Monday, June 13, 2016
Tonight's picture was taken in May of 2007, during Memorial Day weekend. That weekend we took Mattie to Amish Country in Pennsylvania. I had never been there myself, so it was a first for both of us. Mattie actually went on an Amish wagon ride, but we also saw this wagon on display and Mattie obliged me and posed for a photo! But I can tell by looking at his smile, that posing wasn't something he really wanted to be doing at that point in time.
Quote of the day: The most valuable gift you can receive is an honest friend. ~ Stephen Richards
Yesterday, Peter and I went to visit Mattie's Memorial Tree, located on the lower school of his campus. This is the third tree that has been planted, since the last two unfortunately died. However, as you can see this Yellowwood is a survivor and very hearty. In fact, it is SO voluminous up top when the leaves are on the tree that you can't see all the ornaments attached to the tree. But there are STILL there and of course when the wind blows, the tree still twinkles from all the wind chimes on it!
Peter and I weeded all around the tree and cut back the dead leaves from the tulips and daffodils that we planted from bulbs in the Fall. I also replaced the bow around the tree.
This is the adorable birdhouse that sits in Mattie's tree. As Peter jokes, this house is "OCCUPIED." There is a wren family that flies in and out of it. I have seen this before, but Peter got to see it for the first time yesterday. There was an actual wren in the house when we snapped this photo, but couldn't capture this fellow's head popping in and out.
Today, I met my friend for lunch. I became friends with Margy on Facebook almost a year ago. We have common Facebook friends and she worked in an outpatient clinic for many years helping children with cancer and their families, not to mention has run a successful childhood cancer non-profit for almost 20 years. Typically I do not become personal buddies with new people I do not know on Facebook, but with Margy we instantly clicked. Today Margy added this light up bird to our Mattie Memorial Garden at home. I can't wait to see him aglow tonight. This bird is surrounded by bushes that Mattie and Peter planted together years ago. When they originally planted them they were knee height. Now some of them are 10 feet tall.
Margy also added this pottery heart to my shelf collection. Inside the heart it says, "love" and of course the heart is orange. Our Mattie Miracle color! Beautiful gifts from a beautiful friend, and after the weekend I had, such a connection was necessary.
Tonight's picture was taken in May of 2007, during Memorial Day weekend. That weekend we took Mattie to Amish Country in Pennsylvania. I had never been there myself, so it was a first for both of us. Mattie actually went on an Amish wagon ride, but we also saw this wagon on display and Mattie obliged me and posed for a photo! But I can tell by looking at his smile, that posing wasn't something he really wanted to be doing at that point in time.
Quote of the day: The most valuable gift you can receive is an honest friend. ~ Stephen Richards
Yesterday, Peter and I went to visit Mattie's Memorial Tree, located on the lower school of his campus. This is the third tree that has been planted, since the last two unfortunately died. However, as you can see this Yellowwood is a survivor and very hearty. In fact, it is SO voluminous up top when the leaves are on the tree that you can't see all the ornaments attached to the tree. But there are STILL there and of course when the wind blows, the tree still twinkles from all the wind chimes on it!
Peter and I weeded all around the tree and cut back the dead leaves from the tulips and daffodils that we planted from bulbs in the Fall. I also replaced the bow around the tree.
This is the adorable birdhouse that sits in Mattie's tree. As Peter jokes, this house is "OCCUPIED." There is a wren family that flies in and out of it. I have seen this before, but Peter got to see it for the first time yesterday. There was an actual wren in the house when we snapped this photo, but couldn't capture this fellow's head popping in and out.
Today, I met my friend for lunch. I became friends with Margy on Facebook almost a year ago. We have common Facebook friends and she worked in an outpatient clinic for many years helping children with cancer and their families, not to mention has run a successful childhood cancer non-profit for almost 20 years. Typically I do not become personal buddies with new people I do not know on Facebook, but with Margy we instantly clicked. Today Margy added this light up bird to our Mattie Memorial Garden at home. I can't wait to see him aglow tonight. This bird is surrounded by bushes that Mattie and Peter planted together years ago. When they originally planted them they were knee height. Now some of them are 10 feet tall.
Margy also added this pottery heart to my shelf collection. Inside the heart it says, "love" and of course the heart is orange. Our Mattie Miracle color! Beautiful gifts from a beautiful friend, and after the weekend I had, such a connection was necessary.
1 comment:
Vicki,
THE MOST VALUABLE GIFT YOU CAN RECEIVE IS AN HONEST FRIEND!!!! After I read that, I had the grateful feeling, I often get when I think of you. As I have told you in the past, your friendship was a gift immediately and yes, we click!!!!
I made Mattie's picture bigger so I could see what you meant by indulging you and the picture you wanted. I love those pictures so much when a child is honoring the picture wish while they are ready to sprint to what they also want to see!!!! The pictures are great but you see their smile, a different look.
Our conversations, but most especially, your blog have made it possible to know Mattie. Of course, I will never get the chance to talk with him, engage him in an art activity or learn from him, his favorite things. This fact makes your blog even more special and important to me. To truly know you, knowing Mattie is most important. Remembering always, that he is a part of you everyday. You post pictures. And share Mattiee at all times of his short life. I believe this is a gift you give others like me. Mattie will always be your child and his death your forever loss. However, knowing about him, give me the opportunity to know him. Thanks๐๐๐ป
I have never been to Amish Country so if I go I will definitely think about Mattie.
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