FEBRUARY 14, 2013
Dear Madeline Grace,
Grandma
and Grandpa asked us to write a letter to you about your name sake and what we
hope you will emulate from her. This is
an awesome opportunity for me to write to you about your beautiful name. Ever since Aunt Madeline passed away I have
wanted to name a daughter after her. She was such an amazing person that I
wanted my daughter to have that example in her life. When I found out you were
a girl I was so excited. Dad says I always had Madeline Grace as your name cemented in my head but I did entertain
other names like Adelaide, Lucy, Olivia and Gabriela. I was worried that your
aunts and uncles might be upset if I used it for many reasons… However
I was listening to the October
conference and heard a talk about how challenging the times are and how strong teenagers must be. I felt the spirit
strong that you being our first child and the first granddaughter, you needed to be so strong to lead your brothers
and sisters and cousins. I felt like giving you Madeline’s name could serve as
an example of strength you could follow.
I hope you do. I hope you can turn to her journals and to her life when
times are difficult. We decided that
your middle name should be Grace because through the grace of God you were
brought into our lives. We had a difficult time getting you here and know that
we were able to have you only through prayers and supplication to our Father in
Heaven who lovingly blessed us with you. We are so grateful to have you in our
lives. You bring us so much joy!
Today is your very first Valentine’s
Day! Valentine’s Day is a very special day for our family. It is a day of love,
joy and beauty throughout the world but
has a more significant meaning for us.
Eight years ago on this very day your beautiful aunt Madeline Lee, just sixteen
years of age, passed away. She chose a
very appropriate day because it is one of love, joy and beauty; the very three
words that come to my mind when I think of Madeline. She respected, shared and
glowed love, joy and beauty in
all aspects of her life. I hope you can
find and share these three things in the aspects of your life as well.
Madeline
was very beautiful and did many beautiful things. I don’t want you to ever feel
like you need to look like her or have the same interests as her. She was a
beautiful dancer, a beautiful creator, a beautiful singer and writer. I didn’t
name you Madeline to be her clone. You might have a more scientific brain like
your father, or be interested in anything. I want you to be you. Just find joy, beauty and love in whatever you do
! I hope you emulate some of Madeline’s characteristics and attributes that she
worked on and developed. These are much more important than her interests.
Madeline found joy, love and beauty
in everything. One way we know this is through her journal writing. She was
diligent in keeping a journal especially
during the last year of her life. Journal writing wasn’t a chore to her but she
found joy in writing her thoughts, feelings and testimony to us. Her journals
are a beautiful gift to us. We cherish them and feel her close as we read them.
I hope that you will follow Madeline’s example and find joy in keeping your
journal.
Madeline
found beauty in everyone. She was very inclusive and often fought for the
underdog. She is a good loyal and loving friend. She found
joy and love in making others feel they were special. This is also evident in
how many people prayed and mourned for her during her passing. She also is just
a joy to be around. She was so fun! One of my last memories with Madeline was a
family trip to a playoff game for the U. Madeline and I laughed and laughed
that trip, I don’t even remember why. I hope you can follow Madeline’s example
of finding joy, love and beauty in others.
Madeline
found joy and beauty in overcoming obstacles. She is
stubborn and determined. As a little girl she made her mind up to stop sucking
her finger and just simply stopped. She was a middle child and often would
scream to get her point out. One day she decided she wasn’t going to do that
anymore and she simply didn’t. I hope
you can also find joy and beauty in overcoming obstacles.
Madeline
found joy, love and beauty in spending time with family. She often
chose to stay home and be with family rather than be with friends. She
understood that family is eternal and relished those relationships. We all feel
like her close friend. I hope you will understand the importance of family and
always find joy in spending your time with all of us.
Madeline
found joy, love and beauty in serving others. I think she gave her
hair to locks of love twice. She was always up to some kind of good for others.
For this reason I try to do something of service each Valentine’s in
remembrance of her. From having my first graders sing songs to Old Folks to
serving in the temple. I hope you can find joy in serving other as well.
Above
all is that Madeline’s light of joy love and beauty helps others know Christ.
This to me is the most important characteristic Madeline has and that I hope
you can have as well. She has a very strong testimony of the Savior. She knows
he lives, knows he died for us and suffered for our sins and pains and has a personal relationship with him. All
of Madeline’s good qualities pointed to this. Her testimony was so strong for
her age. Madeline lived in a way in
which she emulated the Savior, making good choices because of what she believed.
But even in death she continues to bring others
closer to the Savior. Here on earth through the remembrance of how she
lived and her testimony and in the next life as a missionary. Dad blessed you in your blessing that you
will have this ability like your name sake.
I hope you will always turn to her example in times of doubt.
Madeline
Grace, I hope you will find strength in your name. I hope you will find joy,
love and beauty in all aspects of your life. I hope you will become a journal
writer, become a loyal and loving friend, overcome obstacles, spend time with
family, serve others and help others know Christ. I love you very much!
Love,
Mom
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