Monday, August 22, 2011Tonight's picture was taken in September of 2007 in a rowboat on the Potomac River. As you can see Peter took Mattie out fishing. Mattie and Peter had their own fishing poles, lures, and tackle boxes. They enjoyed these adventures together. Even today, if you look in the trunk of Peter's car, you will find a tackle box. However, Peter hasn't been fishing since Mattie died. So in a way the tackle box remains in the car as a memory of weekend trips with Mattie.
Quote of the day: I believe that imagination is stronger than knowledge - myth is more potent than history - dreams are more powerful than facts - hope always triumphs over experience - laughter is the cure for grief - love is stronger than death. ~ Robert Fulghum
When I think about what is in our car trunks, it does make me pause. Mattie may be gone physically from our lives, but his presence remains in our cars. If you should open my trunk you would think there was a child in my life. I have Mattie's car seat, stroller, toys, and Sponge Bob blanket in there. I am not sure why they remain in my car, but for now I am not moving them!
This September 8th, we will be acknowledging the second anniversary of Mattie's death. Peter and I are already giving thought to how we will spend this day. On the morning of the 8th, we have been invited by Peter's Georgetown University business school professor to give a presentation to his creativity and innovation class. His class has adopted the Mattie Miracle Cancer Foundation as their community based learning project. We are very excited to work with these young minds and hear their thoughts throughout the semester for creative ways for our Foundation to grow and develop. On the 8th, we will talk to them about Mattie, discuss his cancer battle, and share the video tribute of Mattie that we created for the Grand Rounds presentation in May. We will then talk to them about the Foundation and give them some ideas for things we need help with. I clearly know what we are doing the morning of the 8th, but I am not sure what we are doing for the rest of the day. We could plan another oak tree gathering at Mattie's school, like we did last year, but I am just not sure. As time moves on, so do others. I am very cognizant of this, and realize others may not need to have a remembrance in place like we do.
As I was driving this afternoon to meet my friends Tanja and Katharina (Tanja's 11 year old daughter) for lunch, I heard a song on the radio that immediately caught my attention. I knew very quickly the song was about cancer. Though the song primarily focuses upon breast cancer, I think it is quite applicable to anyone diagnosed with cancer and how it impacts a whole family. Needless to say, while driving and listening to the song, it made me cry. You can listen to this Martina McBride song for yourself, entitled, I'm Gonna Love you Through it.................http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WxIt70j_SPk
I haven't seen Tanja and Katharina for over a month. They have been traveling during summer vacation, and today we got together to share summer stories and compare notes on Alaska. We had a lovely lunch sitting outside and catching up. Though Katharina is 11 years old, she enjoys spending time sitting and chatting. In a way, this reminds me of myself growing up. I was always included in adult conversation, and whether I participated in it or not, I absorbed it and became a good listener. A skill that has served me well. I appreciate that Katharina wants to be engaged with me, and doesn't tune me out with an electronic device. I also should mention that regardless of where Katharina was this summer on vacation, she always emailed me to say hi. In fact, last week when I got a flat tire, she was concerned and was going to come over with her mom to help me. Needless to say, I appreciate this special connection with a young person and on some level I think Katharina understands this.
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