Saturday, February 16, 2019

Saturday, February 16, 2019

Tonight's picture was taken in March of 2009. You maybe asking what was going on here! Mattie was talking to his child life specialist, Linda. Mattie and Linda had a very close relationship. So much so that after Mattie died, we have been raising money for child life programs at different hospitals. We could never have managed the day to day turmoil without Linda. That day at the hospital, there was a special ribbon cutting ceremony to officially announce the launch of the child life playroom in the pediatric units. Believe it or not, when Mattie started treatment at Georgetown there was NO playroom. The addition of a playroom was a God sent. Linda understood that Mattie thrived on tasks and responsibilities. So she asked Mattie if he would like to cut the ribbon during the ceremony. Literally Mattie cut the ribbon with all the chief executives of the hospital standing behind him. Mattie loved it!


Quote of the day: To me a birthday means celebrating the presence of an individual in our lives. ~ Meena Bajaj 


In June of 2016, we became the God parents of baby Charlotte. Charlotte's parents worked with Peter. They are from Peru and their entire family lives there. So it was an honor to be asked to serve as her God parents. 

Today we hosted a birthday luncheon for Charlotte, who is turning three. Time has a way of flying by, as she seems like she was just a baby a minute ago. Naturally when we are around other children, we have the insight of what it takes to be parents. Despite the fact that Mattie is no longer with us, what we learned from Mattie follows us everywhere.

Charlotte did a great job at the table and actually tried all the food presented to her. She is very different from Mattie in this way and in some others. I don't think Peter and I ever had a peaceful meal with Mattie until perhaps he entered kindergarten. With Mattie there had to be challenges, games, and lots of stimulation at the table, otherwise, he would disengage and not eat. 

A beautiful face and I think Charlotte had a good time today. Which of course included gift opening!

Not only did Charlotte carefully open her gifts, but then she played with each one of them with me. It was fun to see how she interacted with the gifts I picked out for her. 

This is Daniel and Eric. They are friends of Charlotte's and came to the luncheon today with their parents. Sunny absolutely loved the attention!

Charlotte loved playing on the piano! I find it fascinating how kids gravitate to music. Mattie did too! Which is why our neighbor who moved out years ago, insisted on giving us her piano for FREE. She wanted Mattie to learn to play. So to me, this will always be Mattie's piano. 

I have to say this was the best chocolate cake I have ever made. It was absolutely delicious and moist. Not to mention easy to do! I added fresh mashed raspberries in between the cake layers and it was a wonderful addition. 

I love the look on Peter and Charlotte's faces! 

Peter snapped a photo of all of us together!