Tonight's picture was taken in December of 2007. We took Mattie to the US Botanical Gardens, which was one of our favorite places to go in the winter time. Besides its green beauty, it was like walking into a gloriously hot and humid environment. An environment which was needed for many of the plants in the atrium to grow and thrive. But hitting that heat and humidity when it was freezing outside was like stepping off a plane and visiting Florida. Except in this case, no traveling was necessary. During Christmas time, the Garden decorates beautifully and brings out these wonder models of famous Washington, DC buildings comprised of plant material. As you can see Mattie posed in front of the US Capitol model.
Quote of the day: Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet. Only through experience of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened, ambition inspired, and success achieved. ~ Helen Keller
This morning I headed back to the post office where our Foundation PO Box is located to mail all of our holiday envelopes to our supporters. Carrying 500 envelopes in large US Post Office plastic trays is no easy feat. So instead of parking a block away from the post office and walking, I decided to pull over right in front of the post office, with the thinking that I would quickly jump out of the car and leave the trays on the counter for Darryl. Darryl is our amazing Post Office employee who I want to adopt. He looks out for Mattie Miracle, our post office box, and even encourages people in the spring to attend our Walk. Darryl knew I was coming in to drop off the trays, so I did not even have to explain to him what I was doing.
However, parking by the post office is challenging. Right in front of the post office there is metered parking as well as parking for people with disabilities. So this morning because I was desperate and knew I was going to be QUICK, I pulled into a parking spot designated for people with disabilities. Mind you I had my hazard lights on and my intention was to take the large trays with the letters inside the post office and come out within seconds. Things were going smoothly, I had my hazard lights on and just took out all of the trays from the car and had them in my arms. I was literally seconds from walking into the post office, when a women in a SUV pulled up to me and started screaming at me. She could see I did not have a disabled parking permit and wanted this spot. I told her that I understood and that I had no intention of parking there, I just needed to drop the trays on the counter, which would take two seconds and then she could have the space. To me it was a reasonable request. I certainly know the value of such a parking spot when disabled, as I used them for over a year with Mattie.
To us, the sun is a glorious sight, since one of the last creations
Mattie painted was his large painting of "Mr. Sun," a symbol we
incorporated into the Mattie Miracle logo.
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