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| From the book Journey Through Heartsongs by Mattie J.T. Stepanek I have a song, deep in my heart, And only I can hear it. If I close my eyes and sit very still It is so easy to listen to my song. When my eyes are open and I am so busy and moving and busy, If I take time and listen very hard, I can still hear my Heartsong. It makes me feel happy. Happier than ever. Happier than everywhere And everything and everyone In the whole wide world Happy like thinking about Going to Heaven when I die. My Heartsong sounds like this: I love you! I love you! How happy you can be! How happy you can make The whole world be! And sometimes it's other Tunes and words, too, But it always sings the Same special feeling to me. It makes me think of Jamie, and Katie and Stevie, And other wonderful things. This is my special song. But do you know what? All people have a special song Inside their hearts! Everyone in the show wide world Has a special Heartsong. If you believe in magical, musical hearts, And if you believe you can be happy, Then you, too, will hear your song. March 1996 © Matthew Joseph Thaddeus Stepanek |
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| "I want people to know my life philosophy, to remember to play after every storm." — Mattie Stepanek |
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| Born with a rare form of muscular dystrophy, 11 year old Mattie Stepanek is living through a difficult storm. His mom, Jeni, also has the disease, which she didn't discover until after she had four children. Mattie's three siblings all died from the disease—but remarkably, Mattie recovered from a near-fatal sickness this past year. Though he still struggles with his illness, he is achieving great feats: earning a junior black belt in martial arts, homeschooling at the 11th grade level, and having his poetry published. Mattie has always had three wishes: to have his poems published, to meet his hero Jimmy Carter and to share his message of peace on The Oprah Winfrey Show. Now all three of his wishes have been granted. When Oprah asked Mattie why he chose those three things, he explained, "Because they were things that would last forever. Going to Disney World ends in a week. But being able to talk with Jimmy Carter, being able to have my books published, being able to talk to you here today, lasts forever." What is a Heartsong? Mattie has been writing poetry since he was three years old. "I write to express my thoughts and feelings," he explains. You hear the word "heartsongs" a lot in his work. "Your heartsong is your inner beauty," says Mattie. "It's the song in your heart that wants you to help make yourself a better person, and to help other people do the same. Everybody has one." |
| Our eyes are for looking at things, But they are also for crying When we are very happy or very sad. Our ears 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." April 1995 © Matthew Joseph Thaddeus Stepanek |
| "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 |
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| Making real sense of the sense |
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