Tonight's picture was taken in October of 2004. Mattie was two and a half years old and was at his first Fall Festival. I honestly never went to such an event as a kid, so for me it was just as eye opening as it was for Mattie. At the festival, there were all sorts of cut out Halloween shapes and Peter snapped a photo of us in front of this pumpkin. Mattie loved the color orange and all things made of pumpkin. It is ironic because prior to having Mattie, I disliked pumpkin. But because he was so enamored with it, I grew to love it too.
Quote of the day: The day the roles reverse is foreign. It’s a clumsy dance of love and responsibility, not wanting to cross any lines of respect. It’s honoring this person who gave their life to you—not to mention literally gave you life—and taking their fragile body in your hands like a newborn, tending to their every need. ~ Lisa Goich-Andreadis
This morning I opened up my e-mail box and found a link sent to me from our friend, Marisa. We have known Marisa since she was a student in high school. It is hard to believe that she just got married (where does the time go?). Marisa got to know Mattie as he was battling cancer and once he died, Marisa ran our Foundation's awareness walk bake sale for 10 years. Marisa not only sent me the link, but said when she read this posting, she thought of us and Mattie Miracle.
I think we live in a complex, complicated, and sometimes depressing world. Therefore, when we read positivity and hear about how others live their lives devoted to helping others, it is inspiring. This particular priest keeps a "sunshine file." I absolutely love the notion and in a way, I saved many letters and messages sent to me during Mattie's cancer journey and death. Some of these letters are very moving and touching and provided me hope when I thought life was over.
What I love about this priest's posting are three things: 1) it is important to cherish words, feelings, and connections with others (as they are worth saving in whatever format you have them in... words, recordings, photos, etc.), 2) thinking outside one's self actually can provide its own sunshine. His example was providing a child with cancer a cabbage patch doll, and the unforgettable Christmas gift this was for a dying child. I know that running Mattie's Foundation is what has re-connected me with the world and has provided me with a direction forward. It is through helping others that we find ourselves. I truly believe this! and 3) I wonder if being crabby and grouchy, as he highlights, is a choice? I am on the fence about this, but I do think attitude is very important. I know I have had and continue to have my own trials and tribulations, but through it all, I try to persevere, learn and grow. Do I have my off days? Absolutely, maybe off weeks! But I also know that the only thing I can control in life is my reaction to things.
Reading this short link that came to me today by e-mail perked me up. It is always lovely when someone thinks about you and equally lovely to know that the special sentiments in such a link, reminded our friend of us!
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