Tonight's picture was taken in August of 2009. Linda (Mattie's childlife specialist) arranged a special event for Mattie and his buddy Abigail. Mattie and Abigail spent several hours in the Lego store at one of our local malls. However, the special part about this was they were in the store when it was closed to the public, because it was after store hours. They worked with two Lego master builders and though Mattie was in a wheelchair, he managed to find the energy and the resources to self propel and maneuver his way to the Lego bins to get the pieces he needed to design a New York City Taxi. This Taxi is still assembled and in our living room. As you can see from this picture, Mattie was ALL business and very focused.
Poem of the day: Beyond The Grave by M.S. Lowndes
How do we convey
Just how we feel
When we lose someone we love?
How do we explain
The deep, lonely pain
The emptiness left in us?
No words can express
The hurt and anguish
Nor touch on how we feel
God shares our tears
And gives us His love
And He, in time, will heal
The hopes and the dreams
We had just remains
Like an unfinished book of their life
As an incomplete chapter
Remains unfinished
With nothing more to write
But we can know God’s comfort
And know there is hope
With a new chapter to begin
We can hold on to God
For He loves us so much
And fills the void within
As we close one chapter
Another can begin
Though the one we love has gone
Through Christ’s strength in us
And hope in our hearts
We find courage to carry on
As I was uploading pictures to the blog tonight, I was staring out the window. I saw none other than "Mattie Moon." Actually just a sliver of Mattie Moon is out tonight, and I couldn't help but daydream about Mattie. Though I know this is physically impossible, I looked at the moon, hoping to see a little boy sitting on it and looking back at me. Naturally I had no such luck, but I can never look at the moon now without thinking of my courageous son who battled a disease that seems even too horrific for the creators of science fiction movies.
I had the opportunity today to spend the day with Mattie's art teacher from SSSAS. Many of you may recall that Debbie and Mattie got along quite well, and they appreciated each other. Debbie nurtured and inspired Mattie to create the beautiful three dimensional painting entitled, Mr. Sun (the logo for the Mattie Miracle Cancer Foundation). Debbie invited me on a garden tour at the Hillwood Estate, Museum, and Gardens. Hillwood was an estate owned by Marjorie Merriweather Post in the 1950s. Ms. Post came from a very privileged background, considering her father was CW Post, the Founder of the Postum Cereal Company and an innovative entrepreneur. Ms. Post married and divorced four different men, one of whom was EF Hutton, and another whom was Joseph Davies, the US Ambassador to Russia. It was at that point that her love for Russian porcelain and art started. In fact, her estate was created as both a retreat and a living museum. Her guests came not only to socialize, but to see her extensive art collections and tranquil gardens. In fact, she designed her rooms and gardens to complement each other. So if you were in a room of her house designed in a French style, rest assured that the garden this room overlooked onto, would also reflect the horticultural traditions found in France. It was a very memorable trip today, and the gardens were simply breathtaking. While on the garden tour, we went through a garden entitled, The Friendship Garden. This was a garden literally built for Ms. Post as a generous gift from 170 of her closest friends. It was quite a garden, and in the center of the garden was a beautiful carved stone with the following quote carved in it: "Friendship outstays the hurrying flight of years and aye abides through laughter and through tears." I found this quote very meaningful and of course I can't help but apply it to my life.
Through Mattie's illness and death, I have developed some incredible friendships. However, I admit that I have not discussed this on this blog before, but I have also lost close friends in the cancer process. In comparison to losing Mattie, the loss of my friendships do not compare in terms of the pain. Nonetheless, it does compound the pain and in essence I have learned that some friendships do not outstay the "hurrying flight of years." Which makes you re-evaluate the hallmark of a good friendship. To me, time used to be key factor in determining a true friendship. Mattie's battle with cancer however, has caused me to rethink the whole meaning of friendship.
But I digress. Debbie and I covered a lot of territory today. We did a 90 minute garden walking tour, and then we had a lovely lunch filled with conversation. Debbie has a gift for conversing and sharing her wealth of experiences as a person and as an artist. We then moved on to a self guided tour of the estate. At the end of the day, Debbie handed me a gift that was designed by her neighbor for Peter and I. When I opened it, it was a hand drawn portrait of Mattie. In fact, the portrait was developed from Mattie's first Christmas picture that I have posted on the blog. It was a very touching gift that Debbie framed for us. This portrait captured Mattie's energy and spirit, and I am deeply moved that a person who never met Mattie, wanted to give me such a gift.
I took a few photos today that I wanted to share with you. The photo in the center, is of the Japanese-style garden. Our guide explained that a typical Japanese garden would not have a raging waterfall flowing down the center of it, like at Hillwood. Japanese gardens are designed for peacefulness and connecting in a spiritual manner. However, Ms. Post liked the esthetics of a waterfall, and therefore that explains why it was added.
Right: I was captivated by the purple rhododendron and azalea bushes right next to each other.
Left: Ms. Post spent the spring and falls at this estate (she had three other properties, one of which was a private yacht called the SeaCloud), which explains why her plantings and trees highlight these seasons. She had beautiful display of tulips, which just jumped out at you to let you know it is spring in Washington, DC. I would like to end tonight's posting with a message from my friend, Charlie. Charlie wrote, "It seems the plans for the walk are going well; the logistics of it are amazing and the Ann and the others who manage it are incredible. Tom and I are looking forward to again being a part of it and donating items for the raffle and/or the auction. I have been keeping the GWU counseling alumni updated via the listpost that Jared maintains and I hope we again have a good showing from that group. As I've said before, Mattie (and you and Peter) are a pebble in the water, creating ripples that spread to places you can't even imagine. How lovely to receive that confirming letter from Jeanne to tell you that your words are not going into the void but into the hearts and minds of caring, loving people. In so many ways, we often remember and honor Mattie's memory and spirit, from the "bugs" on the glasses, to planting of forget-me-nots and all sorts of other lovely and creative things. Today as I practice, I will send the energy to help you with the planning and preparation for the walk; I know it will be a success! I hold you gently in my thoughts."
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