Love Poem: Mattie, My Hero

Mattie, My Hero

Mattie was a gentle soul, weak in body yet in spirit bold, touching lives profoundly with his words of inspiration. A mature mind, though a child, with a poet's heart of gold, living life fully as a gift from God and celebration. Despite an incurable disease, he had a zest for life, sharing love and peace through poetry, speech and lyric. While publically speaking, he demonstrated his courage through strife, and chose to live with love and laughter; he was sick but not in spirit. This pint-sized hero was brilliant, thoughtful and eloquent., He believed every person can make a difference in some way. A seven-time, bestselling author, his words of peace were resonant, His motto was think, speak, and live gently, his philosophy to play and pray. He lived his short life in a wheelchair with a ventilator, in and out of hospitals, unable to run and play like other children. Yet he chose to be a participator in life not a spectator. His "heart song" shined brightly on the outside from within. He left this world to be with God before he turned fourteen-years-old. I often wonder what my bright, young hero might have achieved. If he had lived a few more years, what wisdom would he have told? Mattie shared God's love on earth, and in mankind...he believed. April 10, 2012 for Holding Out for a Hero Contest (Janette Fisher) *Mattie Stepanek, July 17, 1990 - June 22, 2004 visit www.mattieonline.com for more information about Mattie's inspirational life and poetry