Saturday, September 14, 2013

Saturday, September 14, 2013

Tonight's picture was taken in September of 2007. We all went to Nat's park that day together. I am sure someone gave Peter these tickets, since going to watch baseball games was not something we did as a family. Though Peter loves baseball, Mattie and I were more interested in the people watching and the stores within the Park. So we were a great pair together, but I am sure for Peter, we weren't the best of company on a game day. Needless to say, both of my boys had their Nat's hats on and were full of smiles, most likely for different reasons, but they were happy to be together. Regardless of what was going on around us, Mattie was always a priority for Peter. Mattie trumped baseball, golf, going out with friends, and the list could go on. I never had to remind Peter of his role and responsibility as a dad. It just came naturally to him.   


Quote of the day: Trees are as close to immortality as the rest of us ever come. ~ Karen Joy Fowler

Today we visited Mattie's school and also toured around Alexandria, VA in order to see a live Yellowwood Tree, a Red Maple Tree, and a Sweet Gum Tree. Seeing the actual trees was VERY helpful. After seeing the Sweet Gum tree, we both were able to eliminate it as a possible candidate for a memorial tree. I love the Red Maple tree, but there are actually many trees like this quite close by to where Mattie's tree sits. So from that perspective it would blend in and not be unique if we selected a Red Maple. So Peter and I officially decided on the Yellowwood Tree. It will be unique just like Mattie, it will produce flowers in the spring (which is unusual for its location on campus, since it is surrounded by non-ornamental trees), and in the Fall the tree's leaves will glow GOLD/YELLOW. Yellow is one of our Mattie Miracle colors (since Mattie loved the SUN) and it will also serve as a reminder of childhood cancer awareness in the Fall. We took one last photo today of Mattie's Memorial Oak Tree. This tree lasted three years before it died. I know some could think there is meaning behind a memorial tree dying, in fact, some of you have expressed this to me. I am not sure I want to read into why Mattie's tree died, other than, like Mattie, it too contracted a disease. Diseases can kill and perhaps this is the moral message. Some things are beyond our control, so while alive and healthy, one needs to appreciate life and the opportunity this bestows upon us.

In front of Mattie's tree, sits this memorial plaque. On May 27, 2010, during a tree dedication ceremony, Mattie's tree became an established living monument on his elementary school campus. As the plaque indicates, the tree was donated to the school in Mattie's honor by the parents and children of his class (2020).

Peter brought big loppers today to the campus to help snip off several of the higher branches which we could not reach even on a ladder. These higher branches held the beautiful acorn shaped birdhouse you see in this photo and butterfly wind chimes that sound angelic when the wind is blowing. Peter's parents gave us the acorn shaped birdhouse and each year we are sure to find a nest inside of it. Birds love Mattie's tree and it is quite clear from looking inside the birdhouse, that a baby bird hatched within it. The photo illustrates all the items we removed from the tree today and they will now await their new home upon a Yellowwood. We have placed the birdhouse out on our deck for the time being since the nest inside the birdhouse is too beautiful to pull out and clean. I am sure our sparrow and finch friends will be checking out this new addition!