Hearts Hanging by a String

There was once, then twice, then three times, daughters who didn't want to leave the comfort and security they felt at their mothers' side. The third was a little girl who felt sad because her family had moved after the deaths of her grandparents and she had to go to a brand new school where she didn't know anyone. "I want to stay home with you mommy!"

The mother comforted her daughter, "I remember a day when I felt that very same way. My mommy brought out an old handkerchief covered in bright red hearts." The mother then opened her hand and smoothed out a piece of cloth so that her daughter could see the bright red shapes. Then she continued, "My grandmother gave this handkerchief to my mother and my mother gave it to me. And now I will give it to you."

Mother's loving hands folded the handkerchief back into a smaller square. Then the handkerchief of hearts was tucked into the little girl's pocket. "Any time you feel scared or sad at school, you can put your hand into your pocket and know that my heart is touching your heart and you are touching my heart, too."

During her first morning in the new kindergarten class, the little girl put her hand into her pocket many times. As the day moved on, going from one activity to another and eventually chatting and laughing with other kids in class, she did it less often. By the end of the school day when she ran to her mother at the classroom door, she couldn't wait to tell her about her new friends and teacher and how much fun she had that first day. This is a true story.

When I read the book "The Invisible String" by Patricia Karst, I suddenly remembered the heart handkerchief and how I treasured the love within it. The mother in Karst's story tells her children that no matter where they go, they stay connected with those they love. People who are loved are connected by an invisible string and no matter what challenges are faced, emotions felt, failures or victories experienced, they are not alone. Those that we love remain connected always to our hearts.

From the comments section for this book, the story highlighted by the sweet illustrations of Joanne Lew-Vrielhoff, this is a perfect gift for a young family on Valentine's Day. It can also be given in times of grief as well as times of celebration, to any age, when people want to feel and remember the intimate connections love creates.

On Valentine's Day, it is good to remember that we are loved by family, friends and community. And even if some people find themselves alone, heart strings still connect with memories entwined and embedded so deeply they can never truly be gone.

One may not go out on Valentine's Day to a romantic dinner, receive or give a heart-shaped box of chocolates or a bouquet of red roses. Or exchange valentines in a classroom full of excited 8 year olds. But we have strings that through the years have connected hearts to hearts, time and again, from person to person. And they are sweet to remember even when romances may have cooled, old loves have moved on, children are away living lives of their own, grandchildren separated by miles or states, or parents, siblings and best friends passed. Favorite people move in and out of our lives. But those strings!! They remain.

Perhaps they get tangled from time to time and need a little care to set them straight. And being invisible may be hard for some people to believe in. But in 2025, holding on to invisible strings seems a lot easier than finding a handkerchief! Unless, of course, you have one handed down to you by someone who loved you very, very much!

Good Books.

Good reading.

*Midge Lyn'dee is a fictional character used for the purpose of entertainment though the reviews are real and sincere.