Shannon Melde turned the deepest sorrow of her life into something other families can hold in their hands. Her daughter Maddie passed away at the age of fourteen in the summer of 2022. A year later, Shannon picked up her pen with a simple goal: to make sure Maddie’s story would never fade. This article looks at how writing became her way of remembering, who Maddie was, and what families can learn from her approach to keeping a loved one close.
Writing as a Way of Remembering
Shannon began writing in 2023, and the project grew into a children’s book titled Always With You. Rather than documenting the loss itself, she chose to tell the story in Maddie’s own voice. That choice reflects the heart of her purpose. Remembering is not only about the final chapter of a life. It is about the laughter, the favorite songs, and the small habits that made a person who they were.
For many grieving parents, the fear is not only absence but the worry that memories will blur with time. Writing offers a steady answer. Once a memory is on the page, it can be revisited, shared with a sibling, and passed on to people who never had the chance to meet the one who is missed. Readers have responded warmly, describing the book as gentle, personal, and a heartfelt reminder that love stays.
The Girl at the Center of the Story
Maddie is not presented as a symbol. She is a girl with a full and colorful life. According to the author’s website, her story includes music and choir, shopping, pets, video games, golf, Hawaii, and family vacations. Each interest adds another thread to her personality, and together they form a portrait a reader can almost see.
This level of detail matters. When a young person is lost, the world tends to speak about them in the past tense and in general terms. Specific memories push back against that. A favorite spot to read, a video game played beside a brother, a family trip to Hawaii: these are the things that keep a person vivid and real.
A Family Still Together on the Page
Within the book, Maddie remains part of everyday family life. She visits her dad at work, keeps her mom company while baking, and sits close to her brother Brandon while he plays. None of these scenes is dramatic, and that is exactly why they work. Ordinary routines are where families feel a loved one’s absence most sharply. They are also where the memory of that person can live most comfortably.
By writing Maddie into these moments, Shannon shows that remembering can be active rather than only sad. It can sit at the kitchen counter, ride along on a vacation, or hum along to a familiar song.
Simple Ways to Keep a Loved One’s Memory Alive
Shannon’s approach offers practical inspiration for any family. These ideas echo the spirit of her work:
- Cook or bake a favorite recipe on a birthday or special date.
- Play their favorite songs at family gatherings.
- Write down short memories, even a single sentence at a time, and keep them in one place.
- Say their name often and invite children to share their own stories.
- Keep a tradition going, whether it is a holiday ritual or a yearly trip.
- Create a memory box with photographs, notes, and small keepsakes.
Nothing here requires special skill. What matters is consistency and warmth. Children in particular benefit from seeing adults speak openly about the person they miss. It tells them that memories are welcome and that love does not have to be hidden. Even a few minutes of remembering can turn a hard day into one that also holds gratitude.
A Mission That Reaches Beyond One Book
Shannon’s efforts do not stop at the final page. She hopes to share Maddie’s story widely so that other families can find healing after losing a child, a sibling, or any loved one. She has also started a foundation in Maddie’s honor, which carries that hope into the wider community.
The book itself is short, at 44 pages, and illustrated by Tony Pham. It is listed for readers aged three to eighteen, so families can share it together or read it privately. Alongside her writing, Shannon runs Sugar and Chip AZ, a home cookie bakery in Scottsdale. The creativity and care she brings to the kitchen echo the warmth found in her pages.
A Gentle Note for Readers Who Are Grieving
Shannon’s story is deeply spiritual and shaped by her family’s beliefs and experiences. Readers may find it comforting, and it is fine to approach it at your own pace. If grief feels heavy, reaching out to a counselor, a support group, or a trusted friend can offer care that no book can replace. A story like this works best as a companion alongside that support, not a substitute for it.
Remembering Is an Act of Love
Shannon Melde’s journey is a reminder that memory does not have to fade quietly. It can be written, shared, baked into a recipe, or sung along to in the car. By choosing to keep Maddie’s memory alive with honesty and tenderness, she has given other families permission to do the same. Her work says that love continues to shape a family long after goodbye, and that sharing a story can be one of the kindest ways to carry it forward.
