Mattie Stepanek

1) Who was Mattie Stepanek?

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.

2)Why do you think he was famous?

I think he was famous because at the age of three, Stepanek started to write poetry to cope with the death of his older brother. His first five books are Heartsongs, Journey Through Heartsongs, Hope Through Heartsongs, Celebrate Through Heartsongs and Loving Through Heartsongs. All five works made the New York Times bestsellers list

In 2002, Stepanek began a three-term appointment as the Muscular Dystrophy Association National Goodwill Ambassador, due to his national high profile because of his poetry and related appearances on The Oprah Winfrey Show, Larry King Live, and Good Morning America. In 2003, Billy Gilman - singer and friend of Mattie's - released an album called Music Through Heartsongs: Songs Based on the Poems of Mattie J.T. Stepanek. The album reached number 15 on the U.S. Top Country chart and number 109 on the US Billboard 200.

3)What is posthumously?

Posthumously means after dead. His book published after his death.

4)What does Jimmy Cater mean when his say “We have known kings and queens, and we've known presidents and prime ministers, but the most extraordinary person whom I have ever known in my life is Mattie Stepanek. His life philosophy was 'Remember to play after every storm!' and his motto was: 'Think Gently, Speak Gently, Live Gently'. He wanted to be remembered as "a poet, a peacemaker, and a philosopher who played". Explain.

President Cater means that Mattie Stepanek was very inspiring a lot of people. Mattie  means we must feel happy after a big problem come to us and we must try our best to solve the problem. For his motto, think gently means we must think positive about life. Speak gently means we must speak politely to other person. Live gently means we must live in happiness.