Tonight's picture was taken in February of 2009. Mattie was in the child life playroom at the hospital and was having a story time session with Sally the Story Lady! Sally was a class act. Mattie loved her. Sally always told a story in costume and had props, and encouraged the kids to participate. Mattie never passed up a chance to see Sally, even if that meant Sally needed to come into his hospital room. Look at these two looking at each other! Total joy and enthusiasm! I will never forget these moments and I will always be grateful to anyone who reminded Mattie that he was a CHILD FIRST, NOT A CHILD WITH CANCER.
Quote of the day: How would your life be different if…You stopped allowing other people to dilute or poison your day with their words or opinions? Let today be the day…You stand strong in the truth of your beauty and journey through your day without attachment to the validation of others. ~ Steve Maraboli
As I mentioned previously, weekends are not always my best times of the week. Today, my dad's physical therapist visited and he had a session. My dad works with three different therapists. This particular woman I know quite well, because she worked with my mom at the hospital in 2022, for 8 months. When you see someone for 8 months weekly, you get to know them well. In this particular case, this therapist reminds me a lot of myself when I was in my 20s. Any case, whenever she visits my home, she has what I call "good energy." My mom loves her and literally we have a good time chatting, alongside my dad who is doing therapy. It is amazing how one person can transform the tone, the environment and outlook of the day.
After the therapist left, I continued to do some work, chores, and finally it got to a particular hour and my dad wanted to EAT! I take my parents out every Saturday and Sunday because otherwise, we are home all day and this isn't good for any of us. It helps to break up the routine, see people, and engage in the world. Every Saturday, we go to our local diner. When I tell you I know everyone there, I am not kidding. From servers to managers! What my mom and I love about this diner, besides the people, is the music. It is just a lively place and makes you forget your troubles for a few hours. Truthfully it is therapeutic and Jason, our server, is a kind soul.
While at the diner, the song, You Don't Own Me, came on! Literally this is a song from the 60s, but it has been used in movies too. Background.....You Don't Own Me is a pop song written by Philadelphia songwriters John Madara and David White and recorded by Lesley Gore in 1963, when she was 17 years old. The song was prominent at the time of its release in 1963 as it symbolized women's empowerment, showing the strength of a woman capable of standing up for herself.
Frankly, I do not need a song to remind me I am strong, or that I can stand up for myself, or that I am my own independent self. What I love about this song is I picture the scene in this video clip below. I can't hear this song without thinking of these three women, dancing in their white suits, their bond and friendship, and to me hearing the song is freeing, it is empowering, and is a reminder.... I'm free, and I love to be free! I suppose free could mean different things to different people. But free to me means free to think, feel, and express myself! These are gifts that should be granted to every human being!
Literally while hearing this song in the diner, I was ready to get up and start dancing. Music has a way of doing that to me, it evokes emotion and movement. What this reminded me today is that no matter how bleak things look, there is always music, and the notes and lyrics are gifts that can transport us figuratively right into the scene of this movie!
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