Sunday, November 10, 2019

Sunday, November 10, 2019

Tonight's picture was taken in November of 2006. As you can see, Mattie was doing a favorite activity.... painting in our living room. One thing I learned early on with Mattie and that was I had to engage his mind and his body. Otherwise, he would get bored. Mattie loved to build and create things. He particularly loved three dimensional puzzles and models like this dinosaur. Despite Mattie's need to be busy, he was very neat and contained his paint to the area he was working in. Which to me was always remarkable how he understood certain things without me having to tell him. 



Quote of the day: For it is in giving that we receive. ~ St. Francis of Assisi

Peter and I could have never made it today without the amazing volunteers who showed up to help us. Actually people truly amaze me. Several of the volunteers who found out about our Candy Drive on a local listserv, became dedicated volunteers this year! So much so, that they brought their entire family to help us today. Originally we were planning on taking the day off since deliveries start tomorrow. But given the volume of candy that came in, we couldn't process all of it yesterday. In addition, we had three more deliveries today! All these boxes that Peter was standing next to are filled with sorted candy. 

Our board member Brett delivered sorted candy to us today. His wife is the Director of Take the Stage Performance Company and her students collect and sort for us every year. 

Brett took this cute photo of us. We estimate our collection at 18,000 pounds!

The amazing group of volunteers! I can't tell you how much candy they processed through today. 

Left to Right (on the left side): Caroline, Lulu, Maria, Megan, Brooklyn, and Brayden

Left to right (on the right side): Vicki, Abby, Mary, Peter, and Mike

One of the highlights of doing the Candy Drive at my friend's, Ali, home, is that I get to spend time with her children. This cutie is Charlotte. Charlotte and I get along splendidly, as we are a lot alike. 

This is Parker. Another cutie. 

This fellow under the jack-o-lantern is Grayson. Ali's youngest. He is as cute as a button. All three children came out to the garage daily to help sort candy and to interact with us. My friend Margaret, who died of ALS, would be very happy to know that I am getting to know her grandchildren and that they are helping with Mattie Miracle work. 

I end with this photo! Someone donated two banana flavored lollipops with scorpions inside of them. The arachnids were dead, but STILL!!!