Mattie Miracle Walk 2023 was a $131,249 success!

Mattie Miracle Cancer Foundation Promotional Video

Thank you for keeping Mattie's memory alive!

Dear Mattie Blog Readers,

It means a great deal to us that you take the time to write to us and to share your thoughts, feelings, and reflections on Mattie's battle and death. Your messages are very meaningful to us and help support us through very challenging times. To you we are 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 stop writing on September 9, 2010. However, at the moment, I feel like our journey with grief 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 us, and most importantly thank you for keeping Mattie's memory alive.


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



The Mattie Miracle Cancer Foundation celebrates its 7th anniversary!

The Mattie Miracle Cancer Foundation was created in the honor of Mattie.

We are a 501(c)(3) Public Charity. We are dedicated to increasing childhood cancer awareness, education, advocacy, research and psychosocial support services to children, their families and medical personnel. Children and their families will be supported throughout the cancer treatment journey, to ensure access to quality psychosocial and mental health care, and to enable children to cope with cancer so they can lead happy and productive lives. Please visit the website at: www.mattiemiracle.com and take some time to explore the site.

We have only gotten this far because of people like yourself, who have supported us through thick and thin. So thank you for your continued support and caring, and remember:

.... Let's Make the Miracle Happen and Stomp Out Childhood Cancer!

A Remembrance Video of Mattie

March 24, 2017

Friday, March 24, 2017

Friday, March 24, 2017

Tonight's picture was taken in July of 2002. Mattie was three months old and VERY alert. Mattie was born ON and only had two modes.... on and off. There was nothing in between. Mattie did not love being on his back, nor did he like tummy time. He detested it altogether. The pediatrician kept telling me the importance of some time on his back and tummy, so I tried to play with Mattie on this colorful caterpillar mat a little each day, but it never lasted long. Mattie preferred to be upright and moving. 


Quote of the day: No matter how little money and how few possessions you own, having a dog makes you rich. ~ Louis Sabin


The article below is worth reading. The Weipperts lost their daughter Grace to cancer. After Grace's death, her father took two days off from work to cope with the emotions of such a traumatic loss, but then went right back to work. Mainly because there is no bereavement policy in the work force. The Weipperts want to change this so that parents who lose a child can take up to 12 weeks off of paid leave to care for their physical and psychological needs.

I am not always a fan of more legislation, but in this case, it is necessary. Necessary because for the most part society doesn't understand how overwhelming the death of a child is on every aspect of a parent's being. Not that 12 weeks is going to solve the problem, but parents do need time away from other stressors to cope so that they can try to move forward with this loss. 


FMLA Bill Would Require Child Bereavement Leave:
https://www.shrm.org/resourcesandtools/legal-and-compliance/employment-law/pages/bereavement-leave-requirements.aspx



Peter took Sunny to work with him today. The ironic part about all of this is that people at work want to know when Sunny is coming in. Frankly it appears they want weekly visits by Sunny, as they enjoy his companionship! Today another doggie was also at the office. This doxie's name is Baguette! Cute, no?

Sunny and Baguette have become friends and pal around the office. Here they are playing with a tennis ball in Sunny's mouth!
Sunny up close! Sunny practically begs Peter each morning to take him to work with him. I think Sunny loves the walk back and forth with Peter, along with the constant stimulation within the office. 
I entitle this, "Friends sharing secrets!"
Sunny is a very calm and patient dog. No matter what is thrown at him, he always remains calm and cool, and this does impact the behavior of other dogs. 

1 comment:

Margy Jost said...

Vicki, It is hard to believe any employer would require a bereaved parent to return too work so quickly. Not that any amount of time heals the gaping wound this loss leaves but I can't imagine, retuning this soon. That is part of the problem. The only ones who truly recognize the depth of the well a parent/family has fallen into with this horrible loss, other s have no idea, really. Those that think, they do, don't!
So if it takes legislation to get parents the time off to just all be together, I am all for it! It is a sad commentary on life that loss is reduced to the need for legislation to give parents this time. I know not all employers give so little time but overall life returns to the day to day events and many people think this happens for the bereaved too. Not if you have lost your child. That forever loss is just that. Families need time to just be together!

I am not surprised Sunny is popular at Peter's work. Sunny fits his name!!!

Mattie's picture is sweet. He looks like an " on" baby. I love all puctures, you post and am so glad to see the infant ones of Mattie where his look is so different as time moves forward. He is beautiful in all of them❤️