Monday, February 24, 2020

Monday, February 24, 2020

Tonight's picture was taken 16 years ago today. That weekend we took Mattie to the Natural History Museum in Washington, DC. They had an interactive exhibit with screens on the floor. As you can see Peter was pointing out things and Mattie was interested. Mattie was a very inquisitive child and wanted to understand the world around him. I knew he loved animals, so I figured the Natural History Museum would engage his mind. I never had the opportunity to take Mattie to an actual art museum. As I did not think this would have intrigued him. However, given his propensity for art, I do think this would have been something he would have appreciated as he got older. 


Quote of the day: Always give without remembering and always receive without forgetting. ~  Brian Tracy


Today I went to Mattie's hospital to push our Mattie Miracle Snack and Item Cart around the pediatric units. I had the opportunity to see Mattie's favorite HEM/ONC nurse, Tricia, as well as two other nurses who cared for Mattie. It saddens me that the majority of people who cared for Mattie are no longer working at the hospital. So in many ways, the hospital is becoming like a foreign place to me. 

However, as Katie (the director of child life) and I pushed the cart around today, I had the opportunity to see just how important this cart is to families living in the hospital, while caring for their child. One mom practically jumped out of her child's room chair when she saw the cart. Another mom wasn't having a good day and nothing on the cart seemed to interest her. Until she saw the kind of candy she loves. I swear her whole attitude and demeanor changed when she picked up those lifesaver sweet and sour gummies! Her reaction may sound silly, but in all reality, I understand where she is coming from. Which is why we started the carts in the first place. When friends would bring me chocolate each day, it was like winning the lottery. It was then and there that my chocolate addiction started. To this day, it is very hard for me to go a day without a piece of chocolate. 

While at the hospital, I bumped into the director of the art therapy program. She mentioned to me that she came across some art pieces in the clinic that belonged to Mattie. She wanted to know if I wanted them! Naturally you know I DID! 

The first one she calls 'mini Mattie.' Apparently Mattie and his clinic friends created this clay fellow in a wheelchair. I have absolutely no memory of it! How can that be? Maybe because Mattie was very prolific in his art creations that year, so some things fell off my radar scope. 

But look at this stunning mosaic! At first I did not think this was Mattie's piece! Mainly because I don't remember it or even working on it! Yet when I turned this piece of wood over, Peter's handwriting is on the back and it says "Mattie Brown." This beautiful sun, sailboat and beach scene mosaic was created by Peter and Mattie! Peter remembers it. I can't wait to hang it up! To me, it is very special!