Mattie's Blog and his Fight Against Osteosarcoma

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

May 7, 2018

Monday, May 7, 2018

Monday, May 7, 2018

Tonight's picture was taken in April of 2007. That weekend we took Mattie to Calvert Cliffs Park in Maryland. Going to this Park is an experience. Because it is over a mile walk through the woods in order to get to the Chesapeake Bay. The walk is very scenic and it is worth the effort in order to get to a cute little beach on the Bay. A beach which is filled with sharks teeth, as long as you are patient to dig through lots of sand to find them. Mattie and Peter were always very successful and I still have Mattie Ziploc bag full of found teeth!

Quote of the day: Donors don’t give to institutions. They invest in ideas and people in whom they believe. ~ G.T. Smith

I think G.T. Smith was right on the money. I know I personally don't give money to institutions, I instead give money to the people within institutions that I believe can make a difference to whatever the cause is at hand. I try to remember this meaningful quote as well, especially during our Foundation's fundraising season. But what I have come to the conclusion is that fundraising is personal. Meaning if you are invited to an event by a friend or family member, you are more likely to get a contribution. Which makes sense, because in today's day and day there are so many non-profits, and many unfortunately do not follow through with their promises. So accountability is crucial, and something both Peter and I firmly believe in for Mattie Miracle.

At this time of year, I feel like it's to beat the clock! I pull 12 hour or longer days to get this Walk coordinated, and on top of that, there is a fundraising component. When May 1st hits, we work daily on promoting the Walk through social media (facebook, twitter, instagram), through newsletters, and emails. It is a constant bombardment and the pace is exhausting.