I originally was inspired to purchase the heart to give to a friend of a friend who had just gone through a traumatic experience and was starting on a new life path. I didn't realize when I purchased the heart that my own life path was about to change.

A few days later, my mom became ill and had to be taken to the emergency room. Before she went, she stopped to shave her legs and requested that I pick up an In-N-Out cheeseburger for her. That's my mom!

She got better, and then took a turn for the worse. She was a fighter and wanted to live, but she made me promise that if things got bad, that I would not keep her on life support just to keep her body alive. In the greatest act of love, I had to honor my mom's wishes and let her go in peace on April 4th. Her family surrounded her bed and held hands as Patsy Cline played in the background. In the end, although not easy, it was a very peaceful and loving experience.

I never gave that heart I had bought one month before away to its intended recipient. When I saw it sitting there in it's gift bag, I realized that I had unknowingly bought the heart for myself. It was a symbol of the love I have for my mom and the loving support I received and continue to recieve from all of my friends.

Today, I am passing on the heart to a friend who also has recently experienced loss and who has been a great support to me.