Sweet Angel Madalyn

Sweet little angel Madalyn

Mom & Dad saying goodbye

Her loving family saying goodbye

While our trip to Utah was filled with lots of fun and laughter, there was one event that caused us to shed a tear. Last summer while we were in Utah, my cousin's little girl, Madalyn was diagnosed with a rare type of brain cancer. She has been fighting this disease for the past year with monthly stays in the hospital for chemo and radiation. She has been such a brave little girl through all of her treatments. In June she had an MRI that showed the tumor was completely gone, and everyone was so happy. A week later, things just didn't seem to be going well and Madalyn ended up having a shunt put in. Unfortunately the shunt didn't make much of a difference and some tests showed that the cancer cells were all throughout her spinal fluid and brain. Madalyn was given a week to two weeks to live. On July 14th, Madalyn passed away in the arms of her mother surrounded by her loving family. The funeral was beautiful and there wasn't a dry eye in the chapel. Trish, Madalyn's mother gave a beautiful tribute to her sweet little girl. I was so grateful that I was able to attend the funeral. I had to leave Jon's family reunion and drive 3 1/2 hours each way to attend, but it was well worth it. The streets from their home to the church and then to the cemetary were lined with pink, purple and white balloons. Our hearts and prayers go out to Trish and Terell and their family during this tough time. They are at peace knowing that Madalyn is no longer in pain or suffering and with their knowledge of the gospel they know they will be with Madalyn again someday. I am truly grateful for the blessing of the gospel in my life, without it experiences like this would be so hard to accept and understand. I know that Madalyn will be with her family someday and until then, she is in heaven with her great grandparents watching over her family. She's their guardian angel now.