Saturday, October 15, 2011

Saturday, October 15, 2011

Tonight's picture was taken in October of 2004. Mattie was two year's old and he was sitting with me in the college center of the George Washington University. Several of my students were involved with a Halloween event for under privileged children, and they invited me and Mattie to attend. One of the wonderful items they gave to all the children attending were free books. Even Mattie got to participate, and he picked out a Franklin book. Franklin is a character, who happens to be a turtle. Mattie loved watching Franklin on TV, so he was intrigued to read a Franklin story, so much so, that he couldn't wait until we got home. So right there and then we opened the book and started reading.

Quote of the day: They that love beyond the world cannot be separated by it. Death cannot kill what never dies. ~ William Penn

As promised, the question of the day is....................................................
Have you voted for Tricia (Mattie's nurse) today?
(Remember you can vote ONCE every 24 hours!!!)

For more information about the Johnson and Johnson Amazing Nurse Contest, please read my September 28, 2011 blog posting. Your daily vote is important and will bring Tricia closer to becoming a finalist.

Click on this link to vote for Patricia Grusholt: http://wildfireapp.com/website/6/contests/157336/voteable_entries

When Mattie was battling cancer, a new waterfront center (National Harbor) was under construction in Maryland. I heard of National Harbor, and I even passed it along the highway. But not until today did I have the chance to see it in person and walk around and explore. National Harbor is a 300-acre, mixed-used development that includes five hotels, thousands of residential units, tree-lined promenades with scores of shops and offices, two marinas and much more. I also hear that at the end of this year, 80 Tanger outlet stores are going to be built there. So by 2012, this place will be hopping.

What encouraged us to visit the Center was my friend and colleague, Nancy. Nancy was in town for a leadership meeting and each time she comes to town, we make a point to visit and catch up with each other. Since Nancy's meeting was at the National Harbor, it was a great excuse to visit the area.

When we drove into the complex, we were greeted by The Beckoning.... an 85’ contemporary sculpture created by Albert Palley. It is definitely a unique and interesting introduction to the space.

I loved this particular space! Visitors to National Harbor who arrive by water are greeted by the sight of the great giant struggling to escape earthly bounds depicted in Seward Johnson’s evocative sculpture "The Awakening." Children loved climbing all over this sculpture as well as digging and playing in the sand.

Here is a close up of the Awakening. I just love how it literally looks like a man has been buried in the sand and literally we can see a head, arm, hand, leg, and a foot! It just makes you feel like you are at the beach and helps you reflect on being by the water.

We had a nice lunch together, sitting right by a window overlooking this sight. Nancy is a faithful blog reader, and we communicate on a weekly basis. So we are aware of the activities in each other's lives. Nonetheless, seeing each other and connecting in person is very special. After lunch, Peter snapped a picture of us by the Potomac River.

Right next to the water, was this great turtle bench. In honor of Mattie, Nancy and I sat on a turtle. Something Mattie would have most definitely done! We ended the visit, with Nancy giving Peter and I a few gifts. I now have a blue guardian angel to watch over me, which will always remind me of my own angel.