The idea of the heartfelt project is to think of a moment in your life, that, for whatever reason, was particularly powerful and ‘heart felt’. For some, it is a moment from years ago, in childhood, when something happened that they have never been able to forget; for others, it is just a sudden thought that hits from seemingly nowhere, and perhaps makes them think differently for the rest of their life. Here are some of the anecdotal heartfelts we have received.
“I was thinking about how people unwittingly share in and intertwine in others’ lives. How we are often, almost unconsciously, touched by others and how that shapes us in becoming human. The moments can be as transitory as a smile from a stranger, or it could be a lasting refrain that speaks to us in friendship and love. However it comes, it is priceless.”
“I love it when I get something from the treat box.”
“This is for all the boys at the Duke of York School in Nairobi in 1956, who named me ‘Belle of the Ball’ at the annual inter-school 6th form dance. Who would have thought this astonishing event could have launched a painfully shy, plain girl on her first shaky step towards a degree of self-confidence. Perhaps the home-made dress and carefully pin-curled hair had something to do with it! Thanks boys.”
One of the major themes of the hearts we have received so far has been childbirth, with many of the hearts focussing on the overwhelming love and joy at seeing their child for the first time.
The Jessie May Trust
“This heart symbolises the life-changing breath-holding pulse-racing heart-pumping first breath moment of my granddaughter Pella. There are 3 hearts here; mine, my daughter Millie’s and Pella’s- a bit like russian dolls. Late in labour, exhausted, I lay beside Millie reassuring her with one of our prepared affirmations…’you’re very safe…trust your body…you know what to do…return to the breath.’ And so it was that Millie breathed her baby out like a yogic ‘master’ without drugs or medical intervention. There were 3 other hearts in the room- Sam (Pella’s dad) and Sally and Jo- two midwives. Pella was born naturally in water at home in candle-light to soft ambient music. She swam through the water to greet her parents looking for one moment as old and as wise as the universe. Something happened- she didn’t breathe. Sally gestured for Millie to leave the pool and in one quick fluid movement lay Pella gently on the resuscitation mat with her cord still attached. Inhaled deeply and held my breath. Five adults intimately attuned to one baby…all holding our breath. Sally blew softly into Pella’s face and said ‘Can everyone please start breathing again.’ We all breathed out and then breathed in and this time Pella joined us.”
