Mattie's Blog... When Tragedy Inspires Hope: Thursday, August 15, 2024

Thursday, August 15, 2024

Tonight's picture was taken in August of 2005. Mattie was three years old and that week, he was in Los Angeles visiting my parents. Mattie absolutely loved visiting the La Brea Tar Pits and Museum. The beauty of these pits is that they are still conducting archeological digs, which Mattie found fascinating to observe! I remember these moments in time, and I did not even realize how lucky I was to be living a normal life.

Quote of the day: You will never know the pain until you look into the eyes of someone you love, and they look away. ~ Unknown

In honor of my parent's 64th anniversary, I took them out for lunch in Great Falls, VA. I have been dining at this restaurant for years. In fact, every birthday and anniversary, Peter and I celebrated at this special restaurant. The setting is so beautiful to me, and even though I associate it with Peter, it hasn't stopped me from returning. What I do know is the Peter I knew and loved for 35 years, is and will always be a part of me. He may have changed, but I know the reality of our life together. I couldn't help but look around the restaurant and see so many happy men with their significant others. Again, I don't understand how this abandonment has happened to me, as I never saw it coming.

My parents have known each other for 71 years! It is quite remarkable and I know my mom enjoyed the outing. My dad is another story. He can eat something and two minutes later, he has NO memory of it! Case in point, on Tuesday night, as I was cleaning up the dinner dishes, he asked me..... would it be easier if we went out of dinner? Mind you he just ate, he was still sitting at the table, and I was actively cleaning up dishes! Sometimes, I ask myself.... is it worth taking him out to eat? As long as I can, I will, but it is a feat, and even with Imodium on board, I took him to the bathroom twice, and once he needed to be completely changed.