Monday, August 4, 2025

Monday, August 4, 2025

Tonight's picture was taken in August of 2009. By that point in time we knew that Mattie was dying. As you can see, he was on oxygen all the time. Sitting next to Mattie, was his cancer buddy and mentor, Jocelyn. Though Mattie and Jocelyn were very different ages, they both had osteosarcoma. Mattie met Jocelyn early on in his treatment process, and Jocelyn helped to normalize the hard reality of surgery. With bone cancer the only way to remove a bone tumor, is to remove the entire bone. If that happens, then a prosthetic bone is put in its place, or if the tumor is too extensive, then an amputation is needed (which is what Jocelyn had). Now that I reflect on this photo, I have to pause and say how brave Jocelyn was to sit with us in that moment in time. After all she was fighting the same disease and it had to be crushing to see her 7 year old buddy dying. Jocelyn was an amazing friend to Mattie and a great supporter of Mattie Miracle up until the day she died. It is a hard reality that both of these young souls were taken too soon.  

Quote of the day: Betrayal is the only truth that sticks. ~ Arthur Miller

When I tell you there is NEVER a dull moment on the farm, I am NOT KIDDING. Last evening, I was outside weeding. While walking about, I noticed a red light reflecting off of our fence. I was confused where this light was coming from, so I walked toward it. It was on our generator. In 2021, after moving in, we installed a generator, because we were concerned with my parents living with us, we could not be without access to power. I service this generator religiously every October. So I was stunned to see the red light! Mind you I had NO IDEA what it meant, but I knew it wasn't good. Then to add insult to injury, I had a whole string of lights along the driveway NOT WORKING again! Literally I was ready to flip out last night. I came inside and at 9pm, I text messaged our electrician. YES I have the personal cell numbers of my electrician, plumber and HVAC person. They all work for a big company, but they have worked with us extensively, since 2021. So when I text message them, they know I have a problem. In fact, do you know that my plumber text messaged me on my birthday! These are amazing men, who are devoted to their families and are devastated with what has happened to me.

At 7:30am, Bob text messaged me and told me he was coming over at noon to evaluate the generator and lights! If that was my only issue, I perhaps could have kept it together today, but OF COURSE NOT! While vacuuming the kitchen, I was stunned to see a puddle of water on the dining room floor. Seriously at first I thought maybe I spilled something by accident, until I looked up! The door jam was raining and I quickly deduced that this was coming from my mom's shower! 

There is a whole seam in the dining room that is showing water. Needless to say, at 8:30am, I text messaged Cody, my plumber. I showed him photos and within minutes, he got me on his schedule for Tuesday morning to come over and figure this out! I also can't access any of the water sensors in our house, as I was not the one who created the account originally. So hopefully Cody will be able to give me back control of my own water sensors. Truly this water issue has sent me over the deep end today! Why? Because any issue means money, money of which I did not budget for in August. Needless to say, I have told my mom that she can not use the bathroom, and I have relocated her to another bathroom. 

While waiting for Bob today, I decided, I HAVE GOT TO HANG THESE PAINTINGS! I figured I better do it before I get derailed with another problem or issue. I measured, and measured, and measured again. It is hard to do this solo, but I did it! The painting on the right features Sunny! He has been immortalized! 

I wrote to Kim, the artist, and showed her the art framed and on the walls. She was thrilled to see this and I am proud of myself that I got this project done and that I had this vision to begin with! Of course my original vision was for four paintings, but I am grateful to have at least two out of the four. 

When my dad saw the paintings this afternoon, you want to know what he said? He said whose house is in the photographs?! He did not recognize the house and has no recollection of Sunny!