A Remembrance Video of Mattie

Thank you for keeping Mattie's memory alive!

Dear Mattie Blog Readers,

It means a great deal to me that you take the time to write and to share your thoughts, feelings, and reflections on Mattie's battle and death. Your messages are very meaningful and help support me through very challenging times. I am forever grateful. As my readers know, I promised to write the blog for a year after Mattie's death, which would mean that I could technically have stopped writing on September 9, 2010. However, like my journey with grief there is so much that still needs to be processed and fortunately I have a willing support network still committed to reading. Therefore, the blog continues on. If I should find the need to stop writing, I assure you I will give you advanced notice. In the mean time, thank you for reading, thank you for having the courage to share this journey with me, and most importantly thank you for keeping Mattie's memory alive.


As Mattie would say, Ooga Booga (meaning, I LOVE YOU)! Vicki



May 12, 2025

Monday, May 12, 2025

Monday, May 12, 2025

Tonight's picture was taken in May of 2009. Mattie presented me with a clay vase that he made in the clinic, that was filled with tissue paper flowers. Mattie had been working on this project for weeks. But ironically I did not know exactly what he was doing, nor did I realize it was a Mother's Day gift. This vase means a great deal to me and to this day, it sits in our family room. Whenever I see it, which is daily, it takes me back to this moment in time. When Mattie's art therapists were working with Mattie, little did I realize that all of his art pieces would serve as part of his legacy. Art was a God sent for us in the hospital, as it engaged Mattie's hands, eyes, mind, and spirit. Mattie's artistic creations provided him a safe outlet in order to express feelings and fears. Now Mattie's art is therapeutic for me, as it keeps his memory alive. 


Quote of the day: Some things in life cannot be fixed. They can only be carried. ~ Megan Devine


It is now 10:30pm, and the day was a blur! When I tell you that I don't stop moving from the moment my feet hit the floor in the morning, I am not kidding. This morning, after dropping my dad off at his memory care center, I took my mom into the city for her hair and nail appointment. During this visit, I also got my hair cut. That may not sound like a big deal, but it actually is! I haven't been cutting my hair on a regular basis for years. Now I have been educated that this isn't a good idea, as the hair needs to be cut to remain strong and healthy. Sitting still can be hard for me, but the woman who works with me and my mom is a peach. I learned a little about her and her family today. For me, getting to know people personally is important. Service of any kind is NOT just a transaction for me, but it is a way to build a relationship. Relationships are important to me, and always have been. Which is ironic, given what has occurred to one of most precious relationships in my life. 

On top of everything else I juggle, Mattie Miracle is knee deep into fundraising season! It is hard to believe that I have been running the Foundation for 16 years! Being single, gives me little flexibility to do more fundraising. There is only one of me and there are days I need to cut myself some slack, as I care for two people 24/7, manage a house, juggle bills, and keep Mattie's Foundation up and running.

Tonight after cooking, serving, and cleaning up dinner, I had to go outside to throw out garage and take it to the curb. While out there, I noticed more issues with our outdoor lights! So literally I went into the bushes and thank goodness I did. One of the lights had frayed and I literally could smell smoke. I ran inside, got a flashlight and pliers and pulled the light bulb out of the fixture. Thankfully Steve, the fellow who helps me outside, is coming on Wednesday, because I have a running list for him. Now if I could only clone Steve!  

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