‘We know Madison is smiling down on us.’ Capital Christian families celebrate teen’s 16th
It was a celebration heavy on laughter, joy and reflection. It was mixed with tears and profound anguish.
A stream of cars inched down Nestlenook Circle south of Mather Field late Saturday morning under cloudy skies, a good many of them swathed in purple. There were handmade signs and balloons, people young and old honking and waving. The parade on the outskirts of Sacramento County was headed by a Sheriff’s patrol car, lights blinking.
The bash was for Madison Wright on her 16th birthday. The star of the party and the light in any room she ever entered was not here. But really, she was — in spirit and in memory.
Madison succumbed to pancreatic cancer in September. Her loss jolted a Capital Christian High School campus she called home. Her smile, silly nature, ambition and kind spirit resonated, and that’s why this parade happened.
The old saying that it takes a village to raise a child? This village turned out here in full force to shower some feel-good love for what should have been a festive day for a teenager ready to seize the world. This was a surprise party to boost the spirits of Madison’s parents — Brenton and Leigh-Ann — and her kid brother, 13-year-old Joshua. Madison’s family held each other as they waved at faces they recognize and those they did not. The Wright family laughed, and then cried.
“There are no words,” said an emotional Brenton, wearing a purple T-shirt that read on the front “Madison Strong” with her favorite saying on the back, “Jesus Loves You.” Dozens of those in this parade wore the same shirt.
Madison is one loved kid, then and always. She was a 4.3 student, all A’s in tough courses such as chemistry and physics. She had visions of going to college, to get into forensics.
“It’s overwhelming to see this,” her father continued. “It’s very moving. I love them all so much. I’m very happy for my loving baby. What she endured with cancer ... and what they’re doing now for my little lady ... amazing.
“I’m sure Madison is smiling down right now, rejoicing.”
And more, Brenton said with a laugh. Madison loved cupcakes, especially heavy with purple frosting, her color of choice.
“That and Macaroni Cheese,” he said, smiling through tears. “Late in her life, she would tell her brother Joshua to eat as much Macci Cheese as he can. He does!”
Brenton said he is is inspired by the legacy of his daughter and the spirit of his son. They appreciate every bit of cheer and prayer. Leigh-Ann is battling breast cancer. She underwent chemotherapy earlier in the week. She has her moments, up and down, but this is one proud woman. She wasn’t going to miss this parade.
“Oh, it’s just so sweet, and we’re so thankful,” Leigh-Ann said.
“Strong woman, wonderful woman, and her spirits are up,” Brenton said of his wife. “Madison is giving us strength, giving us joy.”
Joshua has endured a great deal. He lost a sister he adored. He regularly holds the hand of a mother he cherishes. He hugs a father he looks up to. The coronavirus pandemic has sheltered in a boy who is used to being out and about.
“Joshua is OK,” his father said, looking at his son holding a curious dog. “He’s very strong. He’s our rock. We all have each other’s back.”
That sentiment is why this party happened, said Tina Merry. She is the mother of Alexis Merry, whose best friend was and remains Madison.
“So many of these girls grew up together, have been together since preschool,” she said. “Seeing all of this ... wow. Just beautiful.”
A moment later, Alexis and a group of her Capital Christian High classmates walked down the middle of the street, surrounded by cars and neighbors in this quiet part of a region that once housed the air force base. The girls held a banner bearing Madison’s name.
They stopped in front of the Wright home, the family standing in front moved to the core, and sang happy birthday. No one noticed they were a bit off tune. But that’s OK. It’s not easy to sing, smile, laugh and cry at the same time.
Madison’s friends honor her by thinking of her, of sharing her story and her smile.
“We love her,” Alexis Merry said. “We know her parents are struggling with not having her today We all are. We know Madison is smiling down on us.”
Jeff and Stephanie Olsen are Capital Christian boosters and fans of all things extra curricular on campus. They helped organize this event. Their daughter, Emma, was in the group of teenagers who sang happy birthday to Madison.
“The love these girls — everyone here — have shown is amazing,” Jeff Olsen said. “None of us could imagine going through this. Madison was a gift to us all, which is why everybody has shown such love and kindness.”
Shannon Saipele was another parent in the parade with Capital Christian ties. Her son, Julian, knew Madison since the kids were little.
“This is a tight-knit community and people care,” Saipele said. “I work at Capital Christian. It’s a family. At Madison’s funeral, we had purple cup cakes. She was with us then. She’s with us now, too.”
Saipele then looked over at the flood of cars and said, “I love seeing everyone’s faces! My people!”
Cars honked back in approval.
Said Wendy Carsten, a mother of four Capital Christian students, “The love, people caring ... we love this family and this gave us an opportunity to show it. It’s an example of what we can all do.”
As the parade thinned, the tears remained for Madison’s family. Brenton, the proud father, said, “We will remember this day and this kindness ... forever.”