forever fourteen: maddie’s photo on my fridge and the journey of life

maddie's photo is a reflection of love, of the life she lived, and the joy she brought to everyone who knew her.

by chris coulter

published dec 17, 2024

last updated dec 18, 2024

2 minute read

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2 minute read

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i walk past my fridge dozens of times a day, something i’ve always done without a second thought. on its surface are the snapshots of life: school photos of my kids, their cousins, and the children of friends. they capture the passing years, the growth, the changes. but one photo will always remain the same: maddie’s grade 8 graduation picture.

that photo is more than a picture; it’s a moment frozen in time. maddie, with her braces, her bright, smiling eyes, wearing her school blazer and a loosened necktie. full of life. full of potential. the fridge, in many ways, has become a metaphor for life’s journey. its struggles, its accomplishments, and its fragility.

i often stop in front of the fridge, my eyes drawn to maddie’s picture. there are other photos of her around the house. my home isn’t a shrine, but her presence is unmistakable. she will always be a part of our family, a reminder of how precious and unpredictable life can be.

the photos on the fridge change as the kids grow, each new snapshot reflecting their latest milestones. zac has graduated from university and will be returning from over two months of traveling across europe, immersing himself in new cultures and experiences before stepping into his first “real” job. meanwhile, sawyer is thriving in his own journey, midway through his second year at university in halifax.

yet maddie remains forever frozen in time; a 14-year-old schoolgirl with a radiant smile, her photo permanently displayed on my fridge. while her image hasn’t aged, her legacy continues to grow, touching lives in ways i never could have imagined.

i’m deeply proud of my boys for the way they’ve carried maddie’s light forward. both zac and sawyer have become passionate mental health advocates, honoring their big sister’s memory by helping others. nearly 10 years after her passing, maddie’s influence endures through them—a testament to the powerful love and connection that continues to shape our lives.

the years will keep moving forward. the photos on the fridge will change: graduations, weddings, grandchildren. life will continue to grow and evolve. but maddie’s place on the fridge will always remain, a constant reminder of her beautiful spirit, frozen in time as a fourteen-year-old girl with braces and a radiant smile.

her photo is a reflection of love, of the life she lived, and the joy she brought to everyone who knew her. it’s a reminder that while life moves on, some moments stay with us forever. and for that, i am grateful.

this article was originally published in december 2024.