Met Matt and Madeline Logelin today

[pegkerr]

I've mentioned Matt Logelin's blog (mattlogelin) a couple of times, the new father who lost his wife to a pulmonary embolism the day after their daughter was born. Matt and Liz were originally from this area, although they have been living in Los Angeles.

Matt recently came to town, partly to visit family, and partly for a family wedding. Since so many people have been following his blog locally (there was an article in the local paper) his wife's parents very graciously opened up their home for a get together so people could come to spend the day with Matt on his first Father's Day, including people who "met" Matt through the blog.

I went, and met Matt and his family. They were incredibly gracious, and were very warm about welcoming a bunch of people who were essentially strangers, but who have been touched by Matt and Madeline's story. I talked with Matt for quite awhile, telling him a little about what I've learned blogging about my own family life. "When you have a gift for writing, and you love your children," I told him, "what can happen is that people all over the world fall a little bit in love with your children, too. It can be incredibly supportive. But you will have to eventually figure out where your own boundaries are. And those boundaries gradually change, too, as your kids grow older."

"When you post about a problem you are having, since your reader have come to care about you and your kids, you may find yourself getting flooded with advice. I've had to learn when to say, "I'm not asking for advice; I'm just venting." I talked with Matt and Liz's parents, too, and felt extremely fortunate to have the opportunity to talk with them.

Madeline is certainly a cutie, and it's evident that she and her daddy are in the middle of a very supportive family. I came away with very warm feelings, and I will continue to watch their family adventure as they map out this new life for themselves--very bittersweet, but definitely a good life, too.

Some pictures from the gathering:





Madeline with her grandma (Matt's mom):

Comments

[mkaout.livejournal.com]

I wanted so desperately to go to the m&m get together today...
I had the contact/map and the full nine...

but after camping this weekend, both my daughter and I were sick (snot, cough, sore throats, sneezing...) and I thought better of it.

Still. TO have stopped by and given (or hell, RECEIVED, a hug...for the gift of Matt's blog has been life-changing...)

anyway.

I live about 4 miles away from Liz's parents.
And as I struggled throughout the afternoon with whether or not I should attend, I thought of you, for it was the Strib article that sparked interest in Matt's blog, but your blog that has gently reminded and has convinced me to bookmark and check it daily.

And then I thought of your recent post about you not being interesting.

And then I noticed with your recent pictures a day meme that your 1st photo was of your desk at home... with a screen of Maddie on it.

And I thought that at some point I would tell you the following.

I didn't realize it would be today. But, after reading your post of meeting Matt...

You are interesting. Your family is interesting. In fact, as you wonder where your life has taken you, I suspect you are thinking of it in terms of writing and your occupation. But you reach way beyond the boarders of those simple definitions.

And I know you know better than to define yourself in terms of occupation and writer. In fact, even as you were writing, crafting, editing, publishing, you still were able to understand your priorities...

Your family. Your children. Your health. Your marriage.

THOSE are your legacies.

And I, for one, draw strength from you.

I have managed arguments with my husband better because of you.
I have seen my daughter in a more radiant light because of you.
I have sought and received encouragement from you.
I have enforced the "please stop" rule in our house, (which I might not have thought of on my own), because of you.

Yours is the 1st blog (out of a mere 3, Matt's included) that I check daily.

Interesting? yes.
Inspiring? Absolutely.

Thanks, Peg.

[pegkerr.livejournal.com]

Saying "thank you" to a comment like this seems just inadequate. This was quite a powerful affirmation to discover at 5:40 a.m., first thing after waking up. I'm touched and humbled that you see my journal this way.

This is exactly the sort of thing I had in mind when I told Matt, "your blog will give you more support than you ever dreamed it could."

[pegkerr.livejournal.com]

By the way, I'm so sorry you missed the party. BUT Matt and Madeline will be in town until the 24th. If you get better before then and email him, perhaps he might be able to suggest a time he could meet with you? You did make the right and considerate decision not to go, but I'm sure it must have been terribly frustrating!

[aome.livejournal.com]

I hope knowing all these strangers care about him is helping him get through the days.

[aeditimi.livejournal.com]

That is so wonderful! I've been following his blog since you recommended it, and I think it's great of his family to open their home and their time together like that.