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Mattie's Friends Share
Their Thoughts
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Comments
MDA received via e-mail -
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| Mattie Stepanek and MDA
National Chairman Jerry Lewis at the MDA Telethon 2002.
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Mattie,
Thank you for sharing your strength, thank you for sharing your courage and most
of all, thank you for sharing your HEART.
"Your spirit will survive in those of us you have touched."
Frank, Nancy and Elena,
Leesburg, Va.
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For a true gentle hero who walked taller than most adults.
My deepest symphaties to his mom, Jeni, and to Micah.
He will be forever remembered with joy..
Barbara,
Bensalem, Pa.
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What a life - what a gift!
I'm sure that he is having a great big party with his brothers and sisters in
Heaven while we all weep down here on Earth. Love and hugs to Jeni, Micah, and
all of Mattie's friends. Thanks for sharing him with all of us!
Sandi,
Cincinnati, Ohio
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| Mattie and his mother, Jeni ,Former President Jimmy
Carter and Rosalyn Carter |
I just want to say that Mattie was my MDA Little Brother and he was the best and
I will miss him so much.
Thanks for your courageous fight. I hope that with my ALS illness that I can
hold the spirit for a long time.
Always,
Todd "Bear",
Louisville, Ky.
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As a Richmond, Va., professional firefighter and the organizer of our
"Fill-the-Boot" program, it breaks my heart to hear of the passing of Mattie. I
have become so close to the children in our area, participating in everything
from Lock-Ups to summer camp. The thought of losing one of them is tough to
bear. My prayers go out to his mom. MDA has lost a great ambassador. I got to
meet him several times at the softball tournament in Maryland and he was truly
a gem. The only silver lining is that now he will know no more pain, no more
braces or wheelchairs.
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| Ode to Mattie
Mattie speaks.
Cold hearts melt.
People listen.
Eyes tear.
Minds change.
Hope spreads.
Mission accomplished.
Carl
P.S.: My prayers are with his family.
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God bless you Mattie.
Fly with the angels with no pain, no machines and have a ball.
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I too have a son with muscular dystrophy and he is 13 as well, although he does
not have the same disease (he has Duchenne). Mattie was an inspiration to our
family. Our thoughts and prayers are with all who loved him.
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Mattie Stepanek will be greatly missed. He was a beautiful blessing and an
inspiration to the world! I know he now rests in the arms of Jesus, along with
his siblings.
May God bless his beautiful mother and grant her strength and peace. I'm so
thankful that she chose to share her precious son with us all.
Julie C.,
Livingston, Texas
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A Poet's Plea
The innocence of a child
Mattie
God uses the smallest things to show us the way - as Mattie's light glowed more
and more each day..
Only God! could of brought this sweet child into our world - brightened his
light so he'd be important to adults and boys and girls..
God took a fragile child let him say what needed to be said - as he gave Mattie
strength to leave his bed..
He put words in his mind, a vision in his soul - God did it quickly because
Mattie wasn't put here to grow old..
Mattie understood so much to be so young - as we learned to love this sweet
someone..
As Mattie spoke to us, he learned the love of self - and his Poetry helped him
deal with the reality of death..
He was a little boy with the bold of a man - reaching to others against life's
fan..
As I remember Mattie there was so much to love - what's so amazing was the
strength in his hugs..
Feeling the strength of a little boy, that could'nt physically reach to you and
me - but mentally he held us tightly, just being Mattie
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Dear Jeni
I've just been given Matie's book "Journey Through Heartsongs" to read since I
recently lost my daughter and a year ago lost my youngest son. My friend
thought that Mattie's words would be a comfort to me and, indeed, they have.
Now today, I just learned that Mattie has left us also. My heart is with you.
Your loss must be difficult since Mattie was such a special soul. Thank God for
his time, short as it was, as he has helped countless more than he would ever
know about.
He will be missed.
Sincerely,
Connie
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I just wanted to share my sympathies for Mattie's family. I am the mother of two
kids with MD and a spouse with MD. You always hope for the best.
Mattie will definitely be missed but he is no longer in any anguish.
Sherry
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My name is Gretchen and I'm 15 years old...I'm so sorry to hear what happened to
Mattie. I know how everyone is feeling...I didn't know much about him but I did
know that he was a VERY special person. He will be missed...May God bless all
of you and be with you at this point in life.
God bless all!
Forever in my prayers,
Gretchen
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I am a 52-year-old African American male living in Austin, Texas. Since learning
of Mattie (my mother's name) on the Oprah, I have been a true fan of this
remarkable individual. Like millions of others, I was captivated with his story
and the depth of his young spirit. After learning of his death, I re-read his
books and remembered his life. I don't cry easily, but I wept for what the
world lost. His work on earth was finished and now he can be whole and in the
presence of God. I know that I will always remember Mattie for teaching me to
look for new ways to thank Him for this gift of life and ways to share His love
every day.
Maurice
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What I loved about Mattie was hearing him speak, hearing his sweet voice. It
would be such a fitting honor for people to be able to hear his poetry and
books on tape.
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I was introduced to Mattie through Billy Gilman's music. That year, I bought one
of his books. I read every poem. I evendid a project in 7th grade English with
his poems. And in 8th grade I researched his disease, and did a report on it,
and included Mattie as the reason I'm who I am, and why I did the report. I
never got to meet him but I know I will. But I will see him very different, he
will be walking, running, and playing like Playing after his Storm. He has
taught me to live life to the fullest each day because you never know when your
time will come. This was his time and he is in the mansion God has built for
him. I know we will see you again soon enough, Mattie. And we all love you very
much!!!!!!!!!
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Mrs. Stepanek: I'm sorry with all my heart for your loss. Your son was a
beautiful boy with an angelic soul. He had the courage and strength of someone
years older. He never let his illness get in his way of writing his heart and
making an impact on society. A little boy who inspired many people, including
me. I hope you know that Mattie is in the arms of Jesus, along with your other
children. May God always and forever comfort you and your family in this time
of need. You are in my prayers. God bless you.
With love,
The Carroll family
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I wanted to write a note that hopefully will get to Mattie's mom. Mattie was a
wonderful gift to us all, but I want you to know what a wonderful example of
love and strength I see in you. I saw you on" Larry King Live" tonight and I
want you to know my husband and I will pray for you. You have so much to offer
so many people. I believe God has a big plan for you and I am speaking love and
joy into your life. You may have a hard time seeing it right now, but God will
see you through this.
"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so
that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." Romans 15:13
From one mom to another,
Denise
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Mattie left us far too early, but I do believe that his life and death will
further strengthen our fight against this deadly disease. My deepest thoughts
go to Jeni Stepanek. Mattie brought peace to all around him. We know that we
will all see him again someday. God bless you all.
Blaize
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First of all, I don't know what to say, I can't believe that the world and MDA
have lost such an amazing young poet who has such a big heart. I have not met
Mattie in person, but I have three of his books and they are so very touching
not only to myself but to my family as well. I wish to send my sympathies to
Mrs. Stepanek and the whole family as well the MDA families, staff and Jerry
Lewis. I am one of Jerry's "Kids" also and I do feel the same way what Mrs.
Stepanek says about MDA; they have been wonderful to me and my family, but the
real reason is that MDA is there for all the people and help them the way they
have helped Mattie. I will miss him with all my heart and the MDA won't be the
same without him. I know the Telethon won't be the same without him. I have
seen him on "Larry King Live," "Oprah," "Good Morning America," etc. Let's all
just be thankful that we are alive here on Earth today, and be thankful for
what we have, 'cause there are some things that we have that other people don't
have. All of a sudden one day we may not be here. I know that Mattie will be
within my heart and he will be an angel watching for all of us. Just remember
that young man that has tought us about life and hoping that we can have peace
'cause he was known as a "peacemaker and a poet," and anytime you hear from a
poet we can all think of Mattie. Let's all hope one day there will be peace.
I miss you Mattie today and everyday. G-d Bless you, Mattie, and your mom.
Now I have something to say to Mrs. Stepanek: You had such an amazing son who
you loved as much as he loved you and he will be missed by all of the people
that he touched. He watched out for you like you watched out for him. I will
miss him with my whole heart. Now we have an MDA angel watching us. I love you
and Mattie.
Seth,
Chicago, Ill.
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The Year Thirteen
...was unlucky, Mattie,
the age at which you died,
...just short of puberty.
You said
you wanted
just to be a dad.
Siblings three preceded you.
Your mother lingers
in the same sad storm of muscle madness
come to you.
Mattie, Matthew --
like my little cousin, Mick,
you vanish into
clouds I cannot see
for tears that choke my agony.
-- Miriam Kessler
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