At the Playground

I just completed this little mini-book featuring the photos I took at the Mattie J.T. Stepanek Memorial Peace Garden playground in Rockville, MD. We had such a wonderful time with Charlie that day. He had fun running from swings to slide to jungle gym and of course numerous trips to the water fountain. Papa did all of the chasing while I took all of the pictures. The little book is made using only cardstock and two A2 sized envelopes (for the covers). The pages are stamped with various tree stamps. My friend, the clever and inventive Carolyn Dewey, shared a little book with me that she had made , and I couldn't wait to make one for us. I printed the photographs from my computer in wallet size which is the perfect size for a small mini-book project. I've decided that a basket or wooden box on the coffee table filled with "one event" little scrapbooks is the way to go.

NOTE: Mattie J.T. Stepanek was a remarkable boy. He suffered from a rare form of muscular dystrophy, dysautonomic mitochondrial myopathy. In the course of his life, a mere 14 years, he was able to accomplish many things in the name of peace. He wanted to be remembered as "a poet, a peacemaker and a philosopher who played". If you had a chance to see any of the interviews with Mattie, or read any of his books of poetry, you couldn't help but have your heart touched by this remarkable young man. You can hear about the Peace Garden here and there is much more information to be found by Googling Mattie's name. Every bench surrounding the playground area is inscribed with one of Mattie's inspiring quotes. After we finished playing, we walked over to the display which included an audio presentation in Mattie's own voice. It made both of us cry to hear his voice again. I'm so glad we had a chance to visit here and we thank God for our healthy little Charlie!