Tonight's picture was taken on February 5, 2009, seven years ago today. Which is hard to imagine in and of itself. Mattie was pictured with Sally, the story book lady. Sally is immensely talented and one of the only visitors Mattie NEVER turned away. Sally made stories come alive and allowed the children to actively take part in each tale. Whether that was playing a part, making noises and sound effects, or you name it. Sally had a way of totally getting to know each child, so every time she visited she knew instinctively what motivated and intrigued each child.
Quote of the day: The loss of a loved one is like that of a limb; time may heal the anguish of the wound, but the loss cannot be repaired. ~ Robert Southey
I went out to lunch today with a friend who I have gotten to know quite well this year. We got connected through mutual friends on Facebook. In any case, over lunch my friend asked me who do I talk to about Mattie? This wasn't a clinical question, it was more of a simple and honest question about who hears my tales about Mattie when he was well and of course also listens about the pain and anguish associated with Mattie's cancer battle and death? She asked excellent questions, but my answer truly isn't simple.
It isn't simple because I would say the loss of a child is not a topic anyone really wants to hear about for a long period of time. I noticed it scared many people away in the first year after Mattie died, and then of course if you survive the first year, most people think that life moves on and things get better over time. However, that of course isn't the case as anyone who has suffered a traumatic loss knows. The loss walks with you always, but you learn to live with this feeling.
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