Tonight's picture was taken in October of 2006. Mattie was four years old. That year, Mattie was a calico cat for Halloween. We created this costume together. Ironically, we assembled this costume in 2005, but unfortunately Mattie was hospitalized that Halloween with sepsis. So we saved the costume for 2006 (thanks to it being a sweatsuit material, it still fit him!). I will never forget October of 2005, I had taken Mattie to see his pediatrician, and I told her I felt Mattie had an ear infection. She dismissed me, thought I was an over anxious parent, and said his ears were fine. Not even 24 hours later, Mattie was running a high fever and vomiting profusely. We took him in through the emergency room. By that point, Mattie had sepsis and they determined the sepsis was from an ear infection. Mattie was admitted to the hospital and during his admission his pediatrician actually came to visit him in the hospital. She apologized to me, because basically she wasn't listening to me during the office visit. Needless to say, after that moment, whenever I came in reporting a health problem, I was taken seriously.
Quote of the day: Grief is just love with no place to go. ~ Jamie Anderson
This morning, I had an appointment with my arborist. The house is surrounded by trees and they need constant grooming and maintenance. So literally we walked the property and we discussed tree limbs and other issues that could potentially be a problem as winter approaches. I also have my landscaping company blow leaves out of the gutters and roof line every November. I had a one page list of things I needed help with this Fall. I have known this person since 2021, when we moved into the house. I am so grateful that I always took an interest in getting to know each service provider for our home. I just did not turf it off to my other half. This was a blessing, because once I became separated, the relationship with all these men was already established. To me this is crucial, because I have to know I can trust that whatever is being told to me is accurate and that someone isn't trying to get me to pay for something I do not need.
Since 2023, I have maintained this house alone. With each service provider, I have gotten to know about their interests and family. Literally it is like we pick up in conversation where we left off in the previous season. So many of my service providers tell me they can't understand why anyone would leave me, and today's visit I was reminded that I am an excellent listener and that I truly care about the lives of those I interact with. Needless to say that meant a lot to me.
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