Heart, Heartbreak, Heartache & Love

In honor of Valentine's Day I am thinking about the heart and all it is and all it means in our lives.

The heart is an amazing organ.  In it's physical realm it is necessary for life, it must beat for life to be sustained.  We must take care of our heart, live a healthy life, exercise, eat right, don't smoke....the heart beats on.

What of the emotional heart?  How does the emotional heart tie into the physical heart?  Can we die of "heartbreak"?  Can the heart hurt from emotion?  My answer is yes.....I haven't physically experienced dying of heartbreak but I have had my heart broken.  I have felt the physical pain of heartache.  I've written before that it is a real, tangible feeling.  I cannot explain it but I remember when I first felt it.....my heart physically hurt.  

We can let our departed loved ones live on in our heart, we can be called heartless, we can give our heart to another, both physically and emotionally.  Our heart has the capacity to "run" our body and to love our parents, our significant others, our children, our grandchildren.  Our heart can swell with pride.....were you ever so proud that you thought your heart would burst?  When I speak of my children and grandchildren and their accomplishments I think mine will.  Can we hold love for a departed spouse in our heart and love another new person in our life?  Is it a delicate balance or is there truly room?  I believe there is room, so much more than we imagine.  

I hold love in my heart for so many, Mary Murray McGivern, Gladys Eclar Rescott, John Albert Rescott, John D. McGivern (I never even met my grandfather, but hearing what a wonderful man he was and knowing he is part of me creates love in my heart), Lois Eleanor Rescott (McGivern), Helen Whitaker McGivern, John Joseph McGivern, Stephen Edward Whitmarsh, Barbara Whitmarsh, Edward Whitmarsh.....good, fine people all.  Gone but living on in my heart...our hearts can hold so much love if we allow it.  Allowing love into our heart can lead to heartbreak, this is a fact, but not loving can also lead to heartbreak from loneliness.  Deciding which heartbreak you prefer is a choice.  I prefer to love and experience heartbreak which will lead to having someone remain in my heart forever.

Nurture your heart, physically and emotionally.  Seek love, share kindness...open your heart no matter the potential for hurt.  The heart is strong and can hold a lot of love, a lot of memories, a lot of heartache, a lot of heartbreak.....an amazing organ.

Gram, Grampa McGivern, Nene, Poppy, Mom, Mimi, Dad, Barb, Ed, Steve....you are all forever in my heart, you are all a part of my past and my future, I love you all, always will.

Day 45 of 365.
Open your heart.....K