Tonight's picture was taken on August 6, 2009. The day after we learned that Mattie's cancer had spread throughout his entire body. Honestly I did not know if we were coming or going, but one thing we did not do was scare Mattie about the status of his diagnosis. Though in all reality Mattie knew his condition better than any of us. How a seven year old knew he was dying was beyond me, but despite his young age he understood. Sitting around the art table in clinic with Mattie was Jocelyn (on the right with the Mattie orange wrist band) and Jocelyn's two sisters. Jocelyn was battling osteosarcoma too and despite the age difference between the two of them, Mattie related to Jocelyn and vice verse. It was wonderful that Jocelyn and her sisters were in clinic that day because they served as a great support system and distraction for Mattie. They created all sorts of things that day and even had a boat race in the clinic sink!
Quote of the day: Until it is taken out of your mind, it is never lost and it is never gone. ~ Ernest Agyemang Yeboah
First of all it is hard to believe that both people in this photo are now dead, thanks to osteosarcoma.
Jocelyn and Mattie constructed a sailboat made out of cups, tin foil, wire, and paper! The goal that day was design your own boat and race it in the sink.
Mattie had a special and fun day with Jocelyn and her sisters, which truly was a feat given all we were living with.
1 comment:
Vicki, I have a rather large photo book with parchment paper separating the big pages. I received it from Hannah and her parents Christmas, 1999. The first two pictures were of Hannah smiling. Their note said, fill the book with smiles. I was always snapping pictures or receiving photos from families. Hannah died October 7, 2000. She had turned 3 on July 7th. I did what her parents suggested, filling the book with smiles of kids of all ages in treatment. My book is beautiful. Looking at the smiles and fun going on, just like the fun Jocelyn and Mattie were having, I am always amazed that to the unknowing eye, so much more was going on than the picture tells. Yet what is evident always, love and caring were present. Many of the kids in my book have died also. Each page is filled with pictures of kids fighting their way to wellness. Yet they seemed always cognizant, that it might not happen. My book is a treasure. Each page reminds me of many stories about each child. Just like these pictures, you posted tell of a friend who helped Mattie that day and many others!!!!
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