A Remembrance Video of Mattie

Thank you for keeping Mattie's memory alive!

Dear Mattie Blog Readers,

It means a great deal to me that you take the time to write and to share your thoughts, feelings, and reflections on Mattie's battle and death. Your messages are very meaningful and help support me through very challenging times. I am forever grateful. As my readers know, I promised to write the blog for a year after Mattie's death, which would mean that I could technically have stopped writing on September 9, 2010. However, like my journey with grief there is so much that still needs to be processed and fortunately I have a willing support network still committed to reading. Therefore, the blog continues on. If I should find the need to stop writing, I assure you I will give you advanced notice. In the mean time, thank you for reading, thank you for having the courage to share this journey with me, and most importantly thank you for keeping Mattie's memory alive.


As Mattie would say, Ooga Booga (meaning, I LOVE YOU)! Vicki



April 5, 2026

Sunday, April 5, 2026

Sunday, April 5, 2026

Tonight's picture was taken in April of 2007. Mattie was celebrating his fifth birthday at the National Zoo. The theme was Lightning McQueen. A movie favorite of Mattie's! I will never forget that birthday party because there was torrential rain and the party entailed a tour around the Zoo! I truly thought it was going to be a disaster. I contacted all the moms and told them the children needed boots, raincoats and umbrella. Turns out the animals LOVED the rain, and they were all out and roaming about and I think the rain made it a real adventure for the children. 


Quote of the day: I can feel grateful for what I have while also feeling grief for what I’ve lost. ~ Joanne Cacciatore


We had my friend Mary Ann over today for Easter, which helped tremendously. It is very hard carrying conversation each day, constantly repeating myself with my parents, and therefore having a fresh perspective and a conversationalist in my house today was refreshing. Mary Ann went to graduate school together and we have been through many ups and downs in each other's lives! 

I would like to say that I have gotten used to not having my other half around! Forget it! NOT true! One of the many things I miss, is having my kitchen partner! We worked well together. In my entire married life I never carved a roast. So now when I have to do it...... I don't get it right. I am sure if I practiced or did not feel rushed juggling my parents and my dad's bathroom needs I would get it right. BUT I DIDN'T today! 

It was my first attempt at making scalloped potatoes, and I loved them. It is hard to believe something so easy, could be so tasty! I typically would have made mashed potatoes, but my dad hates them! My dad used to love lamb, but clearly not anymore. He chewed each piece today and then spit it out. He had a mound of chewed meat on his plate for me to clean up. Of course, if I were to ask him what he ate minutes after he ate it, he'd have no idea. Better yet, if I asked him about today, he wouldn't even know he had an Easter dinner! It is very upsetting to me at times, especially since I try to work hard at cooking and cleaning. 


Mary Ann and my dad share a birthday week! My dad was convinced that this plant and balloon were for him. We tried to explain multiple times that Mary Ann's birthday is two days before my dad's, but he couldn't get it! Instead, he kept saying that my birthday is two days before his! We were going in circles over this! But unfortunately it is true.... my dad has NO IDEA when my birthday is!
Me with my parents!


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