Wednesday, March 9, 2016

Wednesday, March 9, 2016

Tonight's picture was taken in March of 2005. Mattie was almost three years old! This was another classic Mattie photo. Mattie loved to build bridges and obstacle courses with just about anything. So he took his chairs, turned them over and inside this arrangement he started parking his toy cars. But what gets me about this photo was Mattie's expression. To me Mattie's expression was saying.... I'm too busy to pose for a photo, but I will at least give you a smile.  If you asked Peter, he would say it was because he took the photo and not me. Peter always joked with me that Mattie smiled differently and looked directly at me if I was the photographer. I don't know, but when Peter says that it always makes me smile. 


Quote of the day: We can all make a difference in the lives of others in need, because it is the most simple of gestures that make the most significant of differences. ~ Miya Yamanouchi

The collection for the April Item Drive has begun. I spent several hours sorting the items that were donated to us by the Arlington Aerials Gymnastics Team. 

Five years ago, we started this tradition. I wanted to find a way to acknowledge Mattie's April 4th birthday. It is hard to know what to do when you lose your child. It isn't like people are going to celebrate with us or come to a birthday party. In fact as time goes by, it is rare for those around us to even talk about Mattie and where he would be today if he were alive. So instead, I knew if Mattie's birthday and life were going to be acknowledged there would have to be an event that people could contribute to. Not just contribute.... but to help others living with childhood cancer. 

Which is why the free snack and item cart that we sponsor at MedStar Georgetown University Hospital stocks more than just candy and nutritional snacks. It also holds toiletry items and keurig cups filled with coffee (a highly sought after item when living in a hospital caring for a child). When parents race to the hospital in an emergency with their child, many times toiletries are forgotten at home. Which is why having access to such items is considered a true gift. We are grateful to our supporters for making our item drive a success each year. Another tradition I have is I always take a photo of Mattie with all the items accumulated in his memory.