A Remembrance Video of Mattie

Thank you for keeping Mattie's memory alive!

Dear Mattie Blog Readers,

It means a great deal to me that you take the time to write and to share your thoughts, feelings, and reflections on Mattie's battle and death. Your messages are very meaningful and help support me through very challenging times. I am forever grateful. As my readers know, I promised to write the blog for a year after Mattie's death, which would mean that I could technically have stopped writing on September 9, 2010. However, like my journey with grief there is so much that still needs to be processed and fortunately I have a willing support network still committed to reading. Therefore, the blog continues on. If I should find the need to stop writing, I assure you I will give you advanced notice. In the mean time, thank you for reading, thank you for having the courage to share this journey with me, and most importantly thank you for keeping Mattie's memory alive.


As Mattie would say, Ooga Booga (meaning, I LOVE YOU)! Vicki



April 12, 2016

Tuesday, April 12, 2016

 Tuesday, April 12, 2016 -- Mattie died 343 weeks ago today.

 Tonight's picture was taken in April 2008. This was the last birthday Mattie celebrated before cancer struck three months later. This was Mattie's second birthday cake. We had a little ice cream cake for just our family and of course Mattie's big cake for his party! As you can see we did multiple candle celebrations with Mattie. Even with a slice of cake post birthday Mattie loved the whole blowing out the candles experience. 
Quote of the day: Hope is a tease, designed to prevent us accepting reality. ~ Dowager Countess (from Downton Abbey)


Today I met with my friend Mary Ann (pictured in red). Mary Ann and I met in graduate school and we have known each other a long time. This photo was taken of us on July 20, 2002, at Mattie's baptism. It is hard to believe that two people in this photo are no longer with us, Mattie and Mary Ann's mom. Both died of cancer. 

 Mary Ann and I were talking about baptisms today at lunch. I find it fascinating how different churches baptize their parishioners. Some pour or sprinkle water on your head and others really dunk you in the water. I was joking with Mary Ann today, that I would never have gotten baptized if I had to get fully dunked into water. 
I remember Mattie's baptism like it were yesterday. I was half dazed from lack of sleep and still recovering from a c-section and bladder surgery. I had no idea how Mattie was going to react to water on his head, but the irony was he LOVED it. The priest joked with us and said in all the years he did this, he never saw a baby smile when water was poured over his head. Father Jim has one finger up in this photo because he was telling our family and friends that this was a first for him!
When I got home today, the deep purple tulips in Mattie's memorial garden were bursting open! The daffodils and crocus are now gone! But they have been replaced with these beauties! Mattie's garden gives so many of us in our complex spring enjoyment for weeks!
Posted by The Brown Family (DC) at 6:03 PM

No comments:

Post a Comment

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)