Tuesday, August 20, 2019

Tuesday, August 20, 2019 -- Mattie died 516 weeks ago today. 

Tonight's picture was taken on August 13, 2008. Mattie was in the hospital, and about a week into his first chemotherapy infusion. In the photo was Anna, Mattie's physical therapist. We met Anna early in Mattie's treatment process. Mainly because the team knew Mattie would be faced with extensive surgeries and would need physical therapy. So the notion was to introduce him to Anna from the beginning, so he'd embrace her as part of his care team. Anna wanted to get Mattie used to sitting in a wheelchair, as post surgeries, he would be spending a lot of time in it. So this was why you see Mattie in a wheelchair and working on hitting a beach ball in order to enhance his upper body strength. 


Quote of the day: Believe in a love that is being stored up for you like an inheritance, and have faith that in this love there is a strength and a blessing so large that you can travel as far as you wish without having to step outside it. ~ Rainer Maria Rilke

Yesterday was a long day as it started for me before 6am. It involved a harrowing experience of trying to disembark off of a Princess Cruise ship in the port of Brooklyn. Then one thing after the other went wrong.... they were filming a TV show in the lobby of our hotel in NY, so we weren't allowed in; the toilet in my hotel room wouldn't flush; my TV wasn't working; I needed to talk to my doctor and get antibiotics asap, and the list went on. 

However, last night we celebrated my parent's anniversary with lifelong friends. The highlight of our day. 

My mom celebrated with strawberry shortcake. 

So glad we took photos!

Today we spent the day touring through some of our old stomping grounds. As myself and parents were born in New York. I lived there through 9th grade and then moved with my parents to Los Angeles for high school. 

This was the first house I grew up in. It was in Hartsdale, NY, and was built by my paternal grandfather. 

Then we moved to Scarsdale. I lived in this house from 6th grade through 9th grade, but it was a community of people we will never forget. We knew all our neighbors, we all went to the same schools and the neighbors did things together. 

Literally, my mom and I got out of the car today and rang the bell of our home. Typically we don't do this, but figured we would try it. Two young women answered the door. Their parents weren't home, but one was going to my old high school and the other a college aged woman. They both were eager to hear our house reflections and they invited us in for a tour. Absolutely lovely experience which reminds me that there are good and trusting souls among us. 

Then we drove passed my elementary school in Scarsdale. This was Seely Elementary, where I attended 6th grade. Though a public school, it still looks as beautiful as a private school. 

Then we drove to Edgemont High School. Here I attended 7-9th grade. Again a public school, that looked and acted more like a private school. It was at Seely Elementary that I met my lifetime friend, Karen. 

Edgemont High School. I remember aspects of these schools and yet it seems like a lifetime ago. Or perhaps someone else's life. I wanted to share these memories with Mattie, but unfortunately I never had the chance to do this.