December 7th, 2024.
12:03 a.m.
A moment frozen in time.
A final breath exhaled.
The end of a battle fought with more strength than anyone could imagine.
On that early morning, the “Mightiest Maddox” finally let go.
He was just four years old.
But in those years, and especially in the eleven months he battled medulloblastoma, he became a warrior.
He was strong until the very end.
And when his body could no longer fight, he left this world in the arms of his mother, with his father at his side, and surrounded by family who loved him more than words could ever describe.
Maddox’s parents knew this day would come.
They prayed endlessly that he would not suffer.
They begged for mercy, for peace, for rest for their baby boy.
And still, when the moment arrived, their hearts shattered in ways that no parent should ever know.
This is not how life was supposed to be.
Children are meant to outlive their parents.
They are meant to grow up, to play, to learn, to chase their dreams.
Maddox’s story was cut short, and the pain of his absence is a wound that will never fully heal.
His mother, Marlena, described that night in words that will echo forever.
“December 7th, 2024.
12:03 a.m.
A moment I will never forget.
A final breath exhaled as the Mightiest Maddox no longer had to keep up the fight.
He was strong until the very end!
Leaving this life, in my arms, with dad right by his side and surrounded by family, Maddox has finally let his little body rest and be pain free and in peace.”
Those words carry both devastation and peace.
Devastation because their baby is gone.
Peace because his suffering has ended.
The family clings to both realities as they navigate this new world without him.
Maddox was more than a patient.
He was a boy full of life, full of love, full of laughter.
He adored meeting new people and making friends wherever he went.
He had a way of softening hearts, of teaching patience, of reminding people to smile.
His presence made the world feel lighter.
He never let cancer define him.
Instead, he defined himself by the joy he carried and the love he gave.
He loved his family deeply.
His older sisters were his heroes, his protectors, and his playmates.
His mum and dad were his safe place.
And his beloved dog, Shadow, was his constant companion—sharing quiet moments, offering comfort, and reminding him of simple joys.
For those who knew Maddox in person, he was unforgettable.
He had a sparkle that could change the entire atmosphere of a room.
He had a way of turning strangers into friends.
And even for those who only followed his journey from afar, he became a symbol of resilience, courage, and light.
In the last days of his life, his story spread across the world.
People who never met him found themselves moved by his strength.
Prayers poured in.
Messages of love and encouragement reached his family from every corner of the globe.
Maddox touched hearts on a scale far larger than his short years should have allowed.
He taught lessons without ever standing at the front of a classroom.
He taught people to be gentler, to be more patient, to laugh more often, and to not take life too seriously.
Through his joy, he reminded the world of what truly matters.
He was a light.
And even in his passing, he remains a light in a world that often feels too dark.
The days since his passing have been heavy for his family.
Each moment without him is another reminder of the void left behind.
The sound of his laughter no longer fills the rooms.
The sight of his toys now brings tears instead of giggles.
The silence is deafening.
And yet, there is comfort in remembering.
Comfort in knowing he no longer feels pain.
Comfort in holding onto the moments they shared, the adventures they had, the love that will never fade.
Maddox’s family knows they will never be the same.
But they also know that Maddox changed them in ways that will carry on forever.
He may only have lived four years, but his life rippled outward like waves.
Every person who knew him—or even just heard his name—has been touched.
His story is not one of tragedy alone.
It is a story of courage.
It is a story of love.
It is a story of light that cannot be extinguished.
Arrangement details will come in the days ahead.
There will be time to gather, to honor, to remember, and to celebrate the life of Maddox Lac Kamp.
August 25th, 2020 – December 7th, 2024.
Forever four.
Forever loved.
Forever remembered.
Rest in heaven, sweet Maddox.
You will be missed beyond measure.
But your story, your smile, and your light will live on in us all.
A Wife’s Ultimate Gift: Giving Life Through Love.618
Deidra Crouse is the kind of person who restores your faith in love and selflessness. Married to Paul Crouse for just three years, their relationship has been a journey of highs and lows, of joy and challenges, of shared growth and unwavering commitment. But nothing tested their bond—or showcased their devotion—quite like what happened recently.
“I needed a kidney,” 57-year-old Paul said quietly, the weight of his words hanging in the room. Kidney disease had been a shadow over his life, and while doctors provided hope, the uncertainty of finding a suitable donor was always looming.
Without hesitation, his wife, Deidra, looked at him and asked, “Why not me?”
Those simple words carried the courage and love that define their marriage. Paul’s eyes still mist over when he recounts the moment. Deidra underwent testing, and the results were perfect—she was a match. What followed was both life-altering and life-saving. Last Friday, Deidra gave Paul the ultimate gift: her kidney.
“It was intense, but the doctors were amazing,” Paul recalls. “Deidra hopes to be released from the hospital on Tuesday, and I’ll be following a few days behind her.”
For three years, their marriage has been filled with laughter, shared dreams, and the kind of partnership most people hope to find once in a lifetime. Yet, in those critical hours, their love transformed into something even deeper—a tangible proof that the heart is capable of unimaginable generosity.
“I’m a lucky guy,” Paul says, his voice brimming with gratitude and wonder. Every word he speaks feels genuine, a reflection of a man who knows the depth of the love he has been given. He now has decades of life ahead, filled with moments he may have thought were no longer possible. And he has Deidra to thank for it, not just for the kidney, but for her courage, her willingness to step into a role most people couldn’t imagine, and for standing beside him through the hardest challenge of his life.
Their friends joke that Paul might have just earned a permanent place on a “Honey Do” list, but the truth is, the sacrifice went far beyond household chores. It was a testament to partnership, to marriage, and to the extraordinary ways people show love. “It’s all I can do to help the marriage,” Paul chuckles, but the depth of his statement resonates far beyond humor.
As Deidra and Paul recover in the days to come, there is a profound sense of hope and renewal. May their lives continue to be full of health, happiness, and the simple pleasures of shared everyday moments. May they continue to live in prosperity and peace, knowing that the love they share has the power to heal in every sense of the word.
This story is not just about a kidney donation—it’s about devotion, courage, and the remarkable lengths one human being will go to save another. It reminds us that love is more than words; it is action, sacrifice, and unwavering commitment. Deidra and Paul Crouse’s journey is a shining example of what it means to love selflessly and to fight for each other, in sickness and in health, for years yet to come.
