Tonight's picture was taken in February of 2009. This was our last Valentine's Day together. That day Mattie worked for several hours in the child life playroom of the hospital, creating cards, a gift box and this crown of hearts for me. I wasn't allowed into the playroom, as this was supposed to be a surprise. When I was called back in, Mattie gave me so many wonderful hand made gifts. I was deeply touched and his art therapist, Jenny, snapped this photo of us together. It is one of my favorite photos! It captured a typical Mattie move.... in which he would touch my nose and stare into my eyes!
Quote of the day: When we love, we always strive to become better than we are. When we strive to become better than we are, everything around us becomes better too. ~ Paulo Coelho
While getting myself together this morning, I was listening to the radio and they were talking about Valentine's Day. Specifically asking whether listeners thought it was a good idea to mandate that every child in school bring in a valentine's day card for each classmate. I heard both sides on this issue. Those who were for it, basically felt that they did not want any child to be left out of the holiday or excluded from not getting a card in school. Of course the other side of this debate was that forcing kids to give cards to other kids they truly don't get along with sets up a bad emotional dynamic.
Honestly I can appreciate both sides but as I was listening to this my thought was... wow life has gotten too complicated! So complicated that we now have to think for our children, regulate their card giving, and tell them who to like and who not to like. Unfortunately we as humans gravitate to some people, but not to others! Should we be forced to treat everyone equally? I think the answer is NO! I think there is one thing to be fair, human, and kind to everyone, and quite another position that one has to go through the motions of liking everyone. Chances are that isn't natural and in fact makes us disingenuous.
I know when Mattie went to school, we lived with this policy of everyone gets a card! Fortunately for us this was during the preschool and kindergarten years, and frankly when they are so young, I saw no problem with every little person getting a card. But as deeper emotions form with age, it doesn't make sense to give a card to everyone. I wouldn't be expected to do that in my life now, so why are we asking children to do this? Any case, if you are interested in this debate, read, "Should Kids Be Forced to Give Valentines to Everyone?"
I took my parents to a doctor's appointment today. When my dad was hospitalized in March of 2022, we met a rehab medicine doctor. He has a great team, who helped my dad considerably! So my dad has remained a patient of his. Today, my mom also became his patient. The doctor gave my mom a thorough evaluation and wants to see her every four months. He is encouraging me to change her shower routine, so that she showers with a chair and shower wand instead of standing in the shower. He says the number one way people in their 80's die is falling in the shower, breaking a hip, and failing through recovery.
After the doctor visit, I took my parents out to lunch. We went to Mattie's favorite restaurant and sat in the bar area. My parent like this part of the restaurant, as it is more lively. On Tuesdays, we know the server who works in the bar and she treats us beautifully. She gave my mom and I roses and chocolates! She literally brought in her own rose supply and gave them to certain customers. So we felt special!
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