"As small as it may seem, a good deed is always worth the doing." Spark Matsunaga

Sometimes, a story just hits me right between the eyes.  That happened today.

A 14 year old boy who lives in Reynoldsville, PA *(the center of the state) is dying.  He has neuroblastoma and only a few weeks to live.  His Christmas wish?  Christmas cards from far and near.  His angelic face belies his pain and fear.  Such a cruel sentence to impose on one so young.

When I saw this story, I went straight downstairs to look through my Christmas paraphernalia to find a card for Maddox.  I cried while writing him a Christmas message of hope.  (I also enclosed a few stickers, because every child likes stickers.)

The words Children and Cancer should never be used in the same sentence, and to see this young man's plight at this season of Advent makes it even more heartbreaking.

If you are feeling the need to do a good deed, please send young Maddox a card. 

His address: 

Maddox Hyde
333 Ohio Street
Reynoldsville, PA 15851
Here is the link to his story.  https://pittsburgh.cbslocal.com/2018/11/28/terminally-ill-teen-wants-christmas-cards-from-around-world/


This small deed will mean so much to this child. 

As always, I welcome your comments and suggestions. 
Rittman Publishing, LLC ®

Please invite Grady Gets Glasses (and me) into your school.  if you are not in the Pittsburgh area, we do virtual field trips with a group called Field Trip Zoom. www.Fieldtripzoom.com  GRADY GETS GLASSES was the winner of Best New Children's Book 2016 and 2018 (new edition) from The Authors' Zone.Grady also won a 2018 prestigious Moonbeam Award for Best Children's Book with Merchandise.

Visit Dede's webpage for complete details on her award-winning book, STUDENT TEACHING: THE INSIDE SCOOP FROM A MASTER TEACHER. Many colleges have made the book required reading. Signed copies are available  www.dederittman.com Dede is also a national speaker on The Three C's for Classroom success: Confidence, communication, and Creativity; Avoiding Teacher burnout; and many other inspirational topics. 

I LOVE writing. And I love writing children's books- my newest passion. Although it will be a ton of work, I am looking forward to selling my books.  Since I was a secondary teacher, I know that I have much to learn about elementary students, and I will have to follow my own advice and be my genuine self.  However, I also know that I am passionate about helping kids who have to wear glasses, and that GRADY GETS GLASSES sends a positive message. I am willing to work hard and do all the things that also made me a successful teacher for 37 years. I remain inspired! 

Elementary teachers in Western Pennsylvania and beyond - I am willing to come into your classroom in person or as a virtual field trip through a group called Field Trip Zoom.  Check them out!  http://www.fieldtripzoom.com/ 

Teacher friends- let me know if you want me to read GRADY GETS GLASSES at your school. I am willing to come in to discuss the creative writing process, why writing is important, and personal fulfillment through writing, along with reading my book.  I would appreciate the exposure, and I would make signed copies available for purchase in your classrooms following the reading.  Please email me at dederittman@gmail.com  The website www.gradygetsglasses.com now has plush Grady bunnies for sale!

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