Mattie Stepanik passed away

[RaySharpton]

"Making Real Sense of the Senses"

Our eyes are for looking at things,
But they are also for crying

When we are very happy or very sad.
Our eyes are for listening.
But so are our hearts.

Our noses are for smelling food
But also the wind and the grass and
If we try very hard, butterflies.

Our hands are for feeling.
But also for hugging and touching so gently.

Our mouths and tongues are for tasting.

But also for saying words, like
"I love you," and

"Thank you God, for all of these things."

Excerpted from the book Heartsongs by Mattie J.T. Stepanek Copyright © Sept. 2001, Mattie J.T. Stepanek. Published by VSP Books/Hyperion

 

[dizneenut]

Oh how sad. Mattie was an amazing young man.

 

[TINK61]

How tragic. His mother has the adult form for his disease and the three older siblings died from it as well. How much tragedy in that family. I really makes me want to rethink my own complaints.

 

[Tigger&Tink]

Yes..Very sad in deed, but Mattie is free of his chair and RUNNING with the angels now,,REST IN PEACE MATTIE,,,your poems will live forever!

Tink--Linda

 

[mum4jenn]

Such a sad day. Heaven has gained a wonderful angel.

 

[MaryAnnDVC]

I've been teary all day since I heard the news. What a precious child and what a terrible loss, but he taught many lessons on love and life while he was here.

 

[wovenwonder]

You have so generously showed your outpouring of love and support for Mattie and his family throughout the years. Sadly, our friend lost his battle with a rare form of muscular dystrophy on June 22, 2004.


Oprah.com Link

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Please share your message for Mattie, his mother Jeni, their family and friends. [click on the link above]


When I die - by Mattie Stepanek
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

 

[airhead]

I remember seeing him on TV quite a few years ago and thinking
what a wonderful little person he was. Sad that his life was so short.

 

[minnie56]

You have to believe he had a special purpose here on this Earth as he has left many footprints on many hearts.


God Bless him and his family.

 

[The LK 4]

My kids and I watched a rerun last night of an interview with Mattie on Larry King. Such an adorable and well spoken young man. My prayers are with his mother and family. I can't believe she has had to live through all four of her children passing away before her.

 

[Cinderellafifi]

He was remarkable. The tears were streaming this morning while watching the story on Today. I should feel ashamed to ever think my life is tough.

 

[Tinkerbelle739]

How sad. I have seen him on alot of show in the past few years. He reached alot of people and raised alot of money for research.

 

[birdiesunshine]

What a sweet and adorable little boy. Even with all of the sadness in his life and his own personal hardships, he always spoke with a smile on his face!! Everytime I saw him on T.V. I always had tears in my eyes. What a sad day!!

 

[Otto's Doll]

This precious boy no longer has to imagine....


I can only imagine what it will be like, when I walk by Your side...
I can only imagine, what my eyes will see, when Your Face is before me!
I can only imagine. I can only imagine.
Surrounded by Your Glory, what will my heart feel?
Will I dance for you, Jesus? Or in awe of You, be still?
Will I stand in Your presence, or to my knees will I fall?
Will I sing 'Hallelujah!'? Will I be able to speak at all?
I can only imagine! I can only imagine!

I can only imagine, when that day comes, when I find myself standing in the Son!
I can only imagine, when all I will do, is forever, forever worship You!
I can only imagine! I can only imagine!

Surrounded by Your Glory, what will my heart feel?

Will I dance for you, Jesus? Or in awe of You, be still?
Will I stand in Your presence, or to my knees will I fall?
Will I sing 'Hallelujah!'? Will I be able to speak at all?
I can only imagine! Yeah! I can only imagine!

Surrounded by Your Glory, what will my heart feel?

Will I dance for you, Jesus? Or in awe of You, be still?
Will I stand in Your presence, or to my knees will I fall?
Will I sing 'Hallelujah!'? Will I be able to speak at all?
I can only imagine! Yeah! I can only imagine!

I can only imagine! Yeah! I can only imagine!! Only imagine!!!
I can only imagine.

I can only imagine, when all I do is forever, forever worship You!
I can only imagine."

 

[dwbakerjr]

Wow-zer...

I gess more people knew Mattie than I thot...

Our family's favorite (and hanging in my office is)..



When the trees sing,
It doesnt really matter if you know the song,
Or if you know the words,
Or even if you know the tune.

What really matters is
Knowing that the trees are singing at all.

(Mattit Stepanik / 1998)

 

[DisneyAddict_M]

He accomplished more in his short life than most adults accomplish in their lifetime. I remember hearing about him a few years ago...and the next time I heard about him was when he had passed on. How sad.

 

[winniedapooh]

Just an FYI for anyone interested.....Billy Gillman and Mattie teamed up and made a CD of Heartsongs which Billy sings. It is one of my kids favorite CD's and is absolutely beautifuly done. Billy even made it into the top 10 with one of the videos on VH1 Country. Godspeed Mattie.....