Tonight's picture was taken in February of 2009. This was not an atypical sight on the fifth floor of the Hospital when Mattie was there. Mattie had a way of transforming his physical therapy sessions. I believe therapy for Mattie was not only physically challenging, exhausting, but at times painful. So when members of his hospital family came to participate and join us, this inspired him! The goal was to get Mattie to walk using his walker and forming a conga line with a tail of plastic colorful cones made something very difficult more bearable, fun, and always memorable! There were times when we also did physical therapy in the hospital hallways, playing ABBA music. Literally the music caused office doors to open, people would pop their heads into the hallway, they would be smiling, and would land up watching Mattie's physical therapy session.
Quote of the day: It is not what you do for your children, but what you have taught them to do for themselves, that will make them successful human beings. ~ Ann Landers
When I reflect on Ann Landers' quote, I think about how much Mattie learned from us in such a short period of time. Time and time again, I hear people say less than flattering comments about only children. Only children have a bad reputation. After all, people think only children are selfish, self focused, spoiled, can't make friends, they mature too quickly, and they are bossy. In many ways these are all myths. I am an only child, who raised an only child, and many of my closest friends are only children. We are our own special club in a way, who usually understand each other right away.
I distinctly remember one of Mattie's kindergarten teachers telling me a story about him. The experience remained fresh in Mattie's teacher's mind because he thought it was so telling about him. One day during lunch time, the kindergarten students were moving chairs around to sit with one another. However, it turned out with this particular set up one of the children remained sitting alone. Mattie observed this and felt badly for his classmate. Mattie could have stayed quiet or went about having his lunch with his friends. But that wasn't Mattie. Mattie was an advocate. A quality I want to say that he learned from me. Mattie was a quick study. Mattie encouraged his classmates to rearrange tables and chairs so that everyone could be included, and that is indeed what happened. Mind you I only heard this story after Mattie had died.
Mattie died at the tender age of 7, so I am not exactly sure of what we really taught him. When I hear stories like the one Mattie's teacher shared with me, I see yet another side of Mattie, a side which I may not have necessarily seen in a non-school environment. In all reality the Landers' quote goes both ways. What parents learn from their children make them more successful and in some cases extraordinary human beings. Children teach us about patience, responsibility, forgetting about our own needs, and what it means to truly love another human being in an indescribable way.
1 comment:
good morning ~ i love yesterday's quote ~ It is not what you do for your children, but what you have taught them to do for themselves, that will make them successful human beings. Undoubtedly the story Mattie's kindergarten teacher shared with you, was a a reflection of what you and your husband taught Mattie. I have had several "only child" friends, i was always a little envious of how independent they were, what mean is how they never seemed to be alone in a crowd, and made a point to meet and make friends. Whereas I, the youngest of 4 children, waited for people to come to me ( at least when i was a child, not so much now ). My Fiance, the oldest of 4 children, walks right up to anyone and everyone. When i read your blog i picture what's happening. While i never met your beautiful son, i see a sweet boy moving chairs around and making the solo child no longer solo. I love it. Its sad you had to learn the story after Mattie's passing. Teachers should share those stories with parents, always.
have a good day ~ stay warm
lb
Post a Comment