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



May 24, 2026

Sunday, May 24, 2026

Sunday, May 24, 2026

Tonight's picture was taken in May of 2007. Mattie assembled this train track with overhead arches. This set up took up a lot of space, but all of us were used to this, including Patches. Patches was our calico cat! She was the best cat and as soon as we brought Mattie home from the hospital in 2002, she understood..... he was precious cargo and she had to behave. My hope is that Mattie and Patches have reunited and that Sunny (who never met either of them), has joined forces with them. 


Quote of the day: Sometimes, life will kick you around, but sooner or later, you realize you’re not just a survivor. You’re a warrior, and you’re stronger than anything life throws your way. ~ Brooke Davis


This afternoon, I took my parents out to our local diner. Since we go there weekly, I know all the managers and most of the servers. We tend to work with the same server each week, and each week we learn more about this server's life, his wife, and his three children. Today he surprised us, as two of his children were in the diner. One is 10 years old and the other is 6. Both of the children knew who we were! But what surprised me was the children were eager to chat with us, were very kind, and wanted to make a connection. I was very touched by their manners, kindness, and how much they respect their dad. On the way out of the diner today, their dad said to me..... see why I work so hard (he works multiple jobs, six days a week, 12 hour days)? Indeed, it was clear and what was even more clear to me is that when love and commitment are present, one will always rise to the challenges presented in life. 

When I got home, I found a package at my front door. I opened it up and found these charming cat towels looking up at me. They are from my former mother-in-law. An absolutely insane title I am required to legally use, for someone I have known since I was 19. She doesn't like the whole "former" title, so she now just tells people I am her daughter. 

We are cat lovers and also love flowers and gardening. When I wonder did my former life exist, I can now just look at these towels as another reminder. It was another hard week on top of many tough and heartbreaking years, so today's gift of love perked me up. 

No comments: