I did not see it, but I learned from another dear friend that Mattie's mom Jeni, was on Good Morning America the other morning, and told Charlie Gibson, that at one point during Mattie's last days his heart stopped for 45 minutes...and they brought him back...

Upon awakening, Mattie asked why they brought him back, and his mom told him they thought it was the right thing to do....

Mattie revealed that during that time, he saw Heaven, and some friends, and his brothers and sister and it was beautiful...

THIS....HAS GIVEN ME SOOO MUCH BALM!!!

I think it's wonderful that he was able to let his mom know this as my heart has been aching for this remarkable woman too, who lost three other children to the same disease. She played such a great part in making Mattie's life as fulfilling as possible.

Because of his beautiful little soul, he had a much more fulfilling life (albiet short), than so many of us who are allowed longer times to live on this earth plane, becaue he lived each and every day to the fullest, with no fear of tomorrow (knowing he was terminal) and had nothing but love and peace in his beautiful little heart. WHAT AN INSPIRATION!

I know you're sad too Nephthys, but I hope letting you know this, softens the grief somewhat....It certainly helped me deal with mine...*sigh*

POSTED: 2:14 pm EDT June 28, 2004
UPDATED: 2:35 pm EDT June 28, 2004

WHEATON, Md. -- Former President Jimmy Carter on Monday eulogized a 13-year-old poet as the "most extraordinary person" he's ever met.

Carter spoke at the funeral of Mattie Stepanek, the young muscular dystrophy advocate who wrote several best-selling books of inspirational poetry while suffering from the disease.

Carter recalled how he met the boy three years ago, when the Make-A-Wish Foundation sent him a letter saying Mattie's final request was to meet him.

Carter said he was "surprised and honored" and that the two began a friendship after meeting on a television show.

Carter got a laugh from the crowd when he told them how Mattie's poetry books always rose higher on the best-seller list than his books -- and that the boy tried to console him.

Talk-show host Oprah Winfrey also was on hand, saying those who met Stepanek will "glow" for the rest of their lives.

Stepanek died Tuesday from a rare form of the disease at Children's National Medical Center in Washington, D.C.

A hospital official said Stepanek had been hospitalized since early March for complications related to the disease that impaired most of his body's functions.

In his short life, the tireless Stepanek wrote five volumes of poetry that sold millions of copies. Three of the volumes reached the New York Times' best-seller list.

Entertainer Jerry Lewis said in a statement that Stepanek was "something very special."

<<<<<<Oprah put it so succinctly...'n got it soooo right! It only took a meeting with Mattie via the TV screen, to give ME that "glow" forever! Rainbow~>>>>>>