Saturday, September 13th, 2014

Saturday, September 13th, 2014

Tonight's pictures was taken in June 2007 at Dutch Wonderland in Pennsylvania.  We took Mattie to experience Lancaster County, home of the Amish and the Dutch Wonderland theme park.  This picture of Mattie and Peter was snapped just before the little tour train took us on a ride around the entire park.  You can see the glint in both boys' eyes that fun was about to be had. This trip was very special for many reasons, but it also marked the beginning of Mattie's affection for roller coasters as it was here that he went on his first roller coaster, well actually, he went on it four times in a row, since he got hooked after the first ride and the thrill that comes with riding a roller coaster.

Quote of the day:  I should know enough about loss to realize that you never really stop missing someone-you just learn to live around the huge gaping hole of their absence.   ~ Alyson Noel

Hi everyone, it is Peter writing just tonight.  Today our "game plan" was to go see Mattie's new tree that St. Stephen's & St. Agnes had planted this week to replace the yellow wood tree.  In usual DC weather fashion, today was what Vicki always calls it "A gray DC Day."  En route to see the tree the heavens opened up with downpour after downpour, so we juggled our list of tasks today so as not to be caught in the pouring rain outside.  We needed to move all the ornaments, bird house, wind chime and other mementos from the old tree to the newly planted tree. With the 5th anniversary of Mattie's death just past us, both Vicki and I are compelled to make sure Mattie's memory and those things that represent Mattie are addressed appropriately.  

Here is a shot of the new tree (IN ITS NEW LOCATION!!!) in all its splendor and fully decorated. We think it looks quite nice!

The new tree is located right next to the very sandbox that Mattie used to play in when he was at St. Stephen's & St. Agnes as a kindergartner. I think he would have liked to know that his tree and the many interesting objects that hang from it will keep the attention of the kids who play in the sandbox and playground.

This is another angle showing the rest of the playground to the right of the tree. Although we were concerned about the proximity of the nearby basketball nets, upon seeing it in person, we are comfortable that the tree is far enough away so as not to be damaged.

This last shot is a comparison shot of Mattie's two tree locations.  If you look at the right hand side of the picture (look at the right hand edge of the evergreen tree in the background where it is sunny), you will see the trunk of the old Mattie yellow wood tree that is dead in the background and of course in the foreground is Mattie's new tree. Clearly, the old location, although a nice vista, was assessed as not a good place for trees to grow. Perhaps because it is right up against AstroTurf. Maybe the rubber bleeds off into the soil impacting the trees.

We are very happy with the new location, and even more impressed by the attention, sensitivity and speed with which the St. Stephens & St. Agnes community, once again, stepped up to help us.  We truly appreciate their caring, their love and their loyalty and compassion to always remember Mattie.

Tomorrow, Vicki and I will go to the tree armed with bulbs to be planted around the base of the tree, and hopefully to be enjoyed in the Spring.