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. 


2. Why do you think he is famous？


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.
Besides that, on Stepanek's funeral, nearly 1,350 people attended, including Oprah Winfrey and country singer Billy Gilman. A eulogy was also delivered by former Presiden Jimmy Carter to him.


3. What is posthumously?


Porthumously means happening after someone's death, or given to someone or printed after their death.


4. Explain what does president Jimmy Carter means when he said 
"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".


We all known the famous people in this world, like president and prime ministers, but for the Presiden Jimmy Carter,person whom he have ever known is Mattie Stepanek. He mentioned that we must overcome all bad things.So, we must think gently,speak gently and live gently as a poet,a peacemaker and a pehilosopher.