A Remembrance Video of Mattie

Thank you for keeping Mattie's memory alive!

Dear Mattie Blog Readers,

It means a great deal to me that you take the time to write and to share your thoughts, feelings, and reflections on Mattie's battle and death. Your messages are very meaningful and help support me through very challenging times. I am forever grateful. As my readers know, I promised to write the blog for a year after Mattie's death, which would mean that I could technically have stopped writing on September 9, 2010. However, like my journey with grief there is so much that still needs to be processed and fortunately I have a willing support network still committed to reading. Therefore, the blog continues on. If I should find the need to stop writing, I assure you I will give you advanced notice. In the mean time, thank you for reading, thank you for having the courage to share this journey with me, and most importantly thank you for keeping Mattie's memory alive.


As Mattie would say, Ooga Booga (meaning, I LOVE YOU)! Vicki



November 13, 2019

Wednesday, November 13, 2019

Wednesday, November 13, 2019

 Tonight's picture was taken in celebration of Peter's birthday in 2008. Mattie was in the hospital preparing for his second limb salvaging surgery. While in-patient, Mattie made this birthday cake out of model magic for Peter. This cake sits on our bedroom bureau today, and looks like it was just made! This was the last birthday that Peter celebrated with Mattie, and though today is officially Peter's birthday, neither of us really enjoy celebrating anymore. 




Quote of the day: Where grace happens generosity happens. ~ Max Lucado
This week is totally dedicated to delivering candy around the region. Eighteen places to be specific. Check it out:

 Monday: 

  1. Hackerman-Patz House; Baltimore, MD
  2. Children's Hospital at Sinai; Baltimore,MD
  3. Ronald McDonald House; Baltimore, MD

Tuesday:

  1. Hospital for Sick Children; Washington, DC
  2. Ronald McDonald House; Washington, DC

Wednesday:

  1. Special Love; McLean, Virginia
  2. Children's Inn at NIH; Bethesda, MD
  3. United Community Ministries; Alexandria, VA

Thursday:

  1. Children's National Medical Center; Washington, DC
  2. Pediatric Specialists of Northern Virginia; Falls Church, VA
  3. Ronald McDonald House; Falls Church, VA
  4. Nourish Now; Rockville, MD
Friday:


  1. MedStar Georgetown University Hospital; Washington, DC
  2. Embry Rucker Community Shelter; Reston, VA
  3. Cornerstones; Reston, VA
  4. Covenant House; Washington, DC
  5. Sasha Bruce; Washington, DC
  6. St. Ann’s Center for Children, Youth, and Families; Hyattsville, MD 
Monday and Friday we rent Uhaul trucks to distribute candy. However, Tuesday through Thursday, I stuff my car and drive around town. Thank goodness for GPS.

 I met the Program Director for Special Love this morning. Special Love provides many different opportunities for the childhood cancer community to socialize and receive support. We are happy our candy is a special treat during their holiday season. 
 I then drove to the Children's Inn at the National Institutes of Health (NIH). To get onto NIH's campus is a real feat. Your car has to be inspected, you have to walk through a metal detector, as well as show ID. Many of the security folks remember me because of the candy. When I got to the Inn, I received a lovely greeting from the staff, including Zoey, the therapy dog. 
Our board member and friend, drove to United Community Ministries today and made a large candy donation!
This is what the donation to United Community Ministries looked like. You would think the garage would be empty after all these donations this week. However, it is still quite full. Friday will be a very challenging delivery day. 
Posted by The Brown Family (DC) at 5:05 PM

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