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Mattie has three wishes in his life. "One, to have my book published so I can spread my message of peace through the world. Two, to talk peace with my hero, Jimmy Carter," Mattie says. "And [three], to meet with Oprah Winfrey."

Mattie got his first wish when two books of his poetry, Heartsongs and Journey Through Heartsongs, where published earlier this year. His second wish came true when he had a phone conversation with President Carter. "I was so excited," Mattie says. "I couldn't believe it."

A recent health scare left Mattie close to death, but today, his third wish is coming true!

Mattie says some adults tried to get him to give up his three wishes in favor of other dreams, but he stayed true. "Going to Disney World ends in a week; having a shopping spree ends in a day," he says. "But being able to talk to Jimmy Carter, being able to have my book published, being able to talk to you today, lasts forever," Mattie tells Oprah.

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