Wednesday, April 3, 2013

Wednesday, April 3, 2013

Tonight's picture was taken in April of 2008, during Mattie 6th birthday party. As you can see Mattie had a Scooby Doo cake (since he LOVED Scooby Doo) but his birthday theme was bowling. That year we invited all of Mattie's kindergarten class and some of his closest preschool buddies to a bowling alley. This was a party I will never forget. During the party Mattie began running an 101 fever and what I learned is it is a lot harder to contain children at a bowling alley than you may think! I remember after that party was over Mattie literally went home and passed out on the couch! Which was HIGHLY unusual for Mattie. He only did this when he was very sick! That was Mattie's last healthy birthday ever. Now looking back, perhaps the 101 degree fever was a sign, but in all honesty I would never have guessed my six year old would be diagnosed with cancer just three months after this picture was taken! 

Quote of the day: The worst pain ... isn't the pain you feel at the time, it's the pain you feel later on when there's nothing you can do about it. They say that time heals all wounds, but we never live long enough to test that theory ... ~ José Saramago

Each morning this week Peter and I have started the day by working together on Foundation items. We both have had think tank working group conference calls this week as well. In the past two days we have brainstormed a lot for May's upcoming walk. Since the format of the walk is different this year, in many ways it is like planning the event for the first time. Later in the day we drove to Cape Henlopen State Park and walked 3.5 miles on the Walking Dunes Trail and Salt Marsh Spur.

The sun was out but it was windy and blustery. Nonetheless, this is not the kind of trail one could easily walk during the summer months. It would be too hot, not to mention filled with ticks. This Marsh Trail was beautiful and went on for as far as the eye could see. This may look like a sandy trail, but it was actually crushed shells we were walking on!

From the trail photo above, we saw this Salt Marsh. It was very peaceful on the trail and we only passed about three people in total. In fact, Peter and I both commented that this whole trail LACKED wildlife of any kind. Even birds!

A close up of the marsh. Tomorrow would be Mattie's 11th birthday. It is my hope that you have enjoyed the last week of Mattie birthday photos I have posted on the blog. We remember each and every birthday, but it is hard to accept why such a vibrant force within our lives was taken away from us at age seven. This will be the fourth birthday of Mattie's we are acknowledging without having him physically present. It is a very confusing and at times upsetting prospect that in order to cherish our role as parents, we must live in the past. For the future holds NO Mattie!