Monday, May 18, 2020

Monday, May 18, 2020

Tonight's picture was taken on May 10, 2009. It was at the Mattie March, an event his support community planned for Mattie. It seemed like hundreds of people from all of our communities united on this day. Mattie was surrounded by his close friends, who stayed with him most of the day. Next to Mattie was Charlotte (who he deemed was his girlfriend) and Campbell. Campbell was behind the wheelchair, helping to push it. Robbie was a child life intern at the hospital, who had grown fond of Mattie and they had a wonderful rapport. Notice though that Mattie had a cup in his lap. This cup contained tent moth caterpillars that they found around the track. You might have thought that the cup held fluid, but anyone who knew Mattie, understood that he was all about exploring nature and was fascinated by bugs. 


Quote of the day: Today's coronavirus update from Johns Hopkins. 

• number of people who were diagnosed with the virus: 1,508,308
• number of people who died from the virus: 90,347

For the next several days, I will share photos with you. Photos NOT taken by our professional photographer, but photos Mattie Miracle Walk supporters sent us yesterday. In many ways these photos are priceless and I am looking forward to creating a virtual walk video highlighting the energy of the day. 

Orange spirit was seen across the land!

My friend Ann used our walk hashtag to decorate her front door. 

Our friend Michelle decorated her front lawn. Mattie and Michelle's daughter were in preschool class together. Many of our core supporters and friends, I met in  that amazing preschool. 

Our friend Mary's side fence! Beautiful no? Mary is also a mom I met at Mattie's preschool. 

Mary had a BIG orange M on her front yard! Mattie would have approved. 

My friend Tina had orange and yellow butterfly streamers!

What I also loved about yesterday was seeing people with their pets! Dogs, cats, and even an iguana got into the orange spirit. This is Abby and Oliver!

A pooch in Colorado ready to go out on his family's walk!

Miss Daisy

Our friends the Putnams. Do you see the lizard on John's shirt? Mattie went to preschool with John. Now John is taller than his mom. Do you see Abby? If you look closely she is holding her pet rat! 

Our friend Grant, with his son and dog. Grant's company, Ostendio, is a long time corporate sponsor of our Walk. 

Tricia's family and doggies! As many of you know, Tricia was Mattie's favorite nurse. Tricia and her family have never missed a walk. Mike, Tricia's husband, died in November of 2019, and he is sorely missed by Mattie Miracle. 

Helen and her neighbor's dog in Massachusetts. Both walking for Mattie Miracle. 

This is Jenny. She lives in Ohio and she was one of Mattie's amazing nurses. Jenny registers EVERY year for the Walk. She is always with us in spirit and she was thrilled to be able to participate this year.  

Our friends the Laytons, in Tampa. Walking and showing their orange spirit. 

Our friend Lori and her husband, daughter, Tessa (the dog) and Theo (the cat). Lori makes the miracles happen for us. She is a leading researcher and clinician who specializes in the psychosocial care of children with cancer. Lori never misses a walk. 

Marisa and kitty, Theo!

Our friend Mary and Oliver the dog. Oliver has a Mattie Miralce cowbell around his neck. We use these cowbells to start all of our live walks. 

Here is Lucky! The mascot for the Mattie Miracle walking team, Fenway Fenatics! 

Patty and Eddie in Ohio! Holding up a Mattie Miracle sign. 

Our friend Peggy's dogs. Baxter and Clara!

This is Champ!

Our friend Vonnique with her dog. 

We can't forget our felines. My friend Junko has two cats. Her daughter, Bethie dressed them up and snapped some great photos. 

Here's the second kitty!

This is Bob Weiman (the Magic Man) and his family! 

I have to say this maybe our first event in which all the pets came out and were part of our day. So really it was a walk for the entire family.