Tonight's picture was taken in May of 2009. It was the Mattie March, an event Team Mattie planned at Mattie's school track. It was an amazing event with over 500 people in attendance. That event set the stage for our Mattie Miracle Walk. Next to Mattie are two of my students, Ariel and Tess. Ariel is now a nursing professional and to this day, we are still in touch. She is a Foundation supporter and my friend. I am not sure what I did right back then when teaching, but I am lucky to have made beautiful and lasting connections with some of my students.
Quote of the day: A single act of kindness is like a drop of oil on a patch of dry skin—seeping, spreading, and affecting more than the original need. ~ Richelle E. Goodrich
I got up at 5am and it is now 9pm, and I am still working. So I am getting a little punchy at this point! I went to bed around 1am. It is the only time in the house that there is quiet and peace and therefore I can concentrate. At 1am, I wrote out what I wanted to say in my recorded greeting to supporters! I have to tell you I thought about blowing off this greeting! Part of me figured.... who watches it or even cares? But at the end of the day, I care! My efforts are directly aligned with my love for Mattie. I will always go the extra mile for my son.
So at 1am, Indie was getting ticked off at me because I wasn't settling down, and my head was flooded with all sorts of thoughts. Ironically when I am in this state, I can't string two words together. Which is why I knew I had to spend time to think about what I was going to say. I couldn't just turn on the video camera and go! At one time, when I was teaching, I had NO PROBLEM just talking off the cuff. Now, I am worn down by my life's circumstances.
Any case I got up at 5am, because I wanted to get showered and dressed and then go downstairs before anyone was up, in order to figure out how to record a greeting and upload it to YouTube. Keep in mind that technology is NOT my bag baby! NOT ONE BIT. I recorded what I said, only twice. I kept the second recording but then I had to figure out how to publish it and save it to my computer. When I am telling you it was close to impossible, I am not kidding, but I kept at it and figured out a way around the system. I have included my four minute greeting on Facebook. My goal was to thank supporters and let them know that we would be no where without their generosity and commitment to our mission. You can look at it yourself and come to your own conclusions..........
With my dad's hospitalization this week, and pulling an all nighter on Wednesday at the ER, I am worn out. I also think Walk day is far more complex now for me without my other half. For me it has been like.... and then there were none. I miss sharing my life with the person I thought would always be a part of my life! That said, I have the best of friends and supporters. Over the last couple of days, I have been sending out targeted emails to supporters, to encourage them to donate and help us get closer to our financial goal. Given the response I have been receiving from these emails, it reminds me.... I AM NOT ALONE!
