all. When the time comes and you choose to get pregnant again, he is also doing a study on mom's like us, you should contact him about that as well. In due time. He will really be able to close a door, and give you answers, when you are ready.
Please email me, I would love to talk with you.
You don't know me, but I just wanted to tell you how much your faith in Heavenly Father's Plan has touched me and my husband. You both are an amazing example to each and every one of us. Baby Mac is so lucky to have come to a family with such a great understanding of the gospel and strength to be going through what you are going through. He is perfect! He always will be perfect! I had some dear friends that also lost a baby. Your story has touched them as well. Mac is a little missionary. Thank you for sharing your experience and your little boy with all of us. You are in our prayers and will continue to be such an example to us!
I am yet another stranger to you. My very best friend went thru something very similar to you. She lost her little girl at 35 weeks. I read thru Mac's blog and my heart and prayers are with you at this time.
This is a little bit random but when my friend lost her little baby I painted a picture for her from a picture that she had from the hospital. I would be honored to do the same for you. I know memories and pictures from experiences like this are so valuable. If you go to PictureToPortrait.blogspot.com, go to the Oil Painting Gallery, then scroll down until you see the picture of the hands. That is the picture of my best friend and her husband holding their little girl's hand.
If you would like something like this, like I said, I would be honored to do it for you free of charge.
Again, my prayers are with you at this time.
Let me know if you would like me to do a painting for you.
Take care,
Arian Hatch
airjordan04@cox.net
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