Sunday, August 19, 2018

Sunday, August 19, 2018

Tonight's picture was taken on August 9, 2009. It was four days after we learned of Mattie's terminal diagnosis. Unfortunately Mattie never had the opportunity to submit a wish to the Make a Wish Foundation. Mainly because he never had a moment in his journey where he would be stable enough to participate in an activity. Given that Mattie was dying, his child life specialist, Linda, planned for a special outing. When our shopping mall closed for the evening, the Lego store remained open for Mattie and one friend. Mattie and his friend had the opportunity to work with master Lego builders (one is pictured in this photo) and he was given the chance to build any of the Lego kits in the store. To their surprise, Mattie had already built everything sold in the store, as we purchased countless kits to keep Mattie busy at home and in the hospital. Therefore, Mattie chose to build a NYC taxi cab. Not from a kit, but following his own plan. To this day, this taxi sits in our living room. 



Quote of the day: It’s good to be blessed. It’s better to be a blessing. ~ Unknown

Yesterday evening look who came out to visit. They were literally walking across my parent's street. I love these cappuccino colored deer. 

Meanwhile, as I was driving home last night, I thought I saw something in the road. At first I figured it was a cat or dog. As I got closer, I saw it was a coyote. Clearly I know I am NOT in DC!

This morning, as soon as I got up, I headed outside to do more planting. It is like an oven here when the sun is beating on you, so my goal was to garden when it was earlier in the day. It worked out better and I was able to plant several bushes without feeling overwhelmed from heat. 

This lovely sego palm was getting lost in the backyard. So we moved it to the front of the house. It is such a regal looking tree, I just love its shape. In addition, I moved the terracotta pot from the ground to on top of the wall and planted a rose bush in it. You should have seen the horrible cactus the previous owner had in this pot. It looked more like an octopus than a plant.  

Over the course of the two weeks I was here, I also potted roses in the backyard. They have taken and are growing beautifully. 

I also hung every canvas and framed photo in my parent's house while I was here. That sounds easier than you think. Can you see the green colored canvas on the right? That painting was a Mattie creation. He created it when he was in kindergarten. 

Pictures in the dining room. 

The front hallway! This particular framed piece of art weighed a ton. It may have been the worst out of all of them. I hung about 35 pieces in total. 

The living room. I remember sitting for this painting of myself when I was a child. My mom's friend was an artist, and I recall visiting her home weekly to sit for this portrait. I am not sure who found this more labor intensive, me or the artist. 

Another angle of the front hallway. 

 Part of the family room. 

Part of the kitchen. I remember purchasing this piece of art for my parent's anniversary two years ago. My friend Annie is an artist and in support of her new venture to open an art gallery, I bought one of her creations. 

More art in the family room. 

Birds in the hallway. I have only shared some rooms with you on the blog, but overall it is amazing what I have accomplished since the end of June. In about two months, I can say that I helped to successfully move and set up my parent's home. 

This afternoon, we went to visit friends of my parents. Friends who happen to be significant Mattie Miracle contributors. They surprised us with homemade cupcakes. Our friends own an in-home bakery and it is incredible the masterpieces they create! I think it is so meaningful when friends hand make something for me. I truly appreciate the thought and effort. All of which make me feel special.