Matthew is the youngest child of Paula and Jeff. He is also younger brother to Stephanie and Johnathon.

Matthew got caught up in our dogs chain on Palm Sunday of 1998. When Jake came running towards me, he twisted Matthew in a circle and snapped his right femur!

Matthew spent the first week in a body cast and upon x-ray it was found that he needed to be placed in traction. He then spent two weeks in traction at Children's Hospital. Upon release, he then spent another 7 weeks in a body cast. Talk about a long Spring!

During the first few years, Matthew often talked about his brother Johnathon. Daily we went through all the questions about Heaven and the "if Johnny were still alive." and "when Johnny was still alive."

I had so often feared that Matthew was so young that he would eventually forget his brother. Not that he will ever forget he has a brother.....just the REAL memories of him.

We keep Johnathon's memory alive for Matthew by speaking of him daily and keeping his pictures up and readily available for looking at. But, it is Matthew's real, actual, memories of his brother that I feared for in the future.

Unfortunately, several years later my fears became a reality. When talking with Matthew, he relayed that he can't actually remember Johnathon. I assured him that this is okay, he was only 4 years old when Johnathon ascended into Heaven. How many of us have clear, vivid memories from when we were four years old? :o(

You have been listening to
"Hang On Sloopy" by The McCoys

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