Tonight's picture was taken in March of 2006. As you can see Mattie was sitting next to a flower pot. Peter and I purchased this flower pot at Mattie's preschool auction. The pot was painted by Mattie's class and each child's fingerprint was stamped onto the rim of the flower pot. When I purchased this flower pot, I had no idea that it would be with me longer than Mattie. I have traces of Mattie all around me, but yet no Mattie.
Quote of the day: There are things that we don't want to happen but have to accept, things we don't want to know but have to learn, and people we can't live without but have to let go. ~ Author Unknown
I had the opportunity to meet up with my friend Tina for lunch. As my readers know, Tina is the person who hosted a successful art show last week, of which a portion of the proceeds went to the Mattie Miracle Cancer Foundation. Tina and I met today to celebrate her birthday. Which was in February. But between Tina and myself, one of us was sick throughout this two month stretch making it impossible to get together. We rectified that today and had a delightful time talking about the art show and exchanging stories. When Tina handed me the proceeds check from Jill Steenhuis, the wonderful impressionist artist I shared with you last week, I was absolutely delighted! Delighted because it puts us closer to our financial goal of raising money to give to the Childlife department at Georgetown University Hospital. Specifically to hire a childlife specialist dedicated to helping children and families on scan and procedure days.
Along the way today, I stopped by the jewelry store where I buy most of my Pandora bracelet charms. While talking with the owner's daughter, she handed Tina and I mother's day charm books. She encouraged us to share these with our husbands and children, as a hint for a gift. Naturally that was an innocent enough statement, because honestly how many women are like me? Yes there are certainly other women who have lost a child to cancer, but we are definitely in the minority. Yet despite the innocent comment, I had to face again the fact that Mother's day is approaching and what this will mean for me. I was a mother, but I don't get mother's day cards and gifts anymore. Almost as if my role never existed!
lemonade stand outside their house. The proceeds of which will come to the Foundation!
I would like to end tonight's posting with a message I received from Donna (the wonderful kindergarten teacher I worked with for the past three weeks). Donna wrote, "At choice time, I put out paper for children to make a “spring” cut out collage. They readily use the term “cut outs.” The children were very comfortable with the idea that it could be whatever shape or color they wanted, thanks to you. Two of the children sidled up to each other and the two of them just started collaborating. I took the picture (I did not include it for privacy reasons) to show you how your teaching has transferred into other parts of their day. I told them that I wanted to take the picture for you because they were combining, collaboration and free expression in their art. Their conversations were precious."
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