Reflections of a Peacemaker: A Portrait Through Heartsongs

by Mattie J.T. Stepanek, Oprah Winfrey (Foreword), Jennifer Smith Stepanek (Editor)

I write about anything that touches the essence of my existence. What I witness, what I feel, what I think, what I fear, what I treasure. I write about life, which is our greatest gift." —Mattie Stepanek, 1990-2004

Mattie J. T. Stepanek lived and died a child, but he had the spirit of a giant. Affected by a rare and fatal neuromuscular disease, Mattie lived almost fourteen years but in that time became a poet, best-selling author, peace activist, and a prominent voice for the Muscular Dystrophy Association. Before his death in June 2004, his five volumes of Heartsongs poetry sold more than a million copies.

Reflections of a A Portrait Through Heartsongs is the final collection of Heartsongs that Mattie was working on when he died. It includes the last poem Mattie penned along with a special collection of unpublished poetry, photographs, and artwork spanning the decade from when he began writing Heartsongs at age three.

Culled from the thousands of poems, essays, and journal entries Mattie left behind, the entries in Reflections of a Peacemaker create a portrait of Mattie in his own words. In these poems he explores disability, despair, and death but also the gifts he finds in nature, prayer, peace, and his belief in something "bigger and better than the here and now." The poems are grouped by theme such as playful, stormy, sacred, and final Heartsongs, with each section introduced by a personal tribute from the likes of Maya Angelou, Oprah Winfrey, Larry King, and former President Jimmy Carter.

In the words of Mattie's mother, Jeni Stepanek, who has published Reflections of a Peacemaker at her son's request, "In reading these poems we enter Mattie's world and gain insight through a child who somehow balanced pain and fear with optimism and faith."

Genres: Poetry, Nonfiction

240 pages, Hardcover

First published August 1, 2005

About the author

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. He became a peace advocate and motivational speaker, and lobbied on Capitol Hill on behalf of peace, people with disabilities, and children with life-threatening conditions.

Stepanek suffered from a rare form of muscular dystrophy, dysautonomic mitochondrial myopathy, that resulted in his death a month before his 14th birthday. His sister and two brothers also died from the disease during early childhood, and his mother, Jeni Stepanek, has the adult form, diagnosed only after all four of her children were born.

Reviews

[Lorna Collins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mattie continued to move people right until his death. he was one of the most inspiring people. His illness kept him in constant pain, yet he was never without a smile. His poetry was a reflection of that attitude.

I've read all his books and I still am awed at the depth of them.

[akacya ❦]

2024 reads: 206/250

mattie j.t. stepanek was not even fourteen years old when he died from dysautonomic mitochondrial myopathy. this collection contains poetry he wrote, but never published, throughout his lifetime. i had never heard of mattie or his story prior to finding this book in a little free library, but i’m glad i picked it up! i loved his poetry and his love for Jesus.

[Lori · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book when it first came out 20 years ago. I wanted to start off the New Year reading this book which is a real treasure. Mattie Stepanek was a boy who had MDA he was first introduced to the world through the Jerry Lewis MDA telethon. what a fantastic young boy he was. way beyond his years in his writing. He loved to write poems and essays from the time he was three years old. He was a very talented writer who wrote beautiful poems. I had to remind myself how young he was when he started writing his poems that looked way beyond his years. wow! He wrote this poem when he was only three years old? what an amazing talented young man he was. He wrote right up to his death three weeks shy of 14 years old. I will always be a fan of this inspirational child whose observations of the world shined through his thoughts written down in this book. It was a huge loss when this wonderful boy lost his life to one of the Muscular Dystrophies. Highly recommend this wonderful book of poems.

[Raymond · Rating 4 out of 5]

Every time I look into this book I seem to find something to ponder:
"…The rules of war have changed
We've moved
From battlefield to backyards
From arrows to anthrax
From ninja to nuclear weapons
From swords to seron gas
We used to
Fight for a just cause
Now we
Fight, just because…"
How old was Mattie J.T. Stepanek? He died when he was 12? What an extraordinary, marvelous person/poet. We must ever rue there will be no more, "Reflections of a Peacemaker."

[Paxton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mattie J.T. Stepanek is an amazing poet and peacemaker. His poetry has inspired many people, including me. Mattie's poetry speaks deeply about challenges and hard times, but is also playful and happy.

[Lecy Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

When Oprah both speaks at your funeral and writes the foreword for your book, you know you've done something right, especially if you're just thirteen years old. Mattie Stepanek had a heart of gold. He was the youngest and last of four siblings to die from a rare disease called dysautonomic mitochondrial myopathy, but he spent those thirteen years speaking, writing poetry, and encouraging others to be kind and love their people well. He was wise beyond his years. This book is a collection of some of the poetry he wrote over his lifetime, beginning at a very young age, right up to his last days. Even the simple prose he wrote at four or five will make you wonder how a child can have ideas so big and thoughts so deep. I own a hardcover copy of this book and pull it out every time I need a little reminder of what's really important in this life.

[Simona Rad · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stuff of Gods

Thinking of Mattie's story and his mom the expression "stuff of Gods" came to my head. I believe their story is infused with the divine.
It's heartbreaking. Yet it is incredibly beautiful.
Mattie's Heartsongs are watering the ground of my soul and I receive much needed nutrients.
Jamie was his angel.
He is mine.

100% recommend 💚

[Cindi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wise beyond his years, yet still such a fun and playful child. I have read some of his Heartsongs series and have always enjoyed his poetry so when I discovered this collection I sat down and consumed it in two days. Worth every second.

[James Doherty · Rating 5 out of 5]

There’s nothing more magical than the mind of a child. I had the pleasure of meeting Mattie and he was such an inspiration to me as a child. His amazing soul lives on through his work.

[Katy Lovejoy · Rating 3 out of 5]

the heartbreaking thing made the poetry easier to digest

[Andrew Greer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mattie lived out the definition of "a little child shall lead them."

[Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

A touching story filled with incredible heartfelt poems.
Poetry that makes your heartache and wonder the meaning of "life."

" Enter the Season
The season is upon us now,
Let us enter, here is how...
Come in joy to celebrate.
Come in hope for future's sake.
Come in gently, open-hearted.
Come for unborn, and departed.
Come in happiness and mirth.
Come with faith that serves the earth.
Come in kindness, come forgiving.
Come to share the gift of living.
Come in patient, calm, assuring.
Come with grace and trust enduring.
But most of all, let's come in peace,
The dark angry hurt, release.
The season 'tis upon us now.
As we enter, let us vow...
For young and old in every land,
Let us come joined hand-in-hand. " - December 10, 2000

[Teri · Rating 4 out of 5]

Collection of poems written by a boy who suffered with a rare disorder called dysautonomic mitochondrial myopathy. He died at thirteen. A very touching book that portrays his hopes, fears, and faith.

[Tonia Christle · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book, and felt it gave a really full picture of Mattie as a poet. There are several favorite poems of his, but especially Purple Moon. I was also struck by Steps of Heaven as well. A great portrait of a young poet and what mattered to him.

[Gina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cried a lot

[Kelly · Rating 3 out of 5]

Inspirational. Mattie was an advanced soul from whom we can all learn.

[Margo · Rating 3 out of 5]

A family that had four children die from the exact same genetic disease amazes me. The book made my heart ache for the children.

[Jenny Wiesenmayer thines]

Wonderful Book!