Sunday, August 28, 2022

Sunday, August 28, 2022

Tonight's picture was taken on August 9, 2009. It was four days after we learned that Mattie's diagnosis was terminal. Mattie's child life specialist, Linda, planned this wonderful surprise for him. She arranged for Mattie to go into the Lego store at our local mall, after hours. Mattie had the WHOLE store to himself and he got to work with two master Lego builders. Mattie was all business collecting the Lego bricks he needed to create a NYC taxi cab. It was Mattie's idea to build a taxi and I am quite sure it was from his two trips to NYC for experimental treatment. He was absolutely fascinated by the hustle and bustle of the city and the wonderful skyscrapers. 

Quote of the day: Love many things, for therein lies the true strength, and whosoever loves much performs much, and can accomplish much, and what is done in love is done well. ~ Vincent Van Gogh

No matter what I say, my mom still gets up at 5:30 or 6am. However, the rest of the day, my parents are exhausted. This is a photo from around 1pm. In fact, if it weren't for me, my dad would spend the entire day in his chair. 

I provide him structure and make him, yes make him, do cognitive exercises, physical and occupational therapy exercises, as well as maintain a walking routine. He hates it and fights me every step of the way. But I am very aware of the fact that if he can't move his body, it makes it almost impossible to care for him at home. 

While they were sleeping, Peter and I  worked. My mom has this curio that she wanted hung in their bedroom. We finally got to it today. 

I know I keep posting this photo, but I feel it is important to highlight what on earth we sifted through. Or I should say, what Peter has been dealing with. Practically single handedly he went through every box and bin of my parents and helped empty them. 

I am working on making the basement livable particularly because my dad's colleague is coming to stay with us in September. This won't be what it finally looks like, but for now, I feel it is beginning to look like a house and not a warehouse. Peter and I hung many of my dad's Warner Brothers framed art today. We want this part of the basement to be an entertainment area, so we figured these Looney Tunes cartoon cells would work. 

Many of the cartoon cells my dad received over the years. 

When my paternal uncle died, I got this poster of the Creature of the Black Lagoon. My uncle wanted me to have it, as he was involved in the 1982 TV production. In addition, if you look closely you will see an X on one of the round buildings (Marina City). This is where my uncle used to live. 

A close up of one of my dad's posters. It was given to him when he worked at Warner Brothers, because if you look closely the Menu has "Sardi" written on the front of it. Of course the menu pertained to the famous Sardi's restaurant in New York. But for years this framed art was in my dad's office.