Sunday, June 12, 2016

Sunday, June 12, 2016

Tonight's picture was taken in May of 2007. Mattie was ALL dressed up and ready for his first day of summer camp at his preschool, Resurrection Children's Center. Mattie LOVED their summer camp because he had the opportunity to play in sand and water, not to mention be involved in all sorts of activities. These were NOT high tech activities or even activities that required a lot of equipment. But more thoughtful and creative activities. Mattie gravitated to them! Mattie may have gone in the morning clean.... but by the end of camp, he was a total mess. Clearly loving every minute!



Quote of the day: All the world is a laboratory to the inquiring mind. ~ Martin H. Fischer

I had the opportunity today to visit Mattie's preschool for the LAST TIME! Resurrection Children's Center is closing its doors and merging with Fairlington Preschool in Alexandria, VA in the Fall. There was a good-bye party at the school for current families and alums. I haven't been back to the school for years. But as soon as I walked through the doors, I met up with John, who was a student in two of Mattie's preschool classes. John and his family attend our Foundation walks and he was sharing with me memories he had of the school and Mattie. Mind you he was a little guy when he was in preschool and he doesn't see me often now, but yet he still feels close to me. 

Mattie's preschool was a cooperative school, which means that parents MUST play a role in helping out in the classroom and participating in school events. Back then I must have visited the classroom once every two months, and through that, got to know the kids in Mattie's classrooms. John and I connected from that very first day of school. Interesting no? But what is more fascinating is this connection continues, which is interesting since he was really SO young back then and his memory hadn't truly formed. 

Resurrection Children's Center is where Mattie made his first friends and I developed life long connections with moms who are devoted to helping me keep Mattie's memory alive. This is a school never to be forgotten.... because it wasn't only an enriching and loving environment, but a place where we learned to appreciate the best in our children and in ourselves.

I had the honor of meeting the FOUNDERS of the preschool today and to thank them personally.

From left to right are Gwen and Jim Anderson and Janet Chitwood.

In fact, Janet's son, Danny, is the reason why the preschool was created. Danny has special needs and Janet felt there wasn't a preschool in her community that was prepared and equipt to handle his needs. So she reached out to her friend the Andersons and together they developed Resurrection Children's Center (RCC). In each of the four RCC classrooms, 20% of the children have a special need. The beauty of this is by being inclusive, both the children with special needs and typically developing children can learn from each other. 

This was Mattie's first preschool classroom, where Margaret (his head teacher) taught Mattie. Mattie entered preschool being very shy, hesitant, and timid. With the nurturing and guidance of both Margaret and Lana (assistant teacher), Mattie grew into the person he was meant to be. I find it ironic that ALL the moms I met in this classroom, I remain friends with TODAY! That is how special a classroom it was.

Today was my first time seeing this plague! Mattie's name is on the top row, second from the left. This plague acknowledges children at graduation from preschool.

This is a photo of Mattie's second preschool classroom. The room was called the Block Room. It is the room where Kathy and Marilyn taught Mattie. I shall never forget the energy and activity of this room! In fact during Mattie's first year of preschool he AVOIDED this room. It was overwhelming to him. He was intimated by all the noise and energy coming from the room. By his second year, with coaching from Kathy, this ALL changed! Mattie was a key player in generating ideas and building projects in the room.

The Doanes, Bowers, and Putnams! Mattie went to school with the children in all three of these families.

Vicki with Mary and her loving family. Mary is the assistant director of the preschool and our friend.

My friend Catherine, her daughter Sara Catherine (who was in Mattie's preschool classes), and the school's occupational therapist (Deb).

This is Margaret's daughter, Ali, and her beautiful family!

Mattie's preschool teachers, Marilyn and Kathy! They are the ultimate Lucy and Ethel (from I Love Lucy) duo!

Vicki and Kim. Kim has been Resurrection Children's Center's Director for as long as I can remember. In a way the school was her third baby. She worked tirelessly at making it the special place we all came to love and cherish.

The amazing teachers and staff at Resurrection Children's Center.

This photo of a stunning orange rose is featured in the preschool's hallway. It is called Margaret's rose, because it was a photo captured in Margaret's garden. Margaret was Mattie's first preschool teacher and my close friend. Margaret died two years ago, at an early age, from ALS. I was thrilled to see her memory captured in the school she loved so much.

Vicki and Kathy! Kathy is a dynamo and Mattie thrived leaps and bounds in Kathy's classroom.

Mattie's friend, Sara Catherine, and her mom with our dear teacher, Kathy!