Saturday, May 19, 2012

Saturday, May 19, 2012

Tonight's picture was taken in November of 2008. Mattie had just had his second limb salvaging surgery. By that point the only intact limb he had was his left leg. This leg was cleverly renamed, Curious George. This was the perfect name for this leg because it literally got into trouble and Mattie used it almost like an arm. What was so incredible about this picture, was this was only days after a massive surgery, yet Mattie wanted to do something and decided he wanted to play on the computer. He couldn't use either arm, so instead used his left foot and leg on the mouse pad. If this picture doesn't scream out hope and determination, I don't know what does.


Quote of the day: I believe that if you show people the problems and you show them the solutions they will be moved to act. ~ Bill Gates

Today was a day of reunions. Peter's parents drove into town from Boston to be at the Foundation Walk on Sunday. So pictured from left to right are: Peter, Don (Peter's Dad), Barbara (Peter's Mom), Virginia (my mom), and Mauro (my dad). Both sets of parents gravitated to our garden area, which tells me that this space is perceived as cozy and inviting. This seemed like the perfect photo to take given in particular that tomorrow's Foundation walk theme is "Love of Family."

Unfortunately from my perspective battling childhood cancer is not finite. Once cancer has hit your life as a parent, the ramifications of the disease seem to remain with you. Regardless of the outcome. So in many ways, one does need the love of family to manage, cope, and recover with a lifetime of grief.

This afternoon, my parents and I went to pick up Karen, my lifetime friend. Karen arrived at Union Station and then we all went out to lunch together. I met Karen when I was only 11 years old and in many ways she is a part of our family. All seven of us had dinner together and I can't recall the last time we were able to do this. I know when I lived in Boston, these kind of dinners happened often, but as geography has separated all of us, these reunions have gotten harder. Naturally with Mattie's death, this has been very hard for all of us, because a crucial part of our dynamic is gone.

I am signing off for the evening. Wish us luck tomorrow for the Foundation's walk! For all of you who have registered, contributed, and supported us in some way, we THANK YOU!