Valentine's Day...a day for sweethearts.
A day some remember St. Valentine, for whom the day is named.
For some it's a lovely, much-anticipated day filled with loving thoughts from the special people in their life. For others, it's absolutely dreaded, pull-the-covers-over-your-head-and-don't-want-to-get-out-of-bed day, because they have a wounded heart.
For me, it's a day that reminds me of broken hearts. Not "love sick" broken hearts, but the broken hearts of children and adults who were born with congenital heart defects.
I realize that Valentine's Day doesn't mean the same thing to every person. I don't mean to trivialize other's feelings regarding whether they love or hate this day. So what is my point exactly?
I want to make people stop and think about the 1.8 million people who are living with congenital heart defects in the United States. These people have unique hearts. You might never know that the man you are standing next to in line at the grocery store is listed for a heart transplant, has a pacemaker and an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD). You might never know that the child laughing and playing at the playground with your child has had 3 open heart surgeries.
Why? Because they look just like you and me...except for the scars they bear from procedures and surgeries they've had to repair their broken hearts. Because their scars are hidden beneath their clothes, their battle with congenital heart disease is not readily noticed.
Broken hearts??? Technically.
Unique hearts??? Definitely!
I prefer to say "Mended" hearts.
As you celebrate--or don't celebrate--Valentine's Day, take a moment to think about the many people living in the United States with congenital heart disease. Think about how you can help make a difference in a family's life. Check out our website here for events and links on how to donate.
A day some remember St. Valentine, for whom the day is named.
For some it's a lovely, much-anticipated day filled with loving thoughts from the special people in their life. For others, it's absolutely dreaded, pull-the-covers-over-your-head-and-don't-want-to-get-out-of-bed day, because they have a wounded heart.
For me, it's a day that reminds me of broken hearts. Not "love sick" broken hearts, but the broken hearts of children and adults who were born with congenital heart defects.
I realize that Valentine's Day doesn't mean the same thing to every person. I don't mean to trivialize other's feelings regarding whether they love or hate this day. So what is my point exactly?
I want to make people stop and think about the 1.8 million people who are living with congenital heart defects in the United States. These people have unique hearts. You might never know that the man you are standing next to in line at the grocery store is listed for a heart transplant, has a pacemaker and an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD). You might never know that the child laughing and playing at the playground with your child has had 3 open heart surgeries.
Why? Because they look just like you and me...except for the scars they bear from procedures and surgeries they've had to repair their broken hearts. Because their scars are hidden beneath their clothes, their battle with congenital heart disease is not readily noticed.
Broken hearts??? Technically.
Unique hearts??? Definitely!
I prefer to say "Mended" hearts.
As you celebrate--or don't celebrate--Valentine's Day, take a moment to think about the many people living in the United States with congenital heart disease. Think about how you can help make a difference in a family's life. Check out our website here for events and links on how to donate.
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| Some of our MLH Heart Heroes helping out with the American Heart Association's 2012 Heart Ball. |
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