Two Kisses for Maddy: A Memoir of Loss and Love by Matthew Logelin is a heart-breaking memoir about a couple who seemingly had it all—great jobs, a new home, a loving marriage, and a baby on the way–but then, Logelin’s wife, Liz, had a rough pregnancy. After five weeks of bed-rest, she delivered a premature, but healthy, baby named Madeline. A mere 27 hours later, Liz died of a pulmonary embolism before ever holding her daughter. Logelin persevered through his grief and unpreparedness to make the best life he could for Madeline. The title poignantly refers to Logelin’s nightly routine where he kisses the tips of his fingers twice and touches Madeline’s forehead symbolizing, “One kiss from me, and one from your mother. One for what could have been, and one for what will be.”
Logelin admits he is not a professional writer—his favorite and over-used adjective is the f-word—but the story trumps any flaws in his writing. The memoir juxtaposes his wife’s death with his daughter’s birth illustrating how much he lost and gained over the course of two short days. He shares funny stories about his relationship with Liz and the struggles and triumphs of being a single father. He has honored Liz’s memory by creating a non-profit to provide support for young widows, widowers, and their children.
- With two kisses and an open heart, he shows how love can sustain us.' -Jeffrey Zaslow, New York Times bestselling coauthor of THE LAST LECTURE 'Almost unparalleled as a raw and unapologetic portrait of grief, TWO KISSES FOR MADDY is a stunning testimony of the kind of love— fated, magnificent— that inspires novels.
- Two Kisses for Maddy: A Memoir of Loss and Love is a book that details Logelin's early days with Liz, from the very beginning of courtship as teenagers to their marriage, the pregnancy,.
- Two Kisses for Maddy A Memoir of Loss & Love (Book): Logelin, Matthew: 'Matt Logelin writes a courageous and searingly honest memoir about the first year of his life following the birth of his daughter and the death of his wife'-Provided by the publisher.
- “Two Kisses for Maddy” comes out on April 14. Through Grand Central Publishing, Detroit Mommies has been able to secure three copies for a giveaway. The contest will run through 6 p.m. EST, Sunday, April 10,2011. Respond to this post with your favorite blog. What do you read? Who has captivated you?
The seven books are A Grief Observed, Two Kisses for Maddy, The Year of Magical Thinking, About Alice, A Widow's Story, Tuesdays with Morrie, and When Bad Things Happen to Good People. I'll write a review for each book. Death and grief are common, but we experience each uniquely.) In Two Kisses for Maddy, Matt Logelin recounts.
Two Kisses For Maddy A Memoir Of Loss And Love
I definitely recommend this book, and read it in one sitting if possible. It is so distressing that like ripping a band-aid off, I wanted the pain to be over quickly. Also, I would not recommend going to the optometrist the same day you have been inexhaustibly crying while reading this book—the eye exam will be much more painful than it needs to be. Two Kisses for Maddy is a heartrending reminder of the fragility of life and a brave portrayal of selfless endurance. A
Matt Logelin
Matt and Liz Logelin were high school sweethearts. After years of long-distance dating, the pair finally settled together in Los Angeles, and they had it all: a perfect marriage, a gorgeous new home, and a baby girl on the way. Liz’s pregnancy was rocky, but they welcomed Madeline, beautiful and healthy, into the world on March 24, 2008.
Just twenty-seven hours later, Liz suffered a pulmonary embolism and died instantly, without ever holding the daughter whose arrival she had so eagerly awaited. Though confronted with devastating grief and the responsibilities of a new and single father, Matt did not surrender to devastation; he chose to keep moving forward– to make a life for Maddy.
In this memoir, Matt shares bittersweet and often humorous anecdotes of his courtship and marriage to Liz; of relying on his newborn daughter for the support that she unknowingly provided; and of the extraordinary online community of strangers who have become his friends. In honoring Liz’s legacy, heartache has become solace.
About the Author
Born and bred in Minnesota, Matt Logelin was a project manager at Yahoo! until he left the company to focus on writing this book and raising his daughter, Madeline. The two live in Los Angeles, traveling often to see as much of the world as possible. Please visit them at mattlogelin.com