Tonight's picture was taken on September 3 of 2007. This was the first day of school for Mattie. Kindergarten to be exact. It was a big day for him and for me. It was all day school and the first day Mattie and I were going to be separated from each other for six hours. I wasn't sure how he was going to like school, his teachers, the other kids, and of course I wasn't sure if he was going to be able to advocate for himself. I was used to being Mattie's fieriest advocate, that in a way I was a bit lost when he went to kindergarten, and I was worried he wouldn't know how to stand up for himself without me. But we both managed in our own way. I remember an incident that occurred while Mattie was in kindergarten. It occurred in the middle of the school year. Mattie was pushed on the playground by one of his classmates and pinned down to the ground. Mattie in turn actually hit the boy with a shovel, right in the face, in order to break free. Mattie was a non-violent child by nature, but if provoked and cornered apparently he knew how to set things straight. Naturally I was upset to learn what had transpired, but the irony was Mattie's school seemed to know their players and they assessed Mattie as a non-trouble maker. Which was good because otherwise, I am sure we could have easily been sitting in the head of the school's office discussing the next steps on Mattie's behavior management. As I look at this photo, I always reflect on the fact that I never would have guessed at the time that this was going to be our first and last first day of school picture ever!
Quote of the day: If you aren't willing to fight for what you believe, do not cry about what you will lose. ~ Unknown
On check presentation days, we could bring in a cake or have cupcakes from a bakery. But it wouldn't have the same meaning. When we present the check, we are in essence giving Georgetown a gift. A gift that ties to the incredible work they did trying to save Mattie's life, and we want to support their ability to meet the emotional needs of other children and families within their Hospital. But the cupcakes are my personal symbol of my love for Mattie. This is what I did in those last final months and weeks to try to give Mattie strength to help him along.
I think about it this way.....
we present the check in the Hospital Mattie was treated at,
we present the check to Linda, his child life specialist,
the check signing ceremony takes place in the child life playroom (a room Mattie played in often)..................................................................
therefore the sweetness of Mattie's cupcakes somehow completes this whole picture! These tasty treats keep us grounded and remind us of who brought us to Georgetown in the first place and what continues to keep us focused on our mission and the work we are doing.
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