Sunday, February 14, 2016

Sunday, February 14, 2016

Tonight's picture was taken on Valentine's Day of 2009. This was our last Valentine's together. That day, Mattie worked with his art therapists to create many Valentine's Day surprises for me. I was banned from the child life playroom while the creating was going on. However, once Mattie was done, I was invited back and surprised with a paper crown of hearts and a box filled with Valentine's. Mattie's art therapist, Jenny, captured this moment on camera. 

Of course on that, Jenny also snapped by favorite Valentine photo of Mattie and me.




















Quote of the day: Love is our true destiny. We do not find the meaning of life by ourselves alone - we find it with another. ~ Thomas Merton

Valentine's Day can remind us of who is missing in our lives and the terrible void that can never be filled from that loss. It isn't always a day filled with love, roses, and hearts. For parents who lost children to cancer, my thoughts are with you. I know Mattie may not be physically with us, but his spirit and presence remains with us always. This was a photo of Mattie in the hospital for Valentine's day surrounded by cards from his classmates and this giant lollipop. 

We have a very special Christmas Cactus. It blooms at Christmas and ALWAYS on Valentine's day!!!

I had a special See's Candy delivery from my friend, Angie, in Rhode Island. Angie and I met in graduate school at Boston College and we have been friends ever since. Angie remembers me on EVERY Valentine's day because she is aware of a LOVE that will forever be missing in my life.