Maeve was a little girl who was born to be a big sister. As soon as she was able to toddle around the house, Maeve was bringing the family dog her favorite books to read and making sure he had everything that he ‘needed’. Shortly after Maeve’s second birthday, her little brother was born, and Maeve was truly in her element. She adored Declan and wanted to share everything with him. Baby Declan loved being a part of the ‘Maeve show’ as her mama, Tarah, described it. Declan would grin as his big sister laughed and danced around him. Life was good.
Then, one day, that perfect life was destroyed. The little family was on a flight to DC. The flight had been delayed, so by the time the plane landed, Maeve had fallen asleep on her dada’s lap. Tarah’s husband tried to rouse her, and could not. Maeve was no longer breathing. He let out a scream, and both parents immediately started CPR.
Their perfectly healthy 3-year-old daughter had died for no apparent reason while sleeping on her father’s lap. Her official cause of death was Sudden Unexplained Death of Childhood (SUDC). Their world was shattered.
Tarah first wrote to me less than two months after Maeve’s death. She shared her story and asked to be connected to another mom whose daughter died of SUDC. Over the almost two years since that first email, Tarah has continued to email with family updates, show ideas, and eventually, about Maeve’s Foundation, the charity that Tarah and her husband started in Maeve’s memory.
Initially, Tarah just wanted to collect enough money to buy a bench as a dedication to Maeve. Then, that idea grew into sponsoring a memorial garden in Maeve’s memory. As more people contributed to the foundation, Tarah knew they needed to grow.
The organization now has a new mission – Maeve’s Wish. Maeve’s Wish is working to provide ‘a truly magical respite for children battling a chronic or terminal illness – a trip to Walt Disney World.’ Just as Maeve wanted to make her family dog and baby brother happy, she will help make precious family memories for others. We’re pretty sure she will be laughing and dancing as she watches from heaven.
I have been listening to this podcast since a friend of mine lost her 16year old daughter in January 2019. She was like my niece, and also had a special connection in that we were both Gemini Goats… star sign and Chinese animal.
I have not been touched more than by your story of Maeve. The amount of times we have travelled on flights in Australia, from Victoria to Qld where my family lives. Both my children have travelled with us since they were weeks old. So imagining this was incredibly emotional and visceral. I can see Maeve dancing in my mind. I have looked at her photo. That beautiful, precious little human. I will keep you in my thoughts Tarah, and your family. And of course little Maeve. I am sure you will see her in the Cardinals, and feel her in the breeze on your face. I am a believer. And I do feel human energy comes through in birds. Olympia is the name of the 16 year old we lost. Her father had the most extraordinary experience of a Pardalote who landed on his hand, flew around his head and would not leave him. They are a native Australian bird and are usually very timid and don’t come near people. Her Dad is a very spiritual person… and he didn’t have to convince me.
We have lost many children in our friend group. Olympia from missed Bacterial Meningitis, Zoe, 14, asthma attack, Jake and another young woman from accidental overdoses, Tom, 24 from drowning. Never would any of us have imagined this would be our lives as parents… losing children. Unfortunately my own daughter has attempted suicide a few times, and now has a very serious addiction to drugs. We almost lost her in 2023 after an overdose when she spent 8 days in a coma. The world is not what it used to be. I sometimes wonder whether a similar podcast in Australia would be beneficial for those here who have lost children. Your podcast has certainly helped me.
So thanks Marcy. I’m sure Andy would be proud of you.
Take care
Adrienne