A Remembrance Video of Mattie

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



July 25, 2017

Tuesday, July 25, 2017

Tuesday, July 25, 2017 -- Mattie died 410 weeks ago today.

Tonight's picture was taken on July 25, 2009. The last birthday I shared with Mattie. Mattie's child life specialist, Linda, got a cake, so that Mattie could surprise me with it. As you can see, Mattie was beaming over this. 
With the help of my in-laws, Mattie created a lighthouse birthday card for me in 2009. You can see the 3-D card in front of us. 

















Quote of the day: Never worry about numbers. Help one person at a time, and always start with the person nearest you. ~ Mother Teresa

Last night Peter and I had a lovely dinner in the Old Mill Restaurant at the Boar's Head Inn. The room has an old world elegance and the service is charming. Our waiter, Douglas, couldn't do enough to make my evening special. 

 We learned today at breakfast that this wonderful room is going to remodeled and modernized. I am sure that excites some, to me this is disappointing. Some progress is not always for the better. Rarely can you find this traditional country elegance anymore, so it saddens me that it will be removed. 
Our waiter snapped a photo of us. It was the perfect table, as I could watch everyone coming in the restaurant and dining that night. To me people watching is a great deal of fun. 
Douglas brought me out these wonderful chocolate truffles, in addition to other lovely items throughout the night.  
This morning, we had our last breakfast in the Old Mill Room. This was my view. What you can't see from this photo is on the left hand side is a charming pond. 
Before we checked out of our room, I snapped a photo of this piece of art hanging in our room. It captures Thomas Jefferson's philosophy in life. The reason why Thomas Jefferson was so important to the Inn, is because the Inn is run by the University of Virginia (UVA) Foundation, and Thomas Jefferson is the founder of UVA.

It says....

 Thomas Jefferson's 10 Rules

 Never put off until tomorrow what you can do today

 Never trouble another for what you can do yourself

 Never spend your money before you have earned it

 Never buy what you don't want because it is cheap

 Pride costs more than hunger, thirst, and cold

 We seldom repent having eaten too little

 Nothing is troublesome that we do willingly

 How much pain the evils have cost us that never happened

 Take things always by the smooth handle

 When angry count ten before you speak,

 If very angry, count to hundred
Posted by The Brown Family (DC) at 6:50 PM

1 comment:

Margy Jost said...

Vicki, I forgot about those ten rules! Still apply all these years later. It is disappointing to me to hear of the remodeling. Some decor is timeless and needs no upgrading! But many don't share my philosopy!
I love the Boars Head Inn. The entire experience in Charlottesville is memorable!

I feel positive the picture of you & Mattie at your 2009 birthday holds a special place in your heart! Mattie's smile shows how pleased he was at being responsible for making your birthday special with the cake & lighthouse! I am sorry it was the last birthday, he was here to celebrate with you!! An enormous loss to face everyday not just your birthday. Thinking of you!

July 26, 2017 at 1:07 AM

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