In August of 2018, a mother orca whale made news as she traveled the ocean with her dead calf in tow.
For 17 days, the bereaved mother whale named Tahlequah, or J35 by researchers, swam nudging her calf along in a journey of grief of over 1,000 miles.
The world marveled about this mother’s strenuous journey, surmised about why a whale would behave so curiously, and why the mother whale held on for so long. The calf had only lived for a few hours, but the impact on the world, and especially on its mother, was profound.
The loss of one’s young, whether a calf or child, is devastating for the entire family. Each journey of grief is different, and the survival of each journey for those left behind is truly in the hands of those in the community that surrounds them, to lift them up and nudge them along when they’re feeling unable to keep moving forward.
A new nonprofit coming to Maine hopes to provide help to those surviving child loss on their journey of grief. Madeline’s Mission seeks to provide a path toward wellness, healing and hope for families surviving child loss. No one ever wants to be in the child loss “club”, and those who find themselves in this club they never bargained for, can feel lost, alone, and scared. Madeline’s Mission works to offer hope, comfort and guidance during the unfathomable life following the loss of a child – both directly after the loss and in the lifetime to follow.
In the same way that a doula would help a mother through childbirth, Madeline’s Mission helps to serve as a navigational resource for parents, guardians, siblings and immediate families experiencing child loss. Child loss includes babies who never got to take their breath on Earth but are forever deeply rooted in the hearts of those who love them.
Madeline’s Mission is named in honor of Madeline Marzen, a four-year-old from Bath, Maine. A silly, sweet, loving child, Madeline spread joy to all who knew her. She was always quick to give a hug or share a silly song. She loved jumping in muddy puddles, balloons, the color red, playing with friends, attending preschool and snuggling. Most of all, she took great pride in being a big sister and loved her family, drawing them in pictures over and over. Just before her fourth birthday, she was diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumor, passing away suddenly two short months later. As her family and friends began to grieve the loss of this bright light, it became apparent the need to help fill in the gaps in care surrounding the loss of a child. In her memory, Madeline’s Mission was formed to help share the kindness Madeline spread throughout her short life – and help provide hope to families surviving child loss.
The nonprofit is in a soft-launch period, applying for 501c3 status and fundraising to begin providing services to support its ambition mission. Please learn more or consider a donation at madelinemission.org or email us at info@madelinemission.org.
Amie Marzen is a self-employed communications consultant passionate about working with nonprofit organizations and community-centered businesses. She is a wife and mother to two children, including an angel, Madeline. Inspired by her daughter, Amie advocates to preserve her daughter’s legacy of love and joy.
