Tonight's photo was taken in December of 2007. We took Mattie for a fan boat ride in the Everglades with my parents. This was NOT the boat we rode on, however, this old boat was on display because this was what fan boats used to look like. Mattie was always intrigued by boats and a fan boat ride to see alligators up close and personal was right up his alley! A day I will never forget and frankly until Mattie came into my life, I never had been on a fan boat. Mattie caused me to experience many firsts, things I would never have done if he weren't in my life. He brought adventure into my world.
Quote of the day: What good is the warmth of summer, without the cold of winter to give it sweetness. ~ John Steinbeck
Though I get Steinbeck's quote, I am quite sure I would be JUST FINE without the cold of winter and would appreciate the warm weather regardless. I need no cold comparisons. Sunny and I walked five miles today in the bitter cold. The only one bothered by it was me! Sunny seemed raring to go.
I have been dealing with a non-stop migraine. I am very stressed over the Foundation's upcoming, January 24, Roundtable on Capitol Hill. Though this isn't like planning the magnitude of a Walk and Family Festival, the logistics are still overwhelming. It requires travel arrangements for speakers, catering menus, planning the sessions, coordinating people, inviting congressional members and giving them awards at the event and the list goes on! Not to mention coordinating professional photographers and audiorecorders.
We were waiting for two speakers to confirm their attendance at our event. One very important speaker is a payor from Anthem. Anthem has been working with us, but their presence is crucial in order to have a reimbursement of services conversation at the roundtable. All of us can talk and speculate at the roundtable, but having someone with the knowledge and expertise is vital. The other professional who responded to us today has been instrumental in the adult cancer community at getting their psychosocial standard embedded within the hospital re-accreditation process. This is key, because if hospitals want to keep their accreditation (which they do), they need to comply with standards, one of which is this new psychosocial standard. Naturally the goal is to figure out how the adult community did this and try to apply such a model to our childhood cancer psychosocial standards. So today I feel like we hit the jackpot with these two RSVPs!!!
1 comment:
Hi Vicki, I don't need cold either. When I visit Wisconsin, I am reminded of the first years we lived here and how warm, I thought is was all year in Northern Virginia!!!!
It is obvious Mattie loved adventure. You & Peter did such great jobs in fulfilling his curious nature. I have never been on a fan boat although my family has. At my brother's Florida wedding, I stayed with my Mom while the rest rode the boat. It was too much for her!
As I read back through each blog, I am learning more about the RoundTable. I have such respect already for Mattie Miracle and it continues to grow. It seems I am still learning ways the Foundation is working towards the implementation of the Psychosocial Standards.
I often feel your friendship adds fuel to my HOPE!
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