Tonight's picture was taken in February of 2009. Mattie was in the outpatient clinic at the hospital and pictured with him were Jenny and Jessie, Mattie's art therapists. I have no idea what I would have done without these incredible women. True blessings! That day, they were working on designing a welcome sign to the inpatient pediatric units of the hospital. They wanted to add a child's handprint to the sign! Mattie wasn't interested, until they suggested.... a footprint! That notion, Mattie liked a lot! You can see Mattie's foot was being painted red and the final product is below.
Quote of the day: The purpose of life is not to be happy. It is to be useful, to be honorable, to be compassionate, to have it make some difference that you have lived and lived well. ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson
Given what I balance each day, it is quite possible that you may think that Mattie Miracle isn't a priority. I can assure you that isn't the case! My world could be imploding, but there is NO WAY, I would ever forget my second baby, the Foundation. I always do some sort of Foundation work each day. Some days it is more labor intensive and other days it could look like answering correspondence from families in need of assistance.
Today seemed like the kind of day that highlighted Emerson's quote! I wholeheartedly believe that being happy is overrated. In fact, I am not quite sure what that trite word means. But to live a useful life, a life that helps others, and makes a difference is what gives our lives purpose. Out of the blue, I received several emails today about Mattie Miracle. Emails from researchers and families.
One researcher based in Boston told me that Mattie Miracle's research grant enabled her team to create a blueprint to help siblings of children with cancer. This blueprint is now in the process of being implemented at two hospitals! To hear that this blueprint wouldn't exist without Mattie Miracle is very humbling! The blueprint has the capacity to help siblings, who in many cases are the unforgotten ones in the cancer treatment journey as research indicates siblings of children with cancer have long term psychosocial issues.
Another email was from a dad whose child is a recipient of one of our M&M Wishes. His family has endured the impossible, as his daughter is facing an aggressive brain cancer diagnosis. His daughter wanted to go on a family trip to Great Wolf Lodge in the Poconos. When I told him we were granting this wish, his excitement could be felt through my computer. He views us as a blessing and the miracle his family needed.
I know all too well how a gift of kindness can transform one's day! In fact, when Mattie was in cancer treatment, I kept a stash of gifts that his support community gave us. During difficult moments, and there were many each and every day, I would surprise Mattie with a gift. These gifts provided diversions from pain, from fear, and from thinking about cancer. I will never forget Team Mattie's kindness and generosity, and in a way Mattie Miracle's M&M Wishes program is a larger scale version of what our care team provided to us (NOTE: the M&M Wishes program started in 2022, and was created in memory of our board member Margy. The M&M stands for Margy and Mattie. In two years, Mattie Miracle has awarded $40,000 worth of wishes to 35 children with cancer). As I always say, Mattie was my life's greatest teacher. I learned so much from him, and his journey guides our mission, our activities, and our programs.
So if I ever question.... what is my purpose? I need to pull out the many emails I have received over the years from the childhood cancer community! Their words and feedback matter to me. But that said, when I am in doubt, I always go back to Mattie. He is like my North Star, always guiding the way. He may not physically be alive, but his spirit and legacy are alive and well in his Foundation.
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