Project Happy Hearts

Kacey over at Chronicles of a Mommy has started something beautiful! As I mentioned last week it's called Project Happy Hearts, a project designed to make someones heart happy in honor of Tuesday Whitt, a special little girl who passed away from cancer. Kacey explains it quite delicately in her posts on her blog-you really need to go over there-she truly is a beautiful person that has inspired many to make a difference-Thank you Kacey!

As a parent it is unimaginable to think of losing a child. Tuesday's parents have touched me through their faith, understanding and hope during a time when their pain is insurmountable.

When I learned about Project Happy Hearts, my heart wanted to contribute as well! So...after thinking of many things to do...I decided to call my (another giving and kind spirited beautiful person)...my sister in law Beth. She is a Kindergarten teacher at Love Elementary School here in Jamestown. I asked her what her thoughts were about this...and she too immediately wanted to help! We decided since her students were learning about "love" and "amore'" this month in honor of Valentines Day that we could encourage them to do something as well to display and spread the love! So...Beth was on a mission...she quickly announced to the other teachers at Love what she was trying to do...and they too jumped at the chance to make hearts happy today! Each student made Valentines cards to distribute to our local hospital WCA. We had wanted to also deliver them to Buffalo-but due to some schedule changes-we were unable to make it there today. Beth said the students were quite excited that their cards would be going to children and adults alike at the hospital-and that they were able to make someone smile today! More importantly...the message in this for all of the children is the understanding and compassion that comes from learning to love and give selflessly to others in need and for a special cause. I believe it is something that will stick with them forever-and that is a lesson of giving and empathy that will always continue to prevail in those children.

Beth came over this afternoon and picked me up armed with over 60 colored (adorable as can be) Valentines Cards made by the students at Love. We drove to WCA hospital and delivered the cards to the hospital staff in time for them to deliver them to the patients with Dinner tonight. A couple was standing in the waiting room when we arrived armed with roses (obviously there to visit someone)...we told them what we were there to do, and Beth offered them one of the colorful cards to present to their visitor! The elderly woman seemed quite touched that a student from Love made this for our mission today!

Once Beth and I delivered the rest of the cards...we stood in the (now empty) waiting room quiet for a moment. Beth and I gave each other a hug and decided to head home. We both felt good when we chatted about how special dinner would be for these patients tonight. We giggled together and started to leave the hospital...but not before Beth did a little happy dance in the hall on the way out...God love her! It was special to be a part of this-Thank you Beth and Kacey!

Happy Valentines Day. Make sure to squeeze your loved ones today and always-with smooches :-) Happy Heart-ing!