Mattie's Blog... When Tragedy Inspires Hope: Saturday, August 19, 2023

Saturday, August 19, 2023

Tonight's picture was taken in August of 2008. It was during Mattie's first admission to the in-patient unit. Which in and of itself was an OVERWHELMING experience. Transitioning from your own home and those freedoms to living in a shoe box of a hospital room, with people constantly coming in and out of your room (day and night), not to mention being surrounded by life threatening illnesses and hearing cries and other issues within the surrounding rooms, was a complete nightmare. Which was why the woman in this photo was a God sent. Linda was Mattie's child life specialist. We were introduced to her the first week Mattie started treatment. I am not sure I could have managed without her, and I know Mattie most certainly would not have been able to cope. That day, Linda set up a painting area outside Mattie's room, in the hallway of the pediatric intensive care unit. Mattie took to Linda and she learned right away, Mattie was all about creating and building. This photo captures the beginning of a beautiful friendship!

Quote of the day: I like this place and could willingly waste my time in it. ~ William Shakespeare

My neighbor came over this morning to deliver me another freshly baked pie. I watch my neighbor's house when they go away and the pie was to thank me for collecting sticks, branches, and other debris from their yard while they were gone. I am a pie fan, so I happily work for pie!

This afternoon we took our parents to Chez Francois. I was introduced to this restaurant years ago, by a fellow preschool mom. She took me there for my birthday! I was in love with the setting as soon as I got out of the car! It is just a very magical setting, surrounded by trees and gardens!

When you make a reservation at this restaurant, you are guaranteed an experience. Because it is a four course menu. So literally we were there for four hours. They start you off with an amuse bouche, of lentil soup.

Then I had a trio of salmon. Ironically I am not a big salmon fan, but smoked salmon is another story. Prior to my pregnancy with Mattie, I loved all kinds of fish. Then while pregnant the smell of fish made me instantly sick. Unfortunately my stomach never recovered post pregnancy and to this day, I can only eat certain fish.

The restaurant grows many of its own vegetables and herbs. So this was a garden tomato salad. Unfortunately I stopped snapping photos after that, but I also had soft shelled crabs and for dessert, we had a souffle and plum tart with cinnamon ice cream.