Thursday, October 12, 2023

Thursday, October 12, 2023

Tonight's photo was taken in October of 2005. Mattie was three years old. That day we were headed to a Halloween event at the University. Several of my students were helping to coordinate this community wide trick or treat, and they invited Mattie to attend. He got dressed up in his calico cat costume that we made together and Peter snapped this photo of us walking to the event. Mattie had a great time participating in all the fun and games and came home with several children's books of his choice! A day I will never forget! If I could only turn back time. 

Quote of the day: Grief is like a moving river, it's always changing. I would say in some ways it just gets worse. It's just that the more time that passes, the more you miss someone. ~ Michelle Williams

Today was one for the books! While showering my dad, I noticed his left side by his rib cage was swollen. I took several photos and sent it to the doctor. I figured it was a hernia, but wanted the doctor's opinion. He responded right back. Basically he told me that if it isn't bothering my dad, not to worry! One thing off my plate!

I drove my dad to his memory care center. When I was about to get him out of the car, I noticed that his walker wasn't anywhere in the car. He can't move an inch without it. So I had to seatbelt him back in the seat and returned home. Don't you know it, I literally left the walker in the garage, right by where the passenger side door was located! I am that tired and frazzled. Once I loaded the walker, I drove my dad right back to the center. Thankfully it is only 10 minutes from our house.

Once my dad was securely inside, I went grocery shopping. While I was putting away the groceries I could hear a delivery truck leaving boxes by our door. My mom had ordered a few items that she wanted (one in particular, she wanted before they moved from Los Angeles). One of the items was super bulky and heavy. Literally heavier than me! How I managed this and got it into the house is beyond me. That I didn't injure myself is one for the books. 

My goal was to work on Foundation things this morning, but it never happened as I got derailed with boxes! Therefore, I have decided I am going to stay up later a few nights to get the things I want done. If I don't do this, then I can't have quiet and a minute to myself. 

This morning, I was text messaged this photo! Mattie Mattie was highlighted in this conference presentation, which was given at the SIOP (International Pediatric Oncology Congress) conference in Ottawa, Canada. We are proud to sponsor Lydia's work! Love seeing that Mattie Sun getting around. 

It was a day of many firsts for me. Tonight, Sunny and I went outside and while Peter is in Boston visiting his family, I decided to figure out how to put up our pumpkin inflatable. Peter gave me some pointers and low and behold, I did it! 

Sunny and I had plenty of outdoor time this evening, as we went for our daily walk together and then we spent some time out front. I find one of my favorite places to be is outside. Mattie definitely rubbed off on me, as I wasn't like this before he was born.