Tonight's picture was taken in August of 2009. A week after we learned about Mattie's terminal status. If I had to entitle this photo something, it most likely would be, "come one, come all!" That afternoon, in the child life playroom, Mattie got the attention of Jenny and Jessie (his art therapists), Linda (his child life specialist), child life volunteers, and even Liz (who was a resident artist who met with in-patient kids on occasion to write and create poetry). Honestly, we needed all that support to make it through that moment in time. As the staff knew, by this point, Peter and I were frazzled and were just delivered yet another blow. Certainly it was the job of the Hospital's psychosocial support staff to help us, but many of these women weren't just staff to us. They became part of our family, and like any good family, they rose to the occasion and showed us what they were truly made of. It saddens me that many of our Hospital family no longer work at Georgetown anymore!
Quote of the day: Sorrow makes us all children again -- destroys all differences of intellect. The wisest know nothing. ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson
As many of you know from my postings, I haven't been feeling well for a week. I finally did see the doctor yesterday and she put me on antibiotics. The power of almost 1700mg of antibiotics a day!!! I feel so much better today and can function. I have felt so lethargic for days! Even Peter was worried, especially since he saw that I could do VERY little without being exhausted. I am slowly coming out of a fog, which is a good feeling. I met Peter for lunch today, but before meeting him, I walked around Foggy Bottom. The students are moving back into the George Washington University. Things are VERY different from when I went to college. The University has a whole "bellhop" program, where a team of students will actually help you move into your dorm. I saw them roaming all over campus today!
Before meeting Peter, I took myself out for hot tea and to read a book (one of the many books, I am reading. This one, was given to me by my niece. She thought I would like the psychological content of it, and she is correct!). While having tea, one of the servers started talking to me. Mainly because it was such a beautiful weather day, it just puts you in a talking mood and I was sitting outside. Any case, I learned this was his second job after retiring after 20 years from working for the District government. I asked him about his former job, and it turns out he was a counselor in a juvenile detention center in DC. He explained to me that his own protective factors growing up were his parents and sports. He said without those things, he could have easily landed up in prison. He has spent his life trying to help young boys in DC and he shared with me some of the issues these boys had with their family of origin and the various other hardships they experienced. All of it was heartbreaking. Despite the grief and loss I live with, I am most definitely able to hear other stories, to know there are others far worse off than me, and to appreciate that I have a roof over my head and the finances to manage it. It was a humbling encounter that affected my mood all day.
The highlight of my day was lunch with Peter. We meet occasionally out of our home environment to reconnect. Some days we just need emotional support or a friendly face. I know it helps me! I then spent the rest of the day at home doing chores. But my day didn't end there, in fact I was surprised with TWO gifts of kindness. When I opened my front door to get fresh herbs in my garden, I was greeted with this beautifully painted birdhouse. There of course is a story to this! Years ago a friend gave this birdhouse to Peter. But it had rusted out. Our complex's painter, a wonderfully kind gentleman, came to paint our door one day months ago and noticed this old birdhouse. But he did not say anything. Any case, when we got back from our trip to North Carolina in June, I noticed our birdhouse was missing. Which is unusual! In all the years I have lived here, NOTHING has been stolen from our deck. Now today, months later, when I opened up our door, I saw this cutie. Derrick is a Baltimore Orioles fan, so he painted this Red Sox birdhouse in Orioles colors. I just love it and I particularly love the oriole on the perch. It is this kind of act of kindness that get me to pause and get re-energized about our world. A world in which even on a good day, I don't feel a part of. The second act of kindness came in an email form. A young girl wrote to us. She saw Breland's video and has been inspired by Lauren's Bows for Hope. She wanted me to know that she makes things like purses and other items and wanted to know if she could sell her items in her community and donate her proceeds to Mattie Miracle. She had specific questions about how we use our funds and whether we directly help children. Naturally our supporters know the answer to this is a big YES!!! I did let this young lady know the details surrounding our Foundation, and I am encouraging her to tell me about herself, so we can feature her in a newsletter. None of this would be possible without Lauren! Lauren is a force, and at the young age of 15, knows how to get things accomplished!
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