Tuesday, January 19, 2016

Tuesday, January 19, 2016 -- Mattie died 331 weeks ago today.

Tonight's picture was taken on January 17, 2009. Mattie was home after his trip to NYC to start an experimental treatment at Sloan Kettering. While in NY, we went to the top floor of the the Empire State Building with Mattie and this made an impression on him, so much so that he wanted to take home a reminder. Therefore at the gift shop Mattie spied an erector set of the Empire State Building. Peter and Mattie built this structure together. It took HOURS and a lot of labor. After it was built, Mattie put a little green figure on the top of it! This model remains in Mattie's room today.



Quote of the day: Grief is the ultimate unrequited love. However hard and long we love someone who has died, they can never love us back. At least that is how it feels…. ~ Rosamund Lupton

When the Washington Post came to our home to interview us and photograph the Foundation's office, ie Mattie's bedroom, look what was captured! A photo of the same erector set seen above. The only difference is on top of it, I now have a safari hat that Mattie acquired from his fifth birthday party at the National zoo. 




Today, a Tuesday very interestingly (Mattie died on a Tuesday, in the hospital), I went back to Georgetown University Hospital to sit with a friend of mine whose husband was getting surgery. I know that it isn't great to sit alone while waiting for someone you love to have surgery, and distractions and support are needed. If nothing else I am a good distraction and I am sure to bring chocolate. The food of choice when under stress. 

While at the hospital today, I passed the outdoor space where we always would bring Mattie when the weather cooperated. In one particular space, by the medical school library is a rock garden. With ALL sizes of rocks. Mattie loved this space and one of Mattie's signature traits was he liked taking a part of his outdoor experiences home with him. Which is why we had a LARGE stone, branch, acorn, and shell collection in the commons area of our home. One day while at the hospital, Mattie insisted on taking a large stone from the garden. Typically I wouldn't allow this since it was private property. But given the circumstances and the fact that it was a difficult day, I conceded. As you can see this STONE still exists by our front door today! Any case, whenever I pass certain spots in the hospital, I land up reflecting. As if six years haven't passed! Part of the hospital still seem very real to me, and I guess when you live in them intensely for 15 months this can happen. 

My friend's surgical liaison today was Melissa. I know Melissa well, because she was Mattie's surgical liaison on many occasions. She is a wonderful, responsive, and attentive person who goes into the operating rooms, checks on patients, and provides family members with updates. Some of Mattie's surgeries were ten hours long, so having these periodic checks were a God sent. Now many years later she is still bringing comfort to people, and her smile is appreciated. She remembers me and I remember her. Rather interesting no? To me this is what makes aspects of Georgetown special, it is the human connections that can be forged with people, and when your loved one is in crisis, these connections are vital because like we always say...... it's not just about the medicine.