Tonight's picture was taken in October of 2007. That weekend we took Mattie to Glen Echo Park in Maryland. This was one of his favorite places to go because within the park was a wonderful puppet company. Over the years we must have seen every one of their productions using real marionettes. It was a treat. In so many ways, raising Mattie was like reliving another childhood for us. I suppose that is the beauty of children, they keep us young in mind, body, and spirit.
Quote of the day: There is no exercise better for the heart than reaching down and lifting people up. ~ John Holmes
The Mattie Miracle Cancer Foundation hosted a very successful FIRST EVER Chocolate Therapy Workshop at Georgetown University Hospital today. Last month my friend Heidi introduced me to a friend of hers, her friend happens to be a chocolatier. Robbin studied chocolate making at a renowned school in Belgium, and over lunch in September I learned about Robbin's work and the fact that she is a cancer survivor who thrived on chocolate during her own treatment. Needless to say her personal story and expertise caught my attention. At lunch that day, she gave Heidi and I a box of the chocolates to take home. When we got home, we tasted them, and Heidi and I instantly emailed each other. Her handcrafted chocolates were that INCREDIBLE!
Robbin has conducted chocolate therapy workshops with adult cancer patients but has never worked with children. Today was a first, but she did just beautifully. She is organized and thought the whole event through, which is crucial for young people, and even more important when in a pediatric cancer clinic.
I have to tell you that returning to clinic and to the Hospital are not easy feats. In fact, I know many parents who refuse to go back to where their child was treated and died. It just holds painful memories. So being in clinic today was an interesting experience, especially when I could see Mattie's ceiling tiles which he painted above my head. I spent some time interacting with parents during the workshop (I brought Mattie Miracle bags, brochures, and pens -- most of which were gone by the end of the event). I could tell that many of the parents figured I was just there bringing a fun activity to the kids. They did not suspect that I was a mom who spent many hours in the clinic and who lost a child to cancer. I listened to several parents telling me their story and battle for a while and then through conversation it came out about Mattie. I could tell many of them were visibly moved. One dad had tears in his eyes, because he was amazed that I not only came back, but I was there to help others like his family.
As tonight's quote aptly expresses there is something wonderful about being able to lift people up! I can't think of a better way to do that than through chocolate. That was my hunch, but it was BEAUTIFUL to see this hunch become a reality. The chocolate was a HIT for ALL ages. Children, teens, and parents!!! Honestly there were smiles everywhere. In addition, when I told parents about what Mattie Miracle does for the Hospital they were speechless. Many of them told me they would be lost without Jess, the child life specialist Mattie Miracle has funded for three years in a row, and our free snack cart. Frankly I hear this indirectly from the staff all the time, but to get this direct feedback face to face from parents meant a great deal to me. This is why I do what I do. The beauty about today's event is it gave me the opportunity to do direct service and to interact with families. This is work that I actually love the best, but running a Foundation does not give me the opportunity to do much of this. Instead, I am researching, writing, networking, fundraising and the list goes on! After today's event, I felt somewhat energized, with the direct knowledge that what we do matters.
At the end of the event, I snapped this special threesome making chocolate. The two ladies in the front are Katie and Jess, Child Life Specialists, and the lady on the back right is Katie, an art therapist. I was thrilled to see them taking part in the event after spending two hours helping all the kids.
Another highlight of my day was seeing Bridget. Bridget is a young adult and has been battling cancer since she was 15 years old. In fact, while Mattie was in treatment, this is when I met Bridget and her special family. Though Mattie died, Kathy (Bridget's mom) and I remain connected through email. It was an absolute delight to see both of them face to face today. In fact, after the event was over, I went into Bridget's treatment room and chatted with them for an hour. During that time, I watched Bridget get an infusion of medication and also undergo an examination by her physician. I asked if she wanted me to leave either time and she said no. The cute part is when a visiting physician came in, she introduced herself to him, then she introduced her mom to him, and then she turned to me and introduced me as mom #2. Bridget knew Mattie and she knows about the work I do, but ultimately what she was saying is she considers me a mom first and foremost, and a mom who understands cancer. That was about the nicest compliment I have received in a long time. The trust from another child. I can't say enough about Bridget and from my perspective she is amazing and a role model to other childhood cancer patients and survivors. Bridget has basically grown up with cancer and it is hard to not let this disease define you, scare you into submission, and fear the future. I see how Mattie's cancer has impacted me and I can't even imagine how this disease plays with a developing mind.
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