The beauty of this project is that people have the freedom to make their hearts in any shape, style or size they choose. And for some people at least, this has unleashed a creative talent some of us could only dream of!
“My best friend had a heart of gold, but it was a very weak heart.
The home of her spirit had become an internal physical prison.
After a long battle, her physical heart finally broke, and although
At that moment I felt the pain of my own heart break,
I also felt relief knowing her spirit was free at last.
As I left the hospital car park, I knew she was leaving too.
Looking over the rooftop, across a bright blue sky, my heart ached farewell.”
Infants & Juniors, as well as some parents from Perry Court School, in Bristol, have excelled themselves, making some incredible hearts during their workshop a few weeks ago. A huge amount of care and attention has been taken over them, and we would like to say an enormous WELL DONE! to everyone who took part in the heart-making.
“My Friend Emily.
I loved playing Hide & Seek with my friend Emily.”
“The moment that I realised mums don’t have to be perfect, and that with enough love, everything would be ok.
I looked at my daughter and she stared back at me, her eyes bright with tears and her pink lips trembling with rage at not getting what she wanted.
I realised how hard life is when you are small with no control over what happens.
And I told her how much I loved her, and she smiled, her tears and grief forgotten. The fact that I loved her- that was enough. I love you, S.”
Not all of the hearts we receive make enjoyable reading- some of the stories told are tragic accounts of bereavement and the struggle to carry on after the loss of someone close. However, the whole point of the project was to allow people to share their most personal stories, however difficult, so rather than despair at the amount of pain and suffering individuals have to cope with, it is comforting to think that, for the authors, just writing down the story to share with others might have been a process of cathartic healing.
“Michael 1956
I look with bewilderment into the face of my first child. Those beautiful wide open brown eyes, the shape of his eyebrows and the pink rosebud of his lips. I lay the tip of my little finger on his delicate little hand and indulgently hold and love his little feet. My heart swells with pride and love.
Mike 2000
I look with bewilderment into the face of my first child. Those lovely eyes framed with the familiar eyebrows, are closed. Below the right eye is a faded scar- memories of a childhood accident. The lips are struggling for breath. I kneel at the foot of the bed and massage body lotion into the tired and stressed feet, in a vain attempt to calm Mike and myself. Moving to look once more into this beautiful face of my son, I hold his hand as the final breath leaves his body. My heart is broken.”
“On the 10th of August 1966 my mother died of breast cancer. No one hugged me. No one talked to me. No one said ‘It’s not your fault,’ no one said ‘She loved you.’
They put her in the cold earth. My mother. I was 10 years and 8 months old. She never talked to me when she was ill. I felt stupid and traumatised. I spent 43 years trying to heal. Forgiveness brings healing. How do I forgive when the desolation and torture is still inside me? I believe in love and joy. One day I will be free.”
Not all of the people who have made hearts have chosen to bare their souls and reveal their personal stories; some prefer to create hearts which everyone can connect with, expressing favourite mantras or sayings.
“Everyone is familiar with a string heart. Just tug at this heartstring and remember past experiences.”
Some of the most uplifting stories people have shared through this project have been tales of accomplishment despite the odds stacked against them, or of people working incredibly hard to fulfill a dream, and the wonderful feeling when that finally happens for them.
“After being divorced and my son choosing to live with his father I gained some self respect and self worth by becoming a part-time mature student.
I took and completed an MA in education at UWE in 2001. My gown had scarlet edging and a scarlet hood.”
“My Mazda MX5. A lot of hard work and it was well worth it, I get a great feeling everytime I drive it.”
