Proud of my work -- 16 Years of Service

Thank you for keeping Mattie's memory alive!

Dear Mattie Blog Readers,

It means a great deal to me that you take the time to write and to share your thoughts, feelings, and reflections on Mattie's battle and death. Your messages are very meaningful and help support me through very challenging times. I am forever grateful. As my readers know, I promised to write the blog for a year after Mattie's death, which would mean that I could technically have stopped writing on September 9, 2010. However, like my journey with grief there is so much that still needs to be processed and fortunately I have a willing support network still committed to reading. Therefore, the blog continues on. If I should find the need to stop writing, I assure you I will give you advanced notice. In the mean time, thank you for reading, thank you for having the courage to share this journey with me, and most importantly thank you for keeping Mattie's memory alive.


As Mattie would say, Ooga Booga (meaning, I LOVE YOU)! Vicki



A Remembrance Video of Mattie

February 25, 2012

Saturday, February 25, 2012

Saturday, February 25, 2012

Tonight's picture was taken in July of 2002. Mattie was three months old and featured in his favorite place (well that is when he was outside of my arms).... his car seat! To me, when Mattie was a baby he looked more like Peter, but as he developed, there was no question about who he looked like. He looked just like me and had a similar fiery temperament.


Quote of the day: Happiness comes when we test our skills towards some meaningful purpose. ~ John Stossel

Tonight's quote intrigues me because to some extent, challenges do provide opportunity for great growth, direction, and purpose in our lives. In terms of the Foundation's activities, my greatest test right now is to be able to host a congressional briefing/psychosocial research symposium on March 20. Prior to having Mattie, I had many different experiences coordinating educational trainings and conferences for my field. So thankfully I can pull from those experiences, yet despite some familiarity with professional events, the March 20th event is quite different. It is different because it involves lawmakers, members of the childhood cancer community, as well as professionals from the mental health and medical fields. When one's audience is diverse like this, it becomes a bit more challenging to meet the educational and awareness needs of everyone. Yet myself and the research team are working hard on make sure this is indeed achieved!  

Peter and I took a walk on Roosevelt Island today. Which is a typical weekend activity, because it makes us feel connected to Mattie. It was bitter and frigid out, yet we walked. These windy and grey days do get to me, especially when I am not feeling great to begin with. I continue to have intense headaches and so far have seen no difference in symptoms after the acupuncture session. However, I do go back again on Tuesday and I am hoping over time this treatment helps.

Tonight Peter and I are cooking together, which is always hysterical, since we have a way of tearing apart recipes and tweaking them to fit our own tastes. So in the midst of the cold and how I am feeling, we are trying to find moments of laughter in the day.
Posted by The Brown Family (DC) at 5:45 PM

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