Thursday, September 25, 2025

Thursday, September 25, 2025

Tonight's picture was taken in September of 2005. Mattie was three years old. That evening, he wanted to read books on my bed. So he jumped up, got under the covered, and of course brought a toy truck with us. Mattie was typically ON and moving around, but he also appreciated and loved book time. Mattie loved the stories, seeing the photos, and talking about what we just read. These were precious and yet all too fleeting moments.

Quote of the day: The grief within me has its own heartbeat. It has its own life, its own song. Part of me wants to resist the rhythms of my grief, yet as I surrender to the song, I learn to listen deep within myself. ~ Alan Wolfelt

After the fiasco of going to the dentist yesterday, I would say my parents were wiped out. My dad had his physical therapy session this morning and this particular therapist gets him outside whenever she is here. This is really good for him because otherwise, he never goes into our backyard! While my dad was in his session, my mom was resting. She hasn't been the same, since she got the flu vaccine. She is very tired, somewhat congested, and has a cough. The cough is definitely better, but when she coughs, it is so overwhelming because it looks like she is unable to breathe.  

We had to get out of the house today for our mental sanity. I took them to lunch at a local place we visit often. I know at least five to six servers at this particular restaurant. Our server, Tammy, was training someone today, and while taking our order, different servers were coming over to talk with me. Tammy turned to her trainee and told her.... all the servers love Vicki. They love talking to her! I truly wasn't expecting to hear that, but that certainly made me feel special. With each of the servers I talk to, I know about their families, their struggles, their schooling, and with a few of them, each time I see them, we pick up our conversation where we left off the week before. For example, one server had his car hit accidently while parked. So I learned two weeks ago that his car was missing a door handle. Today, I learned where he was with fixing the car, the circumstances around being hit, and the various choices he has to address the damage. In the process of that particular accident, his car was hit again in a different parking lot. He was distraught about this and wanted to know if this was a sign.... was the world set against him? Naturally I could wholeheartedly relate to that sentiment, but we both concluded, that he had to take it one day at a time, find a way through it, with the hopes that things will get better. Truthfully it is my mantra, ONE DAY AT A TIME, because sometimes when I evaluate the full picture, I can't function. 

Meanwhile, it was a busy BOX day at my house. Items for the Foundation's Candy and Snack Drive were delivered! I am so deeply appreciative of friends who stand behind a mission that means the world to me personally. 

More boxes today!!!! A BIG THANK YOU, because of the generosity and kindness of others, I can actively help other children like Mattie and in turn keep his legacy alive.