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

June 30, 2018

Saturday, June 30, 2018

Saturday, June 30, 2018

Tonight's picture was taken in June of 2007. Mattie was five years old and visiting his favorite theme park... Legoland. That summer Mattie not only enjoyed seeing all the Legos but he absolutely LOVED going on all the roller coasters. Not just once but MANY times. Fortunately Peter likes roller coasters, because there was no way I could have gone on those rides with him. I was the designated family photographer instead.

Quote of the day: There is no greater joy nor greater reward than to make a fundamental difference in someone's life. ~ Mary Rose Mcgeady

The day started with my dad not feeling well. With all the stress of the move and all the activity involved with that, he pinched a nerve in his back. So the first order was to contact his physician and get him the appropriate medication to manage this condition. In the midst of this, as you can see the pile by the front door is growing. Boxes and bags fill the hallway, as they are getting staged for pick up by the Disabled American Veterans next week.

I am trying to help purge things in linen closets, which means donation of pillows, pillow cases and towels. I used the dining room table today to wash about five loads of different linens.

I also went around the house collecting all cleaning supplies and bagged them. This evening we are doing a final walk through of their new home and officially get the keys. So with that in mind, I have loaded the car with the vacuum and bags upon bags of cleaning supplies. Though their movers come next week to help pack and move them on July 7th and 9th, I am trying to move little things to help make set up in their new home as efficient as possible. There are everyday things and personal items that really only we can manage ourselves. I have moved many times before and though professional movers are fantastic, they do not pack like we think. Or by how we use items! Which really means certain things need to be packed by us.

Peter sends me a "pooch" shot of the day while I am away. Apparently Sunny was super happy and excited this morning, as Peter was playing with him. You may not be able to tell but Sunny was barking up a storm here in joy!