Tonight's picture was taken in October of 2002. This was Mattie's first Halloween. He was six months old. Though Mattie did not get dressed up for the occasion, I introduced him to a pumpkin! The pumpkin was as big as Mattie and his little hand started feeling the top of the pumpkin and checking it out. I always referred to Mattie's hands as little radar scopes! I just loved watching him take the world in!
Quote of the day: The world is shaped by two things — stories told and the memories they leave behind. ~ Vera Nazarian
My dad's physical therapist came over this morning. In order to keep my dad moving, he has four therapy sessions a week. Wouldn't it be wonderful if I could do the exercises with him? YES it would! But he is completely non-compliant with me. So in order to maintain his strength, balance, and endurance, I need the therapists! Because my dad has Alzheimer's, I can't appeal to his common sense, as he just doesn't understand why it is important to walk and be as independent as possible. It is actually very frustrating for me, because my dad does nothing for himself and has no interest in having any responsibility. By the time the therapist arrived, I had already survived three bouts of his irritable bowel issues. Literally by 11am, most days, I feel like I have run a marathon.
My dad's therapist was talking about Halloween this morning. She has three small children and so far they have changed their minds about what they want to be for Halloween three times. We got a chuckle out of that! The conversation reminded me of my Halloweens with Mattie.
I put together this photo of the 7 Halloweens I shared with Mattie. They went like this.......................................
- 2002 - no costume
- 2003 - a pumpkin
- 2004 - Winnie the Pooh
- 2005 - A Calico cat (Mattie was hospitalized with sepsis that year and never went trick of treating. So he wore this costume again the following year!)
- 2006 - A Calico cat
- 2007 - An Air Force Pilot
- 2008 - A Mummy
I truly never thought Mattie would be in my life for only 7 years! After all, how many children do you know who get cancer and die? Prior to Mattie getting cancer, I never met one child with cancer! But of course once Mattie was diagnosed, my mindset changed. I see childhood cancer everywhere. Those who don't have this lens, consider yourselves blessed and lucky. Childhood cancer changes everything about a family's life and existence.
Memories are funny things. I know these 7 years were a part of my life, but they seem so long ago. As if they happened to another person. This is why I keep on writing! Writing forces me to remember details and it keeps them fresh in my mind, as I never want to FORGET any aspect of Mattie Brown. I miss that smile, his antics, his joy for life, and for making the mundane.... fascinating!
In addition to talking about costumes this morning, we also got into talking about favorite Halloween candy. The therapist asked my dad about candy and his response was.... I don't like candy! Not sure my apple came from his tree, as I am ALL ABOUT CANDY! Any case, did you know that Reese's, Snickers, and Kit Kats are the most popular Halloween candies on the market? Yes I can see why, but I will tell you my favorite, it is a Take Five! To me there is nothing like pretzels with chocolate and caramel!
Though I may be all about candy, Mattie was NOT! In fact, if he went trick or treating with friends, they would sort candy after they collected it and Mattie would eagerly give away all his chocolate candies for lollipops and pretzels! Truly he always made me chuckle!!!
No comments:
Post a Comment
Please add your comment and let us know who you are!