HEART 1715, Journey 1
Heidi in San Mateo, CA

This heart is being given with love and good wishes to my friend and OB/GYN, Rita. She is beginning a new chapter in her life by moving to New Mexico and continuing her practice there.

Rita will always have a special place in our hearts for having delivered our daughter 4 1/2 years ago. Rita was not officially on call while I was in labor, but voluntarily chose to spend the night at the hospital so she could be there when I was ready to deliver. I will be forever grateful to Rita for helping manifest a successful delivery and for sharing in the joy of the arrival of our beautiful daughter.

I am delighted that our friendship has blossomed beyond our professional relationship. The strong bond formed with Rita from sharing the birth of our daughter will be forever etched in our hearts. It is a treasured experience that will always connect us, whether we’re in the same state or not.

I wish you all the best, Rita, in your new and exciting chapter. I know you will continue to touch the lives of women, mothers, children and families with your warm and caring spirit.

Love,
Heidi

Kaye,
If you ever have the chance to read this post, myself and the entire HIH community send our blessings of love and support the 7, 212 miles and 4 stories it’s traveled to get into your hands.

I am honored that you have shared your heart with us.
Love,
Sahara

HEART NUMBER: 1323, JOURNEY 4
Kaye in Hope Island QLD, Australia

I received this heart on 28th July 2010 at my husband’s funeral from our computer repair man’s wife, who we had come to know quite well. They both helped us through some very difficult times. I carry this heart around in my hand bag as it goes everywhere with me.

My husband went to the doctor in May 2008 with stomach pains and thought he had a virus. It was bowel cancer,which had spread to the liver. Later it spread to his spine and pelvis. We had 26 months together,where i was his carer. It was an absolute pleasure to be with him day and night. He was truly a remarkable person, positive thoughts, never dropped his bundle even after many harrowing tests. He was inspiring to every one he met.

So very sad our dreams of retiring and spending at least another 20 years together is not to be. He was only 55. We shared 36 years together, have 2 children, a girl and a boy, and 5 lovely grandsons. Could not be more proud of you my darling husband. Rest in peace till we meet again. A truly amazing, special person….love you forever, Chris.

Your loving wife Kaye

Mentors. Ahhh……love ‘em.

HEART 1675, STORY 1

Crystal in Los Angeles, CA
August 12, 2010

A little over two years ago my life hit rock bottom. My mom had passed away suddenly at the early age of 40.Not only did I lose my mother but I lost my home, and my job. It was a lot to take in at such a young age. A year after my mother died I went on an interview to be an Executive Assistant to public relations and lifestyle expert. The job turned out to be much more than that. My employer really helped me see the light at the end of the tunnel and helped me see the things that I was missing out on. She helped me dig myself out of the big dark hole that I had conveniently been hiding in for months. Although her intentions were not to help me her morning talks and afternoon chats really stuck in my mind and helped me regain strength in different aspects of my life.

I have now been working for her for about year now and feel like I’m in a much better mindset than I was when I first met her. She and her fiancé have truly showed me the meaning of love and happiness. She has reminded me of how special I truly am and the things that I deserve in life. I can’t thank her enough for that. While I was working for here she gave me this glass heart. I keep it on my beside to always remind me of how much I am loved and to love myself. In the last year my life has improved dramatically and feel full of love everyday. The heart has done its job in my life and now its time to pass on the love. I hope whomever this heart reaches that they too are filled with love and joy.

I had the privilege recently to happen upon an article about a homeless dog saved and trained to detect lives in fallen buildings. Of course I could barely wait for my computer to load the page out of anticipation of what I was sure to feel and read.

My instincts were correct. Every emotion of the heart poured through me as I learned a bit more about Pearl’s journey from the streets to, well, the streets….serving and saving lives.

Story goes that Pearl had been living in an animal shelter and run away several times prior to being adopted to become a search dog. Apparently she was energetic and athletic (not good qualities for someone who wanted a calm pet) but the perfect characteristics needed for a search dog. Go Pearl! Way to use your strengths, girl.

Allyn Lee, a long time elementary classroom volunteer, got wind of the search and rescue dogs heroic efforts after the devastating earthquake struck Haiti. Allyn shared news to the students about the canine search and rescue teams working to locate and save survivors. Additional research led her to the Search Dog Foundation and the canine teams that make up California Task Force 2. “The story of these amazing dogs needed to be told”, states Allyn. And so it was.

Allyn wrote the story of Pearl and Rancho Romero Elementary 2nd grade students in Alamo, CA illustrated it.

You MUST check out the YouTube video outlining the book, complete with “Best Friend” by Queen mixed in the background. Fitting as Pearl and the other dogs have definitely become our best friend.

The class made 3,000 copies of the book, of which 1,500 were purchased by the Search Dog Foundation. The goal is to sell the remaining books to raise $10,000 for the foundation — The cost of training 1 dog.

To get a copy of “A New Job for Pearl,” which sells for a $10 donation, you can visit the website A New Job For Pearl or simply call Allyn Lee at 925-588-8180 (which is what I did). Yes, there are still people who not only answer their phone, but are happy you called. We had a delightful conversation and it made the experience of purchasing a copy for my young niece even that much more enjoyable.

Thank you Allyn…and thank you Rancho Romero students! We love what you are doing. Hats off to you, Search Dog Foundation. And Pearl….well….I would say “hats off” to you, but I think “bandanas off” is more appropriate in this case.

Powerful story not to be missed! And the support travels on….

HEART NUMBER: 459
STORY 3
CRYSTAL in Chandler, AZ, USA

I’ve been battling with abnormal bleeding for over a year now. The doctors have done several procedures on me and it was my most recent one (removing my cervix) that they discovered cervical cancer. I had enough with my old doctor because it took them over a year to discover cancer in me. So I went on my own to a new doctor at the Mayo Clinic.

I met with him and we had a hysterectomy surgery scheduled and that should have been it for my treatment. While he was doing the hysterectomy he saw my old doctor screwed up, and cut to deep in my cervix which allowed the cancer to spread into my pelvis. Now my treatment plan has changed thanks to this doctor!

I am moving forward and accepting whatever I have to do to get rid of this cancer I will do. My treatment starts this week. 5 weeks of radiation with a light dose of chemotherapy. Then the hysterectomy. Finally a heavier dose of chemotherapy after my surgery. My doctor only saw some cancer cells in my pelvis and the PET scan didn’t show a mass amount. So with this treatment plan it should eliminate the cancer.

Today I received a heart from my cousin. I learned she had a similar story as mine

I will keep this heart as she did, to stay strong. Then when I fight off this cancer I will share my success story and give this heart to someone else, so they can do the same thing!

Thanks Robin!!!

When teachers make a difference like this, our hearts open.
Thank you Teri and Drew for sharing your journey.

HEART 1709
JOURNEY 1
Teri in Thousand Oaks, CA, USA

Dear Ms. Lori,
Last summer I brought Drew to the Open Classroom Campus where he walked around trying to assess whether to stay in his traditional program which was forcing him into a box where he didn’t belong, or to agree to make a change. Neither one of us likes change but we visited and later that day Drew said, “My heart tells me that the Open Classroom is the right place for me.”

When I received my first email from you I knew things were already different. You exuded kindness and gentleness and yet I could feel the firm boundaries that you have in place. We were still scared.

It’s been a full school year and I still marvel a the grace with which you guide so many independent and free thinking souls. You helped us identify several areas that were holding Drew back and helped us come up with plans for moving forward. I am most amazed at how Drew has come out of his shell, learned to resolve issues and stretch into challenges.

I cannot thank you enough for giving my son another chance to: thrive, feel successful, be himself, find his joy, and see what he is capable of.

Thank you for pushing him while loving him. Thank you for helping him navigate tricky waters without judging him. Thank you for giving him opportunities to shine.

Thank you for sharing your gifts and your bright light with our children. You are making a difference that will forever change how they see and interact with the world!

We love and adore you!

Everyone has an assistant in life. Whether a co-worker, partner, friend or pet, our right-hand person is devotedly there to help us succeed. Caren, thank you for reminding us to thank them…..from the heart.

HEART NUMBER: 1706
STORY 1
Caren in Los Angeles, CA 90025, USA

This heart was given to my assistant Joe on his 50th birthday. I want him to know how impressed I am with everything he does to contribute to my life and the lives of our special educations students. I have never written him a letter of recommendation in the 11-12 years we have worked together because he would move on to a better, kinder school atmosphere.

The students and I value his willingness to go the extra mile for us, often staying late and arriving early. As my assistant, he even keeps me on task with lesson planning so our kids get the best benefit. He has gone the extra mile for kids who cannot afford lunch, uniforms, paper and life in general. We work with students from abusive or neglectful homes and Joe steps up to play the father figure. His hard work and commitment to these kids helps them take the lead in their lives. He has spent hundreds of his own money to make sure students are safe, warm and fed.

His influence on students is wide reaching as the first of our students come back as adults to thank him for helping them make a smoother transition to adulthood. He has this heart for enriching our educational environment. He is truly a man coming from the heart.

I can’t wait to see where his heart travels from here.