Tuesday, June 7, 2016

Tuesday, June 7, 2016 -- Mattie died 351 weeks ago today.

Tonight's picture was taken in July of 2002, at Mattie's baptism. The priest presiding was Jim Greenfield. I met Father Jim at the George Washington University and I always credit Jim for also giving me my first clinical client. While I was in graduate school I became friends with Jim. He is an extraordinary priest, which is why he is now the Provincial of the Wilmington-Philadelphia Province of the Oblates of St. Francis de Sales. Jim gave Peter and I pre-cana (to get married in the Catholic church), he baptized Mattie, and he also presided over Mattie's funeral. While attending a graduation today of a Catholic School, don't you know they mentioned Jim in their ceremony! I associate Jim with our life with Mattie and as soon as I heard Jim's name, I was transported back in time. 

In this photo, from left to right were: Chris (Peter's brother), Lisa (Peter's Sister-in-law), Peter, Jim with Mattie, Vicki, Donna (Vicki's cousin), and Peter (Donna's husband)


Quote of the day: Share your sparkle wherever you are. ~ Dodinsky

I was invited to Isabel's graduation from Bishop Ireton High School. Isabel is the daughter of my friend Heidi. How did I meet Heidi? I met Heidi in my zumba class, however, Heidi actually knew of me before I met her. She had been reading Mattie's blog all through his cancer battle. She knew about us through her church. The funny part about this was when I entered zumba class on the first day (about a year after Mattie died), Heidi came up to me and hugged me. She knew me, but I did not know her. Over the years, I have gotten to know Heidi's family and have worked closely with her daughter, Isabel, through Mattie Miracle events. Isabel has volunteered many hours with the Foundation from middle school through high school. 

Today's graduation ceremony was at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception. This is the largest catholic church in the United States and truly reminded me of St. Peter's in Rome. 

The ceremony featured 208 graduates, their faculty, two student speeches, and a commencement speech by an Admiral in the Navy. The Admiral told a story about his experiences captaining a submarine and the moral of the story was mistakes happen. But it is what we learn from mistakes and how we pull out of them which is important. It was a touching presentation, especially knowing that his daughter was in the graduating class. He told the graduates that many of the men he works with on his current assignment.... an aircraft carrier, are all about their age. That these men work hard, under terrible conditions to provide them with freedom and the ability to go to school, therefore he asked that they think about this before going to bed tonight. 

The basilica is a very special setting, along with the beauty of the organ commemorating the occasion.    

After graduation, Isabel and her family invited me out to lunch at Washington Harbor. This is Isabel and me with the Kennedy Center, the Watergate and Memorial Bridge behind us. 

 Heidi, Isabel, and me. 

Isabel --- the proud graduate!