Tonight's picture was taken in May of 2008, at Mattie's end of the year Kindergarten party. Pictured on either side of Mattie were his two closest kindergarten friends, Charlotte and Campbell. I am very aware of the fact that Mattie's friends have just completed another school year. Today was the last day of school, and if Mattie were alive he would have completed third grade. In so many ways the beginning of summer vacation is troubling to me. It seems to signal in a profound way who is missing from our lives. It is hard to rationalize that Mattie died, and yet everyone around us continues to thrive and live their lives. When I look at this picture, Mattie seemed so happy and was bookended by two wonderful friends. I am lucky I volunteered that day at Mattie's school, and that I got to capture this happy moment in time.
Quote of the day: It's so curious: one can resist tears and 'behave' very well in the hardest hours of grief. But then someone makes you a friendly sign behind a window, or one notices that a flower that was in bud only yesterday has suddenly blossomed, or a letter slips from a drawer... and everything collapses. ~ Colette
Based on how I was feeling yesterday, Peter and I had a slower day today. We spent some time in Ellen's garden, walking along the beach, and journeying through town. During the day, I received an electronic newsletter from Children's Cause Cancer Advocacy. The Children’s Cause for Cancer Advocacy (CCCA) is the leading national advocacy organization working to achieve access to less toxic and more effective pediatric cancer therapies; to expand resources for research and specialized care; and to address the unique needs and challenges of childhood cancer survivors and their families. CCCA leads efforts to ensure that these needs and perspectives of children with cancer are integrated into the highest deliberations on health care and cancer policy at the Federal level.
The wonderful surprise in the newsletter was CCCA's support of the Mattie Miracle Cancer Foundation's House Resolution (HR 262) which was introduced by Rep. Chris Van Hollen and Rep. Mike McCaul:
http://www.childrenscause.org/newsletter-june2011#section3.
We appreciate CCCA's support on this important and unique Resolution that addresses the psychosocial issues of children and their families fighting cancer!
I have some more pictures to share with you from our day!
Bethany Beach at sunset! Notice that there was NO ONE else on the beach with us. It was as if we were walking on a private beach. 
On the way to the beach, we get to pass several gardens. This particular one I happen to love. The owner has two ponds incorporated into his garden. It is at these ponds that I usually spot frogs. The choice of plantings are vibrant and they make you feel happy and surrounded by beauty.
Here is another garden along the way that I also love. I like the colors, but I also find that the neighborhood bunnies love to hang out here. 
I came across this lovely, colorful, and metal butterfly in a garden store a couple of days ago. I added it to Ellen's house today. To me it is a symbol of Mattie and his ethereal presence. The ironic part about this is that Ellen invited Mattie and I to her beach house in the summer of 2008. We never visited because of our schedule and then of course Mattie was diagnosed with cancer. Mattie never saw the beach house, so somehow this butterfly seems like an appropriate gift that captures Mattie's spirit here. Mattie would have loved this beach and experiencing many of the wonderful sights we have seen this week. 
No comments:
Post a Comment