(by Mike Blanding, father of Mateo)
I’ve never liked the idea of being vulnerable.
Never let them see you sweat. Strive in private, thrive in public. Don’t play games you can’t win. Keep a stiff upper lip. And always, always, always protect your personal brand. These are rules that I’ve lived by my whole life. Well… up until March, 2020, that is.
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(By Joanna Blanding, mother to Mateo)
"You'll probably bring that 'adventure' into his life." This was a good friend's candid remark when I asked, "Do you think Mike will be ready for the kind of life I'm used to?"
(by Mike Blanding, father of Mateo)
I’ve heard it said that a father has two roles: (1) provider; and (2) protector. Now that may seem a bit old-school for the modern Dad, but I really do take these two roles very seriously. And I thoroughly enjoy both roles. I find delight in being able to provide for my family physically, emotionally, and spiritually; and I take pride in being able to protect my family both literally and figuratively.
(by Mike Blanding, father of Mateo)
I’ve heard friends say that our suffering is an indication that either
(by Mike Blanding, father of Mateo)
Today I wake up with a mind flooded with questions: Is heaven real? Is Mateo there? What is heaven like? Is it perfect? Will I see him again? Will he be older when I see him in heaven, or will he still be a baby? Will I get a second chance to watch him grow up?
(by Mike Blanding, father of Mateo)
I am not a perfect father. I never have been. I never will be.
(Written on March 20, 2020, by Joanna Blanding, mother to Mateo)
It's been four days since our beloved little Mateo passed on.
(by Joanna Blanding)
I've been asking God lately what he means by obedience. Being a Christian means being a follower of Christ. It's not about being religious.
(March 9, 2020 beside Mateo’s bed at the Children’s ICU at KK Hospital, Singapore. By Joanna Blanding.)
I write while watching Mateo soundly asleep in his bed. The nurses move with precision around me. There is no room for error. He is heavily intubated. It's his eighth day at the ICU. How we got here is a blur. But I can't leave the events of the last few days unmentioned, let alone unprocessed. For my mental health, I need to recount them. For our spiritual gain, we need to talk about them. |
#MightyMateo's parents document their journey through grief towards healing.
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