STORM2K

http://www.guardian.co.uk/worldlatest/s ... 95,00.html

He was a poet and a peacemaker.

He is my inspiration for the work I do.

http://www.myhero.com/myhero/hero.asp?h ... ieStepanek

http://www.oprah.com/spiritself/insp/ps ... ttie.jhtml

When I die, I want to be
A child in Heaven.
I want to be
A ten-year-old cherub.
I want to be
A hero in Heaven,
And a peacemaker,
Just like my goal on Earth.
I will ask God if I can
Help the people in Purgatory.
I will help them think,
About their life,
And their spirits,
About their future.
I will help them
Hear their Heartsongs again,
So they can finally
See the face of God,
So soon.
When I die,
I want to be,
Just like I want to be
Here on[?] Earth.

November 1999
© Matthew Joseph Thaddeus Stepanek

I am saddened by his death,but he is free of the wheel chair and free of the ventilator.His is free to do what he did here on Earth he is doing it now in Heaven.

I thank God for giving us Matthew,you are my inspriation and we will find a cure.

Steve O.

God bless his wonderful heart! How sad, but now he's a cherub and hero in heaven.

I liked his poem "Kindergarten-itis" and this one, "9/11....2001"

"People are now fighting about how our heartsongs are different, but they don't need to be the same. … That's the beauty. We are a mosaic of gifts. Each of us has our inner beauty no matter how we look," says Mattie. On September 11, after learning about the terrorist attacks, Mattie wrote this poignant poem.

It was a dark day in America. There was no Amazing Grace.
Freedom did not ring.
Tragedy attacked sky-high.
Fiery terror reigned.
Structures collapsed.
Red with blood, white with ash,
And out-of-the-sky blue.
As children trust elders,
Citizens find faith in leaders.
But all were blinded,
Shocked by the blasts.
Undefiable outrage.
Undeniable outpouring
Of support, even prayer,
Or at least moments of silence.
Church and State
Could not be separated.
A horrific blasting of events
With too few happy endings.
Can the children sleep
Safely in their beds tonight?
Can the citizens ever rest
Assured of national security again?
God, please, bless America…
And the rest of our earthly home.

September 11, 2001
© Matthew Joseph Thaddeus Stepanek

I don't have my speakers here at home, so I'll listen to him read it tomorrow at work. Here's the link if anyone else would like to:

http://www.oprah.com/spiritself/insp/ps ... LARAYIRNWQ

I remember seeing that inspirational young man on occasion when he'd do interviews on Good Morning America and other national news programs.

His family and friends are in my prayers and thoughts.

God Bless You, Mattie...

Eric

I just found out tonight (online) that Mattie was born on Tuesday, July 17, 1990, exactly 13 years after me.

Same birthday as our fellow member, Stephanie, too.

one of our local news stations covered mattie's death. He really made his mark with the writings. (this particular news station carries the MD telethon)

He is surely in peace now...and the wonderful thing about inspiration is that it not only lives after death but often flourishes!

Thank you God for the gift of Mattie.

He was very wise for his tender age. I heard him a couple times on Larry King and was very impressed.

May he rest in peace.

How sad... I saw him several times on television. He was wise beyond his years.

Rest in peace Mattie!

I watched the tribute to him last night on Larry King.
He was such a sweetheart.
May he rest in peace!
My heart breaks for his mother---this is the 4th child she has lost to muscular dystrophy and she has the disease herself.

WHAT AN INSPIRATION HE SHOULD BE FOR ALL OF US!!! TRULY A SAD DAY!!!

May he rest in peace. His contirbutions will live on forever!!!

Prayers going out to the family!!

I just read about him in the paper this morning. He contributed SO MUCH in his short life!

What a sad day. He's in a better place now that he no longer suffers. I heard about it this morning while making breakfast. He's surely an inspiration to all of us and he'll be dearly missed.

Rest In Peace Mattie.

Oh, you can find Billy Gilman's latest album "Music Through Heartsongs" based on the poems by Mattie.

May he rest in peace!!

Just think...while it's sad that he will no longer be here with us, for the first time Mattie is able to walk, run, jump and play with his siblings.

I pray for his mother and his friends that loved him - I pray they can find comfort and strength...

I've had a lump in my throat all day - I have several of Mattie's books and I've always been so motivated by his interviews.

What a special little boy and what a blessing to have his words and memory.

I did not know who this was until my Mother told me a few minutes ago. This boy should be an inspiration for all! So sad!

He maybe gone, but his spirit is still alive and kickin'.

Man, I wish I would've met him.

TexasStooge wrote:He maybe gone, but his spirit is still alive and kickin'.

Man, I wish I would've met him.

I agree

MDA has established a Memorial Fund in memory of Mattie.
http://releases.usnewswire.com/GetRelea ... 1-06232004

Contributions may be made online at
http://www.mdausa.org/