Have an “Open Heart” on Mother’s Day

by Jane Seymour
May 9, 2010

Today is Mother’s Day ! It’s important to show our appreciation to those special women in our lives who have shaped who we are today and loved us no matter what. What are you doing to celebrate this year?

I started Keep Open Heart Web site because of my mother’s Open Heart philosophy. Throughout my life I have heard amazing stories from people who live their lives with an Open Heart and my hope is that through this site we will be able to collect and share so many more.

Here are some examples that I hope will inspire you and your family on this Special Day.

 

In January of 2006 my Mother got really sick from diverticulitis, I was afraid I was going to lose Her. At the time I was only a junior in High School.  

I had already lost my dad when I was 8 years old. My mom and I have always been very close we can tell Each other anything. She is my best friend!

I have been epileptic since I was 11 years old and I was scared that she wasn’t going to be there for me. I didn’t realize at the time that she already thought about that.

As my mom and best friend she made plans to be sure that if anything happened. I would be taking care of.

 It’s been 4 years and I am so grateful that God has allowed me to still have her in my life.  

Today I am only able to get her a card and take her out to dinner for Mothers Day.

As a mom she has always told me that all I had to do was say that I loved her. She didn’t need cards or gifts.

Her birthday is next month and I still have not figured out what to get her. No matter what I get her she will always be grateful for the thought.

I Love my Mom and someday I hope that if I became a mom I can be like her.

Kimberly
Hollywood, FL

 

 

I honor my mother.. I was so blessed to have her as a mother, teacher,freind,helpmate,leader in our community,helpful to the needy, baby sitter for my children, and most of all, she taught me the love of our heavely father.thanks you mother, you have been gone from this life for 12 yesars and I Thank God for every remembrance of you…..

Mary Fern Farley

 

 

Living with an Open Heart has helped me through the years- To overcome adversity, hardships, anxiety, fears and tears. I didn’t have great parenting to lead me on the path of life- But through sacrifice and blessings, I overcame great strife!

Rather than harbor resentment and dwell in self pity- I’ve put my time and talents into improving my city.

Through coaching and fundraising and donating my time- I’ve found that I can help others, out of the darkness climb. Whether for the Special Olympics or the Relay for Life- I’m now involved with all my kids and yes too, my wife.

Teaching kids new skills and rules, I’ve seen it change their lives- All my time and effort are rewarded when a hug arrives. It doesn’t take great brains or skill, of this I am quite sure- But the sacrifice pays dividends that over time endures.

There is one requisite ingredient that helping does require- Having and keeping an Open Heart- love and peace is the desire.

Through humble and strained beginnings, I’ve learned that an Open Heart- Brings love and hope and opportunity- for the giver and receiver a new start! We can all afford an Open Heart and the treasures it does bring- Yes it takes some vulnerability, but oh how it makes hearts sing!

 James,
Chicago, IL

 

 

My mom passed away October 12, 2009 after a long battle of illnesses. Although we knew it was coming it did not make it any easier.

After her death I found comfort in giving back to others like my mom always did during her life. She loved to quilt and had many finished and unfinished projects.

After us each family member received a quilt I decided to call some of my moms friends to come and select one for them.

They were all moved by being able to have a part of my mom’s legacy. We also had an estate sale and donated all the proceeds to 3 different children’s hospitals in her memory. This was another rewarding experience for me.

So for Christmas I purchased 4 Open Heart pendants so that I, my daughter, my daughter-in-law and my son’s girlfriend would each have one to wear to spread the word of living with an open heart. Thanks for inspiring me to carry on the same tradition you and your Mother inspired.

 Pamela,
Hammond, LA

 

 

The summer before I started my first year of college is when my Mom and I started getting really close. Perfect timing right? We get close and I have to move away.

We decided to get matching Open Heart rings to keep each other close while I’m away. Anytime I am having a bad day, needing some encouragement, or just needing to know someone is there, I can always call my Mom to talk.

The Open Heart ring makes it that much easier to remember she is always there for me. It’s almost like she isn’t just my mom anymore, she is my best friend. Leaving for college was extremely hard, but having the Open Heart ring on my finger made a little bit easier because it reminded me that I wasn’t alone.

Samantha,
Oklahoma City, OK

 

 

I have four wonderful daughters, three that were born to me, and one step-daughter. She lost her mom, at the age of three, from cancer. Growing up my daughters and our family faced much heartbreak.

My husband became disabled at the age of 33 from a work injury. He has had 18 surgeries. My sister died a tragic death and then her youngest son died in the Iraq War. At times, I felt like giving up.

Then I would look at my daughters, they loved me and depended on me to be strong. When you open your heart, love heals the hurt. As children they learned from my examples.

I did not want them to give up and close their hearts. So, now my daughters are young women, graduated from college, living on their own. They struggle because of our current economy.

I wish I could do more for them. It saddens me that I cannot shelter them from the worries of the world. Yet, I know that I have shown them by opening their hearts, love does find its way.

Debra,
Princeton, WI

 

 

MY OPEN HEART LESSON BEGAN WITH THE BIRTH OF MY SON 23YRS AGO, HE WAS BORN WITH HEART PROBLEMS, BECAUSE OF THE LACK OR OXYGEN, HE AS LEARNING DISABLITIES. LEARNING TO OPEN MY HEART AND GIVE AND GIVE HAS BEEN A LIFE EXPERIENCE.

I HAD ONE CHILD BEFORE HIM, SHE WAS FINE. BEING A MOTHER OF A DISABLIED SON IS REWARDING, I HOPE MY STORY WILL BRIGHTEN OTHER MOTHERS OF DISABLITED CHILDREN. NEVER GIVE UP, OPEN YOUR HEART IT WILL WORK OUT, THEY WILL BECOME YOUR BEST FRIEND YOUR LOVE OF YOUR LIFE.

JACKIE,
MYRTLE CREEK, OR

 

 

It was Christmas Eve of 2005 when I got a call from my grandmother in Oklahoma to tell me that my dad had had a heart attack and that he was being rushed to the hospital via ambulance.

My heart felt like it was being ripped right out of my chest! I was waiting by the phone for any news. The next call I received was from my mother calling me from my dad’s bedside about an hour later to tell me that they were going to have to take him into surgery immediately, because they did not know if he was going to make it.

The next thing I hear is my mom saying “He flat lined they are trying to bring him back”. I fell to my knees and began immediately praying, “Please Lord don’t take him from me, but if you do need him, please just let me get there to tell him goodbye”. My husband and I drove 12 hours and we were continuing to get updates along the way. My dad made it through the surgery and he is still here with me today. I kept my heart open and God blessed me abundantly. Paula West Jordan, UT

– Paula,
West Jordan, UT

 

 

 

Source: Keep an Open Heart

 

Editor’s Note: There is a lot more to read. Just visit Keep an Open Heart and you can tell your story and read others.

You can contact Mrs. Jane Seymour at keepanopenheart.com.

We would like to know what you think. dan@goldcoastchronicle.com