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In Memoriam
Mattie J. T. Stepanek
Poet, Peacemaker
1990 – 2004 |
CELEBRATING A LIFE OF PEACE
We came to know about this amazing young
person several years ago when Mattie began to appear on network television
talk shows. Oprah, Rosie O’Donnell, Larry King and the various morning
shows brought Mattie’s poetry into millions of homes. Several of Mattie’s
books have been featured on this web site in the Words of Wisdom. (We have also grouped them together below
on this page).
Mattie became a best-selling author when
his book of poetry “Journey Through Heartsongs”, topped the New York Times
Bestseller list. The prolific author of five books: “Heartsongs”,
“Celebrating Heartsongs”, “Hope Through Heartsongs”, and “Loving Through Heartsongs”, Mattie described his “Heartsong” as “the message or song my
heart tells”. He maintained that each of us has our own individual
“Heartsong” which is our “inner beauty, message, songs in our hearts”
and it was important to listen to it. Mattie’s first book, “Heartsongs” is
“dedicated to those who believe in celebrating gifts of life every day”.
In his dedication Mattie reminds the reader to
“Always remember to play after every storm!”.
Mattie, who began writing his poetry at
age three, shared his thoughts and feelings about life, death, nature,
humanity, planetary peace and individual responsibility freely in his poetry
and in person. His work has been praised by many, including author Gary Zukov, Jerry Lewis, Chairman of the Muscular Dystrophy Association, and
President Carter, among others.
Mattie’s personal hero was President
Jimmy Carter, whom he met in person for the first time during one of Mattie’s
appearances on Oprah. Mattie spoke openly about his illness, a rare form of
muscular dystrophy, and he became a spokesperson for others afflicted with
the disease, which claimed three of his older siblings. Jeni, Mattie’s mom
has the ‘adult onset’ form of MD as well. Mattie became the National
Ambassador of Goodwill for the MDA in 2002.
Recently, while listening to Mattie
reading his poem “9/11” and prayer
“For Our World”,
we were struck by the connection between Mattie’s writing and that of
Russell Paul Schofield. As Mattie spoke his words, we were flooded with the
recollection of the inspiring opening verse from Russell’s book, Imprint
Unmistakable called “Listen Now!” It seems appropriate to share
this in honor of Mattie:
I
tell you
this –
not to inform
you
but rather to confirm
the knowing already known –
not yet accepted
by the mind
conditioned to reject
the inner wisdom sparks
that fall like falling stars
to blaze away their light –
then go dark in uncomprehending
airy resistance.
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From Imprint Unmistakable
© Russell Paul Schofield, 1970 |
Mattie surrendered his earthly body on
Tuesday, June 22, 2004, after a lifetime of physical challenges associated
with MD. He was 13 years old. Mattie is survived by his mother, Jeni, whom
we hold in our prayers.
We honor Mattie and his life mission –
“To spread peace to the world”.
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 HEARTSONGS
Mattie J.T. Stepanek
The first publication of Mattie’s
poems or Heartsongs, this book is “dedicated to those who believe in celebrating
gifts of life every day”. In his dedication, Mattie reminds the reader to “Always
remember to play after every storm!”.
VSP Books, Alexandria, VA,
ISBN: 1-893622-11-8
 JOURNEY THROUGH
HEARTSONGS
Mattie J.T. Stepanek
Making it to the top of the New York
Times Bestseller list is a remarkable feat for any author. In the case of
Journey Through
Heartsongs, it is absolutely amazing! This is a book of poetry written by a
remarkable, eleven-year-old boy, who uses this medium to share his Heartsongs – his
thoughts, perceptions and feelings about life, death, the beauty of nature, Angels and the
gift of God’s love.
Be prepared to laugh and to cry as you
take the Journey with Mattie.
Hyperion, NY,
ISBN: 0-7868-6942-9
 HOPE THROUGH
HEARTSONGS
Mattie J.T. Stepanek
“...A heartsong is something deep
inside each of us. It’s our sense of why we are here and how we can keep going. It is
like a purpose. It may be to live as a mommy or a daddy, or a firefighter or a deliver
person, or a child with a disability who teaches others about patience and love and
acceptance. Heartsongs are usually easy to hear when we are young, but we sometimes
get too busy or hurt or angry to listen to them as we get older. And, just like any gift
that isn’t cared for or used well, it is possible to forget how to listen to the
message of each song, But even if we completely lose our heartsong, we can share someone
else’s song until we are able to reawaken or recreate our own. ...”
“Hope for Within”, “Hope
for Each Other” and “Hope for Our World” are areas for which Mattie shares
his Heartsongs. “9-11...2001” and “For Our World”
(click on title for excerpt) are two especially moving pieces in
this collection of remarkable wisdom from Mattie – Poet and Peacemaker.
Hyperion, NY,
ISBN: 0-7868-6944-5
 CELEBRATE
THROUGH HEARTSONGS
Mattie
J.T.Stepanek
VSP Books/Hyperion, NY
ISBN: 0-7868-6945-3
Young author, Mattie Stepanek
continues to share his poetry and visions of peace in this latest publication
Celebrate
Through Heartsongs.
Mattie’s impressive communications have been featured on Oprah Winfrey, Good
Morning America and other network television shows. Readers of any age will
find Mattie’s poems inspirational and uplifting.
 LOVING
THROUGH HEARTSONGS
Mattie J. T. Stepanek
Hyperion Press, NY
ISBN: 0-78686946-1
Maya Angelo writes in her Forward to this 5th
book in the Heartsong series – “It is remarkable that a
person so young could have the wisdom to write, “It matters that the world knows
we must celebrate the gift of life every day. We must remember to play after
every storm”. Mattie J. T. Stepanek means to lift up every person, lift up every
human being and carry us all across the finish line, each of us first, each of
us a winner.”
LOVING THROUGH HEARTSONGS – is in Mattie’s
words the final book of the Heartsong series. While he spoke also of his desire
to continue writing and sharing his thoughts, feelings and prayers with the
world, the final poem of the book seems to express his inner wisdom and
awareness of the impossibility of fulfillment. In the poem, “Timeless Existence”, Mattie
shares his thoughts about life everlasting:
It is nice when people
Notice you are present, but
It is important when people
Notice you are absent.
It is said that “absence
Makes the heart grow fonder.”
We should rather that “presence
Makes the heart grow fondest.”
Then, even when we are
Gone into our future,
We still live in
The present of our past.
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Many of these titles are
available in audio and electronic format. |
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