Mattie was suffering from a hereditary disease called dysautonomic mitochondrial myopathy, as was his mother. This rare form of muscular dystrophy had already claimed the lives of his three older. Matthew joseph thaddeus stepanek july 17, 1990 june 22, 2004, known as mattie j. Jeni stepanek, watching her son from audiences and green rooms.
Site support and maintenance by lowthian design works. As this book shows, mattie, poet and peacemaker, is a. When jim hawkins of childrens hospice international nominated mattie stepanek as a hero on this web site, the young poet hero was only six years old and had already written several hundred poems. Stepanek and heartsongs hardcover, 2009 and paperback, 2010 written by mattie s mom, jeni, and with a foreword by maya angelou, this ny times bestselling memoir offers readers intimate details about mattie s earliest years through his final days of life. From heartsongs, to vietnam war memorial, to prayer for a journey, mattie has written movingly and courageously about life and death, love and loss, faith and hope, innocence and joy. Heartsongs is a collection of the early poems and artwork of this gifted, courageous, awardwinning poet. Discount prices on books by mattie j t stepanek, including titles like heartsongs 23 part treble. This book is his mothers reflections of their life as a family.
Matthew joseph thaddeus stepanek, known as mattie stepanek, was an american poet, who had six books of poetry and one book of essays all reach the new york times bestsellers list. The moving tribute to the young man oprah winfrey called an inspirationtold by the woman who raised him. Stepanek all material on this website is owned and ed by mattie j. Matties final book is a collection of peace essays and poetry, letters and. His first three books of poetry are titled heartsongs, journey through heartsongs, and hope through heartsongs. Despite a rare, debilitative disease dysautonomic mitochondrial myopathy mattie managed to publish five poetry books before his passing at. Stepanek and heartsongs by jeni stepanek and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at. Id seen mattie stepanek on oprah as a child with muscular dystrophy. His struggle with a rare form of muscular dystrophy has given him wisdom and insight.
Stepanek poetry contest, students of all ages are invited to submit poems, art, film or audio illustrating a poem. Enjoy the best mattie stepanek quotes at brainyquote. Born on july 17, 1990, mattie began creating and sharing heartsongs at the. Matthew joseph thaddeus stepanek, known as mattie stepanek, was an american poet, who had six books of poetry and one book. Stepanek during a memorial mass 15 years after his death. Matthew the apostle and the international day of peace.
His volume hartsongs reached the new york times bestsellers list. Discover book depositorys huge selection of mattie j t stepanek books online. Stepanek, including hope through heartsongs, and just peace. Stepanek has 16 books on goodreads with 3011 ratings.
Stepanek lived and died a child, but he had the spirit of a giant. He became a peace advocate and motivational speaker, and lobbied on capitol hill on behalf of peaceneutrality is disputed, people with. She became head of the mattie jt stepanek foundation, an endeavor to promulgate, as he said, that peace is possible. Mattie, was born with dysautonomic mitochondrial myopathy, a disease which led to his death in june of 2004. He was wise, kind, and a poet with a terminal disease. Stepanek 29 followers matthew joseph thaddeus stepanek, known as mattie stepanek, was an american poet, who had six books of poetry and one book of. Not only did they hit the bestseller lists, but the books and mattie himself were a source of inspiration to many, and brought him major recognition. He became a peace advocate and motivational speaker, and lobbied on capitol hill on behalf of peace, people with disabilities, and children with lifethreatening conditions. He was a motivational speaker and the national goodwill ambassador for the muscular dystrophy association for three years. Not only did they hit the bestseller lists, but the books and mattie himself were a source of inspiration to many, and. Stepanek takes us on a journey through heartsongs with more of his moving poems. Matthew joseph thaddeus stepanek july 17, 1990 june 22, 2004, known as mattie stepanek, was an american poet, who published five books of poetry and one book of essays.
Affected by a rare and fatal neuromuscular disease, mattie lived almost fourteen years but in that time became a poet, bestselling author, peace activist, and a prominent voice for the muscular dystrophy association. Stepanek s celebrate through heartsongs is a truly inspirational read. Stepanek, was an american poet or, as he wanted to be remembered, a poet, a peacemaker, and a philosopher who played who published seven bestselling books of poetry and peace essays. Affected by a rare and fatal neuromuscular disease, mattie lived almost fourteen years but in that time became a poet, bestselling author, peace activist, and a prominent voice for. A message of hope 2006 mattie s final book is a collection of peace essays and poetry, letters and photographs, and selections from several years of email correspondence between mattie and former president jimmy carter. This ny times bestseller offers readers three sections in which mattie shares his vision of the world and humanity as a. Fifteen years after her son died, jeni stepanek focuses on. How mattie stepaneks words inspired millions the oprah. Mattie stepanek was born on july 17, 1990 in washington, district of columbia, usa as matthew joseph thaddeus stepanek. I recently completed my new copy of journey through heartsongs, by mattie stepanek.
Mattie stepanek s heartsongs books were a phenomenon. Stepanek, including hope through heartsongs, and loving through. In,heartsongs, mattie explores the uncensored reality of living with a rare form of muscular dystrophy and with the grief associated with the loss of his three siblings to the same lifethreatening condition. Mattie is a frequent public speaker who has appeared on oprah, good morning america, and larry king and has had his poetry. The mission of the guild is to gather information and reflections about mattie s life and heroic virtues for the possible cause of canonization. Stepanek and heartsongs was a powerful read for me. Mattie, a young boy who had a rare form of muscular dystrophy, and who lost 3 siblings in his lifetime, celebrates life in this collection of expressive and free form poems. Stepanek, a wellrespected poet and awardwinning peace ambassador, lived a life that was brief in length but powerfully blessed with depth. This book deserves a close and relaxed reading due to its healing message and mattie s incredible insights. What a beautiful book of poems by such a young soul, 11 yr mattie j. He died in june 2004 from dysautonomic mitochondrial myopathy. Quotations by mattie stepanek, american poet, born july 17, 1990. The awardwinning bestselling poetry of 11yearold mattie stepanek has touched the lives of hundreds and thousands of people. Mattie and his mother, jeni, are two of the most extraordinary people we have been privileged to meet.
Stepanek s most popular book is journey through heartsongs. Mattie is a frequent public speaker who has appeared on oprah, good morning america, and larry king and has had his poetry published in newspapers and magazines nationwide. Jeni worked with a graphic artist who read his books to design the layout. Stepanek poetry contest, students of all ages are invited to submit poems, art, film or audio illustrating a poem to celebrate heroes. Love for his family, friends, country, and faith imbues these poems with a heartfelt nature that is rare and inspiring. Before his death at the age of he had become known as a peace advocate and motivational speaker. He wrote six books of poetry and one book on peacemaking. Stepanek, who suffered from a rare form of muscular dystrophy and unfortunately lost his. Stepanek and heartsongs 9780525951421 by jeni stepanek and a great selection of similar new, used and collectible books available now at. Journey through heartsongs by mattie jt stepanek hachette book. Jeni had promised mattie she would get her phd, and she did, in 2008, with honors. Stepanek guild was initiated on september 21, 2012 the feast of st.
Stepanek and jose maria verger fransay dec 1, 2002. Stepanek, best known as mattie, has been writing poetry and short stories since age three. Stepanek was a poet, a peace activist, and the bestselling author of the heartsongs poetry series. Mattie stepanek inspirational quotes spreadinggratitude1.
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