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

September 12, 2014

Friday, September 12, 2014

Friday, September 12, 2014

Tonight's picture was taken in September of 2008. Mattie wasn't a computer fanatic, but his technology teacher, Mary, gave him this Mac laptop to practice some of the skills she was teaching him. Mary practically visited Mattie weekly, whether at the hospital or at home! Mattie gravitated to Mary and I appreciated Mary's visits because it gave me 30 minutes or so to regroup. Mattie created some wonderful art creations on this computer and a very memorable audio file of a song called "una moona" which Mary recently sent me. I have yet to listen to it because somehow hearing Mattie's voice is still very challenging for me.

Quote of the day: Remembering tires a person out. this is something they don't teach us. Exercising one's memory is an exhausting activity. It draws our energy and wears down our muscles. Juan Gabriel Vásquez


I had a very full day today! A nine hour board meeting to be precise, in which I presided over an ethical hearing. So tonight's posting will be SHORT!

I end tonight's posting with a photo of Tim's orange tie. A wonderful paisley variety! This concludes orange tie week in honor of Mattie. I hope you have enjoyed seeing these ties as much as I have, I know this tradition means so much to me! Traditions and rituals help to give meaning to loss and grief and some how Tim's photos help me feel as if I am not going through these anniversaries alone.



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