Circle of Happiness

(Mattie Stepanek, 1990-2004, and his mother Jeni)

Love begets love.

The young poet Mattie Stepanek understood that.

Mattie had a rare form of muscular dystrophy, which had killed his two brothers and his sister. He began to write when he was only three years old, going on to publish six volumes of poems and one of prose to great acclaim. In those books, he put into words a remarkably cheerful and joyous view of life. He celebrated the power of love. And he faced his imminent death with startling honesty and frankness.

CIRCLE OF HAPPINESS

I am a little kid
For you to love.
I am a little kid
For you to hug and kiss.
I am a little kid
For you to say,
“You are so special,
Yes you are” to.
I am a little kid
For all of those things
And more.
And when you
Feel and say and do
All of those things,
I will be a little kid
Who will hug and kiss you.
I will be a little kid
Who will say to you,
“You are so special, too,
Yes you are.”
I will be a little kid
Who will do all of those things
And more.
And that is what
Happiness
Is all about.

~ Mattie J. T. Stepanek, from his book Heartsongs

Eternal Role Call

(Mattie J. T. Stepanek, 1990-2004)

Mattie Stepanek began writing poetry when he was three years old, after his elder brother died from a rare form of muscular dystrophy. Later, the condition also killed his sister and his other brother, and then Mattie himself when he was thirteen.

Mattie wrote six books of poems and one of prose, to great acclaim. All his books rejoice in the celebration of life. He remained brave and cheerful and full of hope in the midst of suffering and even in the face of his own imminent death. He was in many ways a saint, a remarkable example to us all.

ETERNAL ROLE CALL

I will paint rainbows
When the spring comes,
And children will dance
And smile in the music of my colors.
I will shape clouds
When the summer comes,
And children will chant
And dream in the melody of my creations.
I will whistle winds
When the fall comes,
And children will listen
And hum in the understanding of leaves.
I will jingle stars
When the winter comes,
And children will laugh
And believe in the ballads of the season.
I will revolve seasonally
When my death comes,
And children will remember
And share their Heartsongs,
Celebrating the gifts in the circle of life.

~ Mattie J. T. Stepanek, from his book Celebrate Through Heartsongs