Tonight's picture was taken on Halloween of 2002. It was Mattie's first Halloween and though he had no idea what was going on, I decided to snap a photo of him next to our pumpkin. Frankly I think the pumpkin weighed more than Mattie!
Quote of the day: A wonderful gift may not be wrapped as you expect.
~ Jonathan Lockwood Huie
As I know Halloween is fast approaching, I am trying to address all sorts of big Foundation issues ahead of time, because once candy starts coming in, I am inundated for two weeks. Do not ask me how I can sit at the computer for hours and create logos for our Walk t-shirt, a new design for the 2020 Walk, not to mention write some sort of greeting to deliver at the upcoming Fall Event that "Friends of Mattie Miracle" are hosting for the Foundation. In some ways, it feels like the lost day. But I have many of these kind of days, because we have no staff. Anything that gets done for Mattie Miracle typically comes from me. Which can be wonderful but it is also daunting.
The highlight of the day however, is a phone call Peter received from a mutual friend this morning. We have been friends sine 2007, as his daughter is Charlotte, and Charlotte was Mattie's "girlfriend." In any case, Peter was invited to attend the World Series game tonight. Totally a remarkable invitation, since we know that standing room tickets are going for $1,000 a ticket. In any case, I am happy Peter can get out with a good friend and see something he loves.... baseball. Of course, I can't help but wonder what would have happened to Mattie and Charlotte's relationship if he remained alive. As they both were convinced they would go to college together, be roommates, and even marry. It was a special friendship that I won't ever forget. As they gravitated to each other on the FIRST day of kindergarten and Charlotte remained a faithful friend throughout Mattie's cancer journey. Which is no easy feat, since visiting a child with cancer in the hospital is not for the meek. But Charlotte not only visited Mattie, she did it with love, patience, and deep understanding. So I remind myself that Peter and Charlotte's dad became and stay connected because of the beautiful friendship our children shared.
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