Tonight's picture was taken in March of 2009. You maybe asking yourself what was going on in this photo? Clearly Mattie was in his wheelchair waiting outside of a door. Next to him was Linda, Mattie's Child Life Specialist. It was a special day on the pediatric floor, because it was the ribbon cutting ceremony for the child life playroom. Though the playroom had been open and operational for months, the official party for the room was in March. Needless to say, Linda understood Mattie perfectly. She knew Mattie needed responsibility and to feel important. So that day, Mattie took photos with many hospital administrators, Geoffrey the Toys R Us giraffe, and also got to the cut the ribbon on the playroom door! It was the highlight of Mattie's day! A day we will never forget. Just one of many special days that Linda gave and planned for us. Which is why even today when I see Linda, a special feeling comes over me. A feeling that I am in the company and presence of someone I trust, someone who is safe, and someone who looks out for my family's best interests.
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
This week I went back to my zumba class. I haven't exercised in weeks. Who knows it could be months. I would have to say that the cold weather, grayness, being sick, and massive headaches have produced a rather toxic combination for me. Of course add to that non-stop work. Going to exercise isn't easy, especially when you haven't moved for a while. Yet once I do it, I do feel better. Well maybe not physically for a while, but definitely mentally. It gives me more energy to tackle the day ahead. In the midst of feeling overwhelmed and trying to get my energy back, I feel so grateful to have my friends helping me with this year's Foundation Walk plans. Today my friend Tina mobilized forces to help me with ideas to bring Legos alive at the Walk and my friend Dave helped us connect with a possible honorary walk official. That would be a first for Mattie Miracle. All very exciting, but based on how I am feeling I could not do it without my friends.
Peter is now not feeling well. The problem with all of this is I sprung on him that I want to go to Boston tomorrow night to attend my friend Mary's funeral. Probably not in Peter's best interest. For the most part, I really do not like attending funerals. Unless I know that a friend or family member really requires my presence. In my opinion funerals are NOT for the deceased, they are for who remains. There is nothing I can do for my friend Mary now. There is nothing I need to make amens for, and I do not have to say my farewells, final wishes, or last good-byes. I realize this may not be a popular stance and we all have different view points about such ceremonies and endings. Yet for me, my time with Mary was when she was living and fortunately when Mary could speak I knew how she felt about me and she wasn't afraid to express her feelings. I do think regardless of our age, we all need to hear once in a while that we are valuable, important, and needed by those in our lives and I am grateful Mary seemed to share that philosophy. Even until the end, I would share with Mary how I felt about her and how I viewed her, and don't you know when I did that, it ALWAYS caught her attention. An expression which I will never forget!
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