Mattie J.T. Stepanek

In Memory of
Mattie J.T. Stepanek
1990-2004


Heaven has a brand new poet
With wisdom beyond his years
He said - don't cry when I leave you
But we cannot help our tears

"You always walked a step behind"
Yet somehow stayed ahead
I was once afraid of death
But you cured me of that dread

With a smile that cut through illness
He shrugged away his pain
His writings were inspirational
We won't see the likes of him again

"A beautiful smile to hide the pain"
Dear Mattie that was your style
I know the world will hold it's breath
As we grieve for you a while

He's now striding through the heavens
This wonder Poet of the Age
Although he was just a little boy
He was nevertheless a sage

I used to think with my poetry
"I can fly higher than an eagle"
But now you're an Angel way above
I know I can never be so regal

He knew his life was limited
Yet he crusaded just the same
Mattie J.T. Stepanek
Was this amazing poet's name

It really doesn't seem quite fair
That he should suffer like he did
So much pain and torment
In such a little kid

But now he is in heaven
Giving God the benefit of his skill
And I'm sure that God can use him
And has made a special deal

He no longer needs his wheelchair
For he'll ride a Sun chariot through the sky
He will always be present in our prayers
So there's no need to say goodbye

"Thank you, thank you, thank God for you"
And your gift of poetic love
Mattie your heartsongs will never be forgot
As you smile down from up above


Albert Gazeley © 2004

Mattie J.T. Stepanek
by M.A.King


When I first heard of Mattie J.T. Stepanek he was a very young child and had already had his Heartsongs poetry books published. I bought them and was astounded at, not only his beautiful poetry, but also his great insights into world peace and how he spoke of his convictions with no apologies. Because of his eloquent and moving words, his views on peace and his unrelenting bliss in life he grabbed a hold of many hearts and his poetry worked miracles to promote the concepts of peace, tolerance and love.
Mattie was born on July 17, 1990, with dysautonomic mitochondrial myopathy which is a rare and devastating disease. Mattie uses a wheel chair and has a service dog. He also has a trachea and a ventilator that breathe for him, along with braces and other means of medical support. Mattie has a sister, Katie and two brothers, Steve and Jamie, who all died of this same disease. His mother has the adult onset of it also.

Despite all these hardships and though he suffered great pain with this disease Mattie still found a way to see joy and beauty in life. So much so that it flooded over onto all who met or heard him.
Mattie started writing/dictating poetry and short stories at the amazing age of three. The subjects vary and include: nature, world peace, grief, love, family, friends, school and more. His books (The Heartsongs Collection) have been used in schools and his second book in the Heartsongs collection rose to number one on the best seller list. He did public speaking concerning world peace and tolerance. Also having spoken at schools, churches, businesses, medical establishments, etc. and has appeared on many programs such as Oprah and Larry King. Mattie was the Goodwill Ambassador for the Muscular Dystrophy Association and spoke concerning his illness and the efforts of this Association.
I think the most amazing thing about this wonderful, young poet was his ability to grasp his calling and move forward with it, overcoming every obstacle no matter how great. (And many he has faced have been great, indeed). His gift of words, incredible talent and insightful wisdom that drive his poetry come from a strong and beautiful spirit.
One of my favorite poems by Mattie is "Faces of Faith" and was written when he was just six years old. This stunning poem describes his reverence and love of life, his desire for peace on earth, and his belief that each human soul has their own 'Heartsong' to discover better than any biography ever could:

Faces of Faith

I wish that the people who have
Anger and hatred and sadness
Will remember about their Heartsongs,
And get them back.
Everyone is born with a Heartsong,
But as we grow up,
Sometimes we forget about it,
Because we don't listen to it enough.
And the people of war, well,
They really need to get them back.
Their Heartsongs really need to live,
Because when we die,
They are what rise up.
I want that to happen to me.
I want my Heartsong to rise up, and
I am trying my best down here on earth.
You really can go to Heaven.
Everyone can.
But sometimes,
You have to sit in ThinkTime
When you lose your Heartsong.
And that is sad because some people
Who go sit in ThinkTime,
They never come back.
And some people just thing and realize,
And then they come back.
But if we remember to listen to our Heartsongs,
We will not need to go to ThinkTime.
Our songs will just rise up out of our hearts,
And take our spirits straight on to Heaven.
I will remember to listen to my Heartsong.
I will remind others, especially the grown-ups,
To listen to their Heartsongs, too.
And for the people who have forgotten theirs,
I will share mine with them.
Maybe they will keep mine, and
Maybe it will remind them of their own.
But what really matters is that we
Keep the faces of faith, and
Listen to our Heartsongs, and live
So that we can die and Live again.

© Matthew Joseph Thaddeus Stepanek 1996

Matthew Joseph Thaddeus Stepanek passed away on June, 22, 2004 at the age of 13 from the effects of battling this disease that weakened his young body. He leaves behind a legacy of perseverance, peace, and love of life.
Mattie's motto: "Think gently, speak gently, live gently."

Some More Quotes:

"There can be many different views of what Heaven is like, because Heaven is whatever makes each person eternally and fully happy."


"Even though the future seems far away, it is actually beginning right now. And while we are living in the present, we mush celebrate life everyday, knowing that we are becoming history with every work, every action, every deed."

from Fortunes, Prayers, and Quotes by Mattie Stepanek (c) Matthew Joseph Thaddeus Stepanek

Read Mattie's Poetry

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