Proud of my work -- 16 Years of Service

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



A Remembrance Video of Mattie

February 14, 2017

Tuesday, February 14, 2017

Tuesday, February 14, 2017 -- Mattie died 387 weeks ago today.

Tonight's photo was taken on Valentine's Day in 2009. As you can see Mattie was surrounded by Valentine's cards. All the first grade classes at his school sent him Valentine's and a friend sent along this huge lollipop. Not sure Mattie ever ate it, but he loved playing with it and using it as a magic wand. 
Quote of the day: Love attracts, connects, builds and frees the beauty of humanity. Happy Valentines Day. ~  Euginia Herlihy

I found this Valentine's message years ago and have posted it on the blog before. Clearly this is NOT a message one can find in Hallmark, as there really are few cards that apply to parents who lost a child to cancer. 

 Time moves forward, and yet bereaved parents the sadness remains. We may look normal on the outside, but if you scratch the surface and really listen you may see the reality of the pain. 




There are certain days of the year where I really don't wish to hear about someone else's children, their children's accomplishments, plans for the future, and challenges they face. Yet how do I say..... JUST STOP talking! If bereaved parents do this, then we are deemed as having the problem. Yet it is ironic that the rest of society does influence and direct what bereaved parents can talk about. It is a very lopsided problem. 
One of the highlights for me today was reconnecting with Becca (you can see her pictured here). Becca used to be an executive chef at the Clyde's Restaurant Group. For five years, Becca donated all the food to our Walk and even came to cook and serve it on site. She is a remarkably generous women who stands behind our cause! 

 Becca has since left Clyde's and now works managing the local Nordstrom's cafes. We had a fun time chatting with each other as she made her two hour commute home. As I always say, Mattie connected us with some amazing people, that he left behind for us. 
Posted by The Brown Family (DC) at 6:34 PM

1 comment:

Margy Jost said...

Vicki , the Valentine message is heartbreaking & beautiful all at once. I have to wonder why a company like Hallmark does not acknowledge the loss of a child on Valentine's Day. Valentine's Day is a time for loving and remembering. There are others, like I am who would like the chance to send a card that expresses my love for them and my remembrance of their child! The poem, younshared clearly demonstrates that this could be a way for others to acknowledge a friend's grief on this day of love. Love does not die. It is carried within us always. Parents, in particular, carry forever loss every single day for the rest of their lives.

As always, the beginning of your blog is highlighted by Mattie's photo. His smile always receives a smile back from me😊

February 15, 2017 at 8:30 AM

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