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

November 24, 2012

Saturday, November 24, 2012

Saturday, November 24, 2012

Tonight's picture was taken in November of 2008. Mattie was in the hospital and recovering from his second limb salvaging surgery. Which meant that three out of four limbs were operated on! After Mattie's surgeries, one of the goals was to get his body moving and certainly to exercise his lungs to prevent fluids from building up in them post-surgery. One of the ways we would get Mattie to use his lungs was through blowing a straw. Team Mattie gave us these funny straw glasses and though Mattie was hesitant to use them, I put them on to try to encourage him. Mattie thought I was a riot to watch!

Quote of the day: The pleasure of remembering had been taken from me, because there was no longer anyone to remember with. It felt like losing your co-rememberer meant losing the memory itself, as if the things we'd done were less real and important than they had been hours before. ~ John Green


 
On Friday, when we toured the Sleepy Hollow Lighthouse, there was a playground on the grounds which caught our attention. I couldn't find the photo on my camera last night, but while downloading photos today I found it. To me this is the most unusual playground equipment I have ever seen. Basically these white things are climbing blocks for kids, but in the shape of teeth!    
 
We joked that this playground set up had to be designed by a dentist! Check out the bench right next to the teeth... it is two toothbrushes side by side!
 
We packed up this morning and were in the car by 10am. Before getting on the highway, we went to visit the neighborhood I grew up in and passed my old house. It was amazing to see that  some things do not change. Our return trip home seemed endless. Traffic was awful. Along our journey I snapped a picture of the NYC skyline.
 
It seemed like we experienced many weather changes along our car trip today. At times we saw the sun, at times it snowed, and then at other times the sky was so dramatic. As you can see there were rays of sunshine desperately trying to shine through the clouds. It looked very ethereal.
 
As we drove through Baltimore, the Enchantment of the Seas was in port. Several cruise ships now leave out of Baltimore, and to me it is always a lovely sight to see a ship while driving through Maryland. Maybe it is because I know this ship is going to the Caribbean, away from the cold and grey skies.



Peter and I were in the car for about 7 hours. Tonight I feel very tired and motion sick. So I am signing off for the evening and I know Patches (our cat) is thrilled to be home.
 
 
 
 
 


 

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