Saturday, December 5, 2015

Saturday, December 5, 2015

Tonight's picture was taken in December of 2008. Peter and I took Mattie to see the National Christmas tree with my in-laws. Mattie loved going to see this tree, along with the 50 smaller trees that surrounded it. Each tree represented each of our States. Of course in 2008, Mattie was wheelchair bound from his limb salvaging surgeries but we were determined to get Mattie outside. Of course I will never forget the looks and stares we got with Mattie in a wheelchair. This is something that will always remain with me. Despite how far we have come in our society around disabilities, there is still great judgment out there. 


Quote of the day: If you want meaning in your life you must give your life meaning. ~  Bryant McGill

Peter and I went to visit Mattie's Memorial Tree at his school today. This tree was planted in 2010, and was given to the school by Mattie's graduating class. The class of 2020. 

Each season we change the ribbon around the tree and on special occasions we add ornaments to the tree. So the ornaments do rotate on and off the tree. The only consistent ornaments on the tree are wind chimes, a bird house, and cars and lego pieces!  

Yesterday I received a message from Mattie's School letting me know that Mattie's tree will be listed on the School's plant database, located on a website. This database will showcase special trees located on the campus, so when teachers and others do a walking tour, they will know which trees to visit on campus. On the website there is a place to add a short description/story about Mattie's Yellowwood Tree. So I wrote the following description for the website:

This Yellowwood tree is dedicated to the beautiful and courageous life of Matthew J. Brown, better known to his family and friends as Mattie. Mattie was a kindergartner at the St. Stephen's & St. Agnes School. In July of 2008, Mattie was diagnosed with bone cancer and was unable to attend first grade. After a 14 month battle with cancer, Mattie died on September 8, 2009. Eight months after Mattie's death, the parents and the children of the class of 2020, contributed this memorial tree in his memory.

Mattie loved nature and he loved playing in the sandbox at the lower school. Which is why the location of Mattie's memorial tree is so meaningful and symbolic. When Mattie was alive, he spent many hours in this exact location and Mattie's parents hope that this tree provides shade and colorful enjoyment to all the children who continue to visit the sandbox.

There are three reasons that a Yellowwood tree was purposefully selected as Mattie's memorial tree. First, this variety of tree is unique to the lower school campus. It is a one of a kind, not unlike the 7-year-old boy it memorializes. Second, in April the tree produces magnificent white wisteria-like flowers, which is perfectly timed with Mattie's birthday. Finally, September is national childhood cancer awareness month and gold is the official color for childhood cancer.  The tree reflects this important month as its leaves turn a glorious yellow/gold color.  

Here is a close up of Mattie's tree with its Christmas bow. We added snowflake ornaments today, along with red antique ornaments that we recently purchased! 

It truly is the twinkling tree! Which is my nickname for Mattie's tree! When the sun shines onto the items in the tree, the tree really glimmers. While we were decorating the tree today, several people stopped us to tell us how lovely it looked. I am quite sure they have no idea what the tree symbols or what we are doing, but it was nice that people enjoyed looking at the items on the tree.