Mattie's Friends Share
Their Thoughts

Dear Mattie,

At moments like these I only wish I could write like the great English poets, or better yet, like you, but, alas, I can't. So, with keyboard and mouse in hand, let me just jot down a few words.

Mattie you were unique. In a world where we adults found ugliness, bitterness, sadness, you found beauty, sweetness and happiness. Oh, did you teach us a lesson or two about life.

I hope that our troops in Iraq will be able to watch the Telethon on Labor Day weekend so they, AND the Iraqi people, can see what a real hero is...you. Trust me, I'm not saying that our troops aren't heroes; I'm an Army brat, I KNOW they're heroes. But Mattie, you were a totally different kind of hero. No, I can't put a name to your type of heroism; I just know this, it will be with me all the days of my life.

Every child, in every school, in every state, in every country ought to see your biography. Perhaps your inspirational life will give better meaning to ours.

Mattie, I know you're up there smiling down on the world; but you know what? There are many of us smiling back at you with thanks for a job well done, for a life well lived, and we're all better for having had you with us.

We'll miss you and love you forever.

With heartfelt respect and admiration...

Rosie,
Tucson, Arizona

Aloha from Kauai ~

Matty touched my life from the first time I ever saw him on TV. He is indeed a shining example of what a good life is all about - LOVE - RESPECT - SELFLESSNESS - HONOR - AND DIGNITY. You are in my prayers always Mattie. And to the family: You are not alone in your loss. Thank you for blessing us all with his life. Namaste'.

Most Sincerely,

Nadia,
Kapaa, HI

I am a person with MD and Mattie always inspired me to just keep on tryin' to fight my MD, and so I will always remember Mattie like he was my own brother. I am only 14. I found out about Mattie when I was 12. We will all miss him and we loved him.

Love,
Tiffani

Up in heaven, there is an angel wearing a tuxedo and an infectious smile! It has to be Mattie - he was an angel in life. I only knew Mattie through his poetry, although our lives crossed paths - we lived in the Holy Rosary Parish neighborhood and his teachers taught my own children. Mattie was not only a messenger of peace but of courage, love and strength - tremendous lessons from such a small child.

Mattie joins our angel, Bobby, whom we laid to rest seven years ago yesterday. Like Mattie, Bobby taught us and those around us many lessons that still impact everyone today. I miss my little boy angel but I celebrate his life every day.

The other day when the news came about Matte's passing, I imagined that he and Bobby and all the other special angels were playing ball - hey, Mattie, teach Bobby to throw that basketball!

God bless you, Mattie - your life will be a beacon of light and hope even in death. May the peace of God comfort your family.

Ann,
Benedict, Md. (formerly of Cheltenham, Md.)

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Well...I truly never wanted this day to come. As a young woman with muscular dystrophy, I too, have a trach and a ventilator. Even tho Mattie was a child...I found a lot of strength and courage in him. I, too, have a very positive attitude like Mattie. Once in a while, tho, one of those, not-so-positve days came and I'd pull out one of his books and would smile. He was the greatest. I had wished for a very long time that I could meet Mattie, but figured it was impossible. As a college student, I know that I am lucky to still be on this earth. :) I just wanted to send out a giant THANK YOU..to Mattie's mother for bringing up such a wonderful child.

R.I.P. Mattie :(

Thank you for listening,

Michelle

I watched your funeral on TV today, and cried. I live in the beloved Washington community that we share, and wish that I had had the opportunity to have met such a beautiful neighbor. As I have read stories about you, and saw President Carter speak, I became aware of your passion for social justice and the incredible insight that you have that most adults will never know. The Christ that lives in us all, no matter who we are in life, reflected in you in a way that seldom does. Many lives are taken way too soon, and yours was one that definitely was. Your wisdom, love and compassion will no doubt live on, however, in all that you have touched. May you soar with the Angels now with wings that will never fail, for this short life is only a glimpse of the glory that God's special servants, those that reflect the love of Christ will encounter. You are in that special place that we all know exists; protect us on our journey, and guide us on our path, that it may reflect the love that existed in your heart. There is no other way.

Andy

As soon as I heard Mattie on a television program, I knew he was very exceptional. I don't mean his poetry, I don't mean his physical condition, but his spiritual maturity. Spiritually he was way beyond his years. While some people questioned why God should allow such a thing to happen to a child, at the same time I realized that God had given him something very special: the great faith of a child that the Gospel speaks of. And there is something else - Mattie accomplished more in his almost fourteen years than I could in five lifetimes!

Thank you, Mattie, for many things. But most of all, thank you for just being you.

Fr. Eliot

Dear Jeni,

We share your sorrow. Nevertheless, we appreciate your sharing your baby with the world. Mattie had an adult sense of perception and, definitely, was more rational than most adults. His was a heart of a peacemaker. Mattie had a big angelic smile that warmed our hearts whenever we saw him on TV. We all will miss him, but his spoken words will always remain with us. God bless you. God bless his soul.

Take heart,

Sincerely,
Edith,
Los Angeles, Calif.

God bless you Mattie!

You were an excellent boy. I read your poems and I got vitality. Thanks. Your picture is in my computer. Forever...

Dr.Gyula Wirth (father of two daughters),
from Hungary

Hola amigos,

he visto el recordatorio de Mattie en la web de Harley y quiero mandaros un fuerte abrazo y mis condolencias por tan grande perdida. Con vosotros en el corazón,

Walter.

My dearest, dearest "soul friend" Mattie,

I am writing to you from India. :-) A land very very far away from where you lived but you and your dear mom, Jeni, touched me SO deeply that my tears don't stop ever since I heard of your passing on. Ever since I saw you on Oprah and then twice on Larry King you have become a part of me forever. I prayed for you and your mom every night and every morning ever since then....

I will never ever forget you, my "soul friend". My family and others don't seem to understand why I cry so much or miss my friend who I never also met. But, I think to myself that they do not understand as they did not have the chance to be touched by an angel who visited earth for his mission and then went back to God.

Some special memories that reside in the deepest core of my heart -

..how you turned behind to look at Jeni and clapped with such innocence and purity every time Larry King would announce that "in the last segment we will have his mom, Jeni on "

..you covering your face in shyness and glee when you were surprised that Jimmy Carter came to meet you.

..you sharing your joy at using practical jokes like the remote-control farting machine (I got one too after hearing about it from you :-) )

..the ANGELIC tone of your laughter after you said you were doing better and how its all a circle - you inspire us and we pray for you, when you appeared on Oprah through teleconferencing.

..the purity, sincerity, truth, JOY in EVERYTHING you said and did.

I know that your essence and your soul can never ever die. That is eternal. So, though I cry, I know that is out of ignorance of not remembering that the real you - the essence of my Mattie can never EVER die. The Bhagvad Gita, which is one of the most ancient and revered spiritual texts here and which is directly from the mouth of God says -

"He ( the soul) is never born , and he never dies. He is eternity; he is for evermore. Never born and eternal, beyond times gone or to come, he does not die when the body dies. As a man leaves an old garment and puts on one that is new, the Spirit leaves his mortal body and then puts on one that is new. Invisible before birth are all beings and after death invisible again. They are seen between two unseens. Why in this truth find sorrow? The spirit that is in all beings is immortal in them all - for the death of what cannot die, why feel sorrow?"

So, I know I have to stop crying and feeling sad....

Dear Jeni, please know that you have many many children all across the world...this one is in India. If you ever come here, you have a son and home here waiting for you. We all are praying for you and Mattie...

Many kisses, hugs and blessings,

Deepak

To the Stepanek Family and All:

Our hearts, and prayers are with you all.

Mattie is a gift to us all, and an inspiration of what life is all about. Please know that Mattie's heart will stay with us all always.

Always, Kathy, Kole and Brooke

Brooke, 7 years old, has mitochondrial disease, Prader-Willi syndrome and many other disorders, and we wanted you to know that Mattie has added such a positive influence to Brooke's life. Thank you with all our hearts for the gift you gave to all of us.

Dear Jeni-

A few years ago, my mom gave me Heartsongs by Mattie. Little did we realize its significance until last year. (I was diagnosed with mito in 2003.) Mattie will truly be missed. He had such a wonderful spirit to overcome mito obstacles. I wrote a poem in memory of your son and wanted to share it with you. Thoughts and prayers are sent your way. My heart goes out to you.

With Deepest Sympathy-
Ann

Remembering Mattie

A poet spoke
in small words
left an indelible mark
upon us all.
A child familiar
with pain and
heartache
turned sadness
into something beautiful.
A life lived
with obstacles
overturned
when his message
took flight.
A soul
lifted to the heavens,
memories still shine
forever in our hearts.

(C) 2004. Ann Eide

Our family sends their love to Mattie's family at home and at MDA. Hugs to Jerry, too, as I know it hits him in the eyes when his kids change from angels on earth to angels guiding the rest of us from heaven. If there is heaven, then we know Mattie is there and guiding us all to help others. He touched every life that ever met him. He beat the odds and the system and was a shining star. We will miss him. Hugs to his Mom.

Love,
Laura, Kelly and Sarah (former Goodwill Ambassador family)

Dear Jeni,

When I bought the first volume of Heartsongs I could not finish reading it because I could not stop crying. You see, my son had just been diagnosed with Duchenne muscular dystrophy and the pain was still too much for me to take. About a year later I sat down and read the entire book of poetry. I still cried, but this time I cried tears of joy. Your son Mattie helped me realize that life is what you make of it and that even in the hardest of times when you feel like you just want to give up, you have to just keep on fighting and living each day as it comes. Mattie has touched so many lives and has given me hope when I felt that all hope was lost. Mattie was wise beyond his years and truly had a love of life that will always be remembered.

May God Bless You Always,
Renee and Family,
Austin, Texas

Dear Jeni,

Thank you for exhibiting such strength and courage in raising a phenomenal young man. I am deeply touched by the example of Mattie's life. His hope and vision for world peace is the most beautiful message any person can deliver and has inspired me to do my best to impart peace within the circles of home, work and community where I am raising my sons. What an amazing woman you must be and I wish you comfort and love in the years ahead. You are in my thoughts and prayers.

Carolyn,
Johnson City, N.Y.

THANK YOU FOR THE GIFTS THAT YOU GAVE TO MANKIND.

My Personal Tribute to Mattie Stepanek, hero, peacemaker, friend.

"There's a fire inside of everybody,
Burning clear & bright,
There's a power in the faintest heartbeat
That cannot be denied"

I have been pondering how to begin a tribute to Mattie, and each and every time I come back to these words. "There's A Hero, In Everybody's Heart."

This was certainly true of Mattie. Inside him burned a fire, a passion for life, for peace and for the future.

On 22 June 2004, the fire went quietly out. But by then, the flames had already reached farther than anyone could ever imagine. Anyone who heard the name Mattie Stepanek was gently burned by those tender flames, and I am proud and honoured to be among those touched by his gentle spirit and powerful messages of hope...

I was first introduced to the name Mattie Stepanek through the music of Billy Gilman. At the time, I had no idea how much impact this pairing of two such remarkable young men would have on my life. I have had an easy life compared to Mattie's, and I won't go into the details of the problems I was going through a few years ago. This isn't about me. Suffice to say that Mattie's words carried all the power I needed to find the strength to work through my own issues. I wonder how many other people have similar stories across the world...

It didn't stop there though. I had the pleasure, and the privilege of speaking with Mattie through e-mail on several occasions. I had originally written a short mail to him through his Web site - I had no idea it would elicit a personal reply, and several more to come..

But that was Mattie. Selfless, compassionate, caring, gentle and loving...

Mattie was grateful to be alive... He once said "It's a beautiful circle, and we all go around together, with and for each other. What a gift.".

What a gift indeed, and I will always be grateful that he chose to share that gift with the world, and I am honoured to be one of the many people touched by Mattie's message. Somehow, listening to Music Through Heartsongs will never be quite the same again..

Mattie touched each and every one of us, and now our thoughts and prayers turn to Jeni, Mattie's family and many friends. May God grant them the strength to find a way through the darkness...

We will always remember you Mattie. We will look back on your words and remember.

"We need to notice, just notice
Notice for a moment
Before the future slips away
into ashes and dust of humility"

...Mattie, we will never stop loving you, and will miss you always. Thank you so much for being a part of our lives, and for continuing to inspire us. Thank you for sharing the Hero in your heart.

Darren

Written in loving memory of a very dear and special young man - Rest in peace, Mattie J.T Stepanek. 1990 - 2004.

Please note: the quotations are from Mattie's poems or from interviews he conducted with Oprah and Larry King.

A Mystic Always Lives. A Tribute to Mattie Stepanek

Mattie - modern day mystic, peacemaker, everyday kid - a hero to everyone his Heartsong inspires.

Where are you now, dear Mattie? The wheelchair no longer supports the fragile skin of your physical form. Who needs a wheelchair in Heaven?

I Look within - glowing fusion of light and love, luminous rainbows of gratitude - for life, the Earth, for all God's children. There he is! Lighting the way! I see Mattie!

I Hear the song of a soul who is ONE with ALL - singing in the hearts,
minds, and memories of all sentient beings. I hear Mattie!

I Feel the vibration of Truth spoken by a human angel, a boy wise beyond his years - a gift delivered to humanity - giving life, giving hope, beyond time and space.

Listen to the simple, wise Heartsong of an Enlightened Being: "I love you! I love you! How happy you can be! How happy you can make the whole world be!"

For Jeni who lost her precious son - the Universe embraces you in gratitude - for nurturing our mystic child, for putting his poems on paper, for being, in his words, "the best thing that ever happened to me."

A mystic always lives in eternal bliss - smiling, KNOWING his gifts will grow.

Hands to heart, I pray for peace, I pray for humanity, I "pray for someone who needs the prayers." And so it continues. Thank you, Mattie. Thank you, Jeni. Thank you, God.

Jennifer,
Chanay, France

I never met Mattie Stepanek, but I was amazed by his love, compassion, understanding, and his poetry. I was also amazed by his peacemaking ability. I met Mattie Stepanek through shows such as "The Oprah Winfrey Show," "Larry King Live," and the "MDA Jerry Lewis Labor Day Telethon." I'm a 24-year-old man with Duchenne muscular dystrophy, and I personally know the many challenges faced by people every day with neuromuscular diseases in MDA's program. God bless you Mattie Stepanek.

Peter