Monday, June 4, 2012Tonight's picture was taken in May of 2007. One weekend we took Mattie to Lancaster, Pennsylvania. The home of the Pennsylvania Dutch. Mattie loved the farms and was particularly interested in the wagons. It was on that trip that Mattie and I were introduced to apple butter, and we both absolutely loved it! So much so that when we came home, Mattie wanted apple butter on all bread products he ate!
Quote of the day: If we are intended for great ends, we are called to great hazards. ~ Cardinal John Henry Newman
My friend Charlie sent me this quote today, and it absolutely resonated with me. I most certainly could have done without childhood cancer in my life, seeing Mattie suffer and die from this disease, and be forced to continue living in my current state. To me, Mattie's cancer and his death are a "great hazard." I never claim to be the only one faced with such tragedy. I am very aware of the multitude of travesties that surround us in the world, in our neighborhoods, and that impact individuals each day. However, since this blog is about Mattie, his battle, and the battle that Peter and I continue to live with, I feel it is safe to say that this is my "great hazard." From my experience, great hazards can make one passionate about an issue and cause, and thereby motivate one to achieve great ends.
In my mind, the Mattie Miracle Cancer Foundation had a very successful year, and as such, I deem this a "great end" or a great beginning as the case may be. I view the success of the third annual Walk as a small victory, since we were able to meet our financial goal and be able to strongly support the Mattie Miracle Childlife Program Fund at Georgetown University Hospital. A fund that helps hundreds of children and families a year. However, for me great victories do not come without consequences. Consequences on my health for example.
The Foundation isn't only a job for me, it has deep seeded emotional ties, which can of course make me passionate about the subject matter, but it can also be taxing on my mind and body, unlike any other job I have previously held. Despite being on antibiotics for 10 days, last night, all my symptoms came back and I was unable to sleep. So this time, I saw my doctor and filled her in on my last two weeks. I am back on antibiotics, a different one, in hopes that it will relieve me of my sinus infection.
Because of how I am feeling, I am signing off for tonight. But I did receive all of our professional Walk photos, and hopefully I will be able to comb through them soon and share them! They are absolutely fantastic and capture the beauty and spirit of the event.
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