Monday, December 10, 2018Tonight's picture was taken in June of 2009. Mattie loved his frog sandbox. Though we were cautioned about exposing Mattie to water and sand (because Mattie wore a broviac catheter -- tubes that came out of his chest to administer medications), we felt it was important for him to be able to do the activities he loved. We always monitored him and fortunately for us, Mattie was very responsible regarding this catheter. Mattie kept his sand toys in this box at all times, and playing in the sandbox was NOT season specific. Prior to cancer, Mattie spent time in the sandbox even in the winter. I remember a few times, we literally brought a space heater outside on the deck to manage the cold.
Quote of the day: When one tugs at a single thing in nature, he finds it is attached to the rest of the world. ~ John Muir
You will see I have posted many photos tonight of Mattie in his frog sandbox. Why? Well yesterday Mattie Miracle received a donation from Dallas, TX. When I emailed the donor to thank her, I asked her how she learned about Mattie Miracle. I wouldn't have expected the answer I received in a thousand years!!! She learned about us through MATTIE'S SANDBOX!!!!!
We were neighbors. We have twin boys who are now getting close to 8 years old, but they were about 3 1/2 when we moved to Dallas. You used to let them play in Mattie's old sandbox in the commons area. For Chanukah this year, I wanted to work with the kids on picking a charity to donate to each of the 8 nights, so that the holiday wasn't just about getting stuff. Tonight is the last night, and I opened up a photo book from our DC time, and asked them if they remembered getting to play in the sandbox, and then I told them about Mattie and how nice it was that Mattie's parents let them play in the sandbox, and so for our donation tonight, maybe we should give to Mattie's foundation - they liked that idea :)
I wish I could say I remember this donor and her boys. There are so many families who use Mattie's sandbox over these past 9 years. After Mattie died in 2009, I was mortified in the beginning when I saw other children in the box. But as the years have gone by, I realize seeing Mattie's box being used is another way to keep his legacy alive. As his box brings happiness to our neighbors.
As I told this donor.....It means a lot that on the last night of Chanukah, you thought about Mattie and recounted his life and our Foundation to your boys. As we feel it is very important to bring Mattie's life and his legacy to the next generation. Please let your boys know how much this donation means to us. All the funds we raise go directly to helping children with cancer, as we help over 3,000 children a year.
The blog captures Mattie's cancer journey, but it also memorializes how Peter and I survive this ultimate loss for a parent. As I read the blog over these past 9 years, I can see the evolution in my thinking (on some things). For instance with this sandbox, I went from protecting the box from others because I did not want anyone else touching something Mattie loved so much, to now being open to any little person playing in the box. I know now that whether someone plays or touches the box, it doesn't harm my memory of our time together with this box, nor does it disrespect Mattie's life in any way. On the contrary, his love for the box continues on in our commons area, and in the spring, when I have my windows open, I can hear excitement, laughter, and joy that our neighbors' children have playing in the box. All sounds that remind me of my days outside with Mattie.
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