“Amazing Life of an Amazing Girl”

                                                 Madison Mey Falgout

                                        June 20, 1999 – August 26, 2005

I would like to thank each of you here today for sharing in the life of Madison Falgout. I would like to share with you a portion of Madison’s story. I say “portion” because as we all know, Madison’s life is truly never over. She lives on in a piece of each and every one of us.

Madison’s birth was an eagerly anticipated day. She was both a first child and grandchild, born on Father’s Day, June 20, 1999. Everyone celebrated in joy, the miracle of life. Little did we all realize just how big this miracle would actually be. Enthusiastically, the family enjoyed holding Madison, rocking her and dressing her up like a baby doll. Every grin and coo were milestones celebrated.

Madison’s life took a drastic unexpected turn at the tender age of nine weeks. For many this experience would have marked a devastating end, but for this family it marked just the beginning. The beginning of not only a new set of obstacles, but a road of life lessons and lives to be touched.

God has an amazing ability to take the bad and use it for His good. Sometimes, God sends his children in the most unique packages. From His son, Jesus, to little Miss Madison, both sent in less than glamorous and desirable ways. Yet, then again, God takes the least expected and uses it for His glory.

Madison was a little girl with a big purpose. I am convinced that she accomplished more in her short six years than many of will accomplish in a lifetime.

She was a role model of courage, strength, love and endurance. She faced life with dignity and determination. When faced with surmountable odds, Madison’s loved ones learned not to expect the obvious. Madison lived life by her own manual. She never ceased to amaze any of us. She embraced life with grace and poise. To know her was to love her. To love her was to learn from her. A precious little girl that made no audible sound, but had the amazing ability to speak volumes to your heart. She could make you laugh and make you cry. Sometimes she managed to both at the very same time.

Madison had her sweet moments when she blew you kisses and held her arms high in anticipation of being cuddled. Madison had her comical moments when she would hold her lips squeezed tight, turn her head and refuse to budge. Then there were Madison’s blissful moments… moments that for no apparent reason, she held her eyes open wide and smiled intensely, lighting up the room.

The sounds of birds singing, the sun rays beaming or a kind word and snuggle were a sure way of bringing Madison joy. She had an appreciation for the simple pleasures in life. Things many of us often take for granted.

Madison had the most magnetic of personalities. She possessed a peace that drew you to her. Rarely did you see her without someone loving on her. Her Mommy and Nanna were always hugging her, brothers Noah and Joey were often crawling up onto her lap to “spend time with Sissy”. Even Penny, the family dog would jump up into her bed to snuggle up with her. I often felt as if I needed to take a number to spend time with her.

Madison had a phenomenal gift of expressing love. Love is intended to be given, it cannot be stored. 1Corinthians 13:8 – “Love never fails.” Nothing satisfies the human heart like love does.

The biggest blessing in Madison’s life was her family. One of their most remarkable traits is how conscientious they are to give Madison no less than the very best. They have faced fear, death, financial strains, and hospitalizations. Through it all, they always focused on what was ultimately important- God, family, love and quality time. To take what was given to them and do the very best with it.

Symbolically, they remind me of a story I once read about a little boy that was deathly allergic to bees. He and his mother were driving down the road. The little boy became frantic when he noticed a bee flying around inside the car. The mother calmly assured him that everything was going to be alright. As the bee came into her sight, she simply reached up and grabbed the bee and she held it in her hand, taking the sting for her son to be spared. Due to Madison’s health issues, life could have been filled with “stings”,  but her family ensured she endure as little as possible.

It is hard to let go, but Madison is whole again as she was the day she was born. She is running, dancing, laughing and playing. It excites me just picturing it in my mind. For every moment we want to hold Madison here is one less moment she would have joy in heaven. We often think of ourselves as living in the land of  the living when actually we are living in a dying world. Madison is in a much more permanent and eternal world.

God does not measure time as we do. He measures ones success’ not in terms of longevity, but rather as fulfillment of ones God given purpose in life. Ultimately Madison’s goal and objective in life was heaven. She has reached her goal.

We all belong to Christ as children of God. Our loved ones are never truly ours, they are only here with us for a little while on loan.

Children are amazing human beings. Often they seem to handle life far better than adults. I often wonder what was going on in Madison’s thoughts. I once heard a motivational speaker give this analogy.

There was a little girl preparing to die. Though she was young, she understood what was happening to her. She asked her father, “ Daddy, what is it like when you die?” He responded, “do you remember the number of times that you have fallen asleep rocking in my arms and the next morning you would awaken in your bed?” She replied, “ yes, I remember” Her daddy said, “that is what it is like for one of God’s children to die. You simply go to sleep here and then you awaken and you are with Jesus. Only you will be in His loving arms, not ours. But His arms are longer and stronger and far more loving than ours could ever be. “

Proverbs 16:4- “The Lord has made everything for His own purpose”. No one is placed in our lives by accident. It is our responsibility to learn from those and bless others in the example that is set for us.

Let Madison’s spirit of endurance and love become a challenge to each of us spiritually. The greatest compliment we could ever give Madison is to bless others as she has blessed us.

For those that loved Madison, thank you. And for those whose lives are changed forever, Madison thanks you.

Written by Jody Wilson in memory of Madison. October 7, 2005