cinnamonhearts




	Write 2 The Heart February 15, 2005 Welcome to your latest issue of Write 2 the Heart. Take a moment to browse our new bookstore at: http://www.write2theheart.com/html/book_store.html You will find wonderful books written, or include stories by many of our talented writers. You will also find books that aide the budding writer. I highly recommend “Sally Stuart’s Christian Writers’ Guide,” and “2005 Writer’s Market.” Both are must haves for all serious writers. They are great tools to find that perfect market for your writing. Bonnie said she wrote this story with tears and fears. Last year, Valentines' Day was a heartbreaker, full of stress and grief. We can all rejoice with her that this year is so much better! Cinnamon Hearts and Rocky Mountains By Bonnie Jarvis-Lowe Sunbeams poured in through the long row of windows that made up the front wall of the big room, warming the room and giving it a cheery atmosphere. People lay in huge comfortable reclining chairs, and the voices that could be heard were soft and muted. I sat and soaked up the glorious vista before me while enjoying the taste of a tiny cinnamon candy and listening to the soft sounds that were interrupted by an occasional beep, In the distance were the stately Rocky Mountains. They, like the windows, stretched from one end of the room to the other, appearing deceptively close. Some mountain peaks rose high into the clouds, other shorter peaks seemed to hug the taller, stately ones. Morning mist lingered over the larger peaks slowly withdrawing in the morning sun. The fine mist was lifting from the mountaintops like the delicate veil of a bride being lifted to show a radiance that left the viewer in awe. Then a quiet voice brought me back to the reality of where I was, and why. "Mom, can you please adjust the blinds? The sun is shining in my eyes.” It was the voice of a young woman, my daughter, a voice that is so precious to me. Turning towards her I noticed the sunlight had moved and was directly in her face. Of course I would adjust the blinds. As I rose to do so the reality of our situation pierced my whole being. The room was a treatment room in a large Calgary hospital. The large blue chairs each held someone receiving intravenous therapy. The therapies were for various reasons, necessary therapy to enable these people to regain their health and move on with their lives. A young man studying the lines of a play in which he had a role, was receiving a much-needed anti-rejection drug. A grandfather receiving blood transfusions had a photo of his grandson taped to the pole. And here was my daughter receiving chemotherapy for the malignancy that had invaded her young body. Her purse held an Angel given to her by my sister to take with her to her treatments and various appointments. The Intravenous flow control pumps, so familiar to me from my years of nursing, hummed, beeped, and blinked their miniature lights like futuristic decorative trees. My daughter was settled in a chair at the end of the long line of chairs. She was surrounded by her much loved books, yet she was constantly observing her fellow patients, chatting with her nurses, and occasionally reaching for her candy dish filled with tiny red cinnamon hearts. Fellow patients, and a kind mother of a son who had undergone chemotherapy, had told her that the cinnamon taste would disguise the chemical taste caused by chemotherapy. So many, if not all, of those ailing people and their worried family members, are willing to share tips and stories to help each other. I had seen it often as a nurse and had admired it so much. Now I was experiencing the reverse situation, I was the family member who appreciated those little tips, and my daughter was the chemotherapy patient. We both try to help and share anything we find helpful, anything that just might ease the hurt for somebody else as well. When I adjust the blinds my eyes are drawn to the small shiny candy dish on my daughters little table connected to the chair. A tiny dazzling sunbeam has found its way to the cinnamon heart candy dish, and glistens and sparkles off the shiny rim. The suns warmth causes the tiny red candy to provide the sweet smell of the cinnamon. My heart remembers it is a smell of special occasions, mulled apple cider at Christmas time stirred with a cinnamon stick, warm cinnamon rolls that my daughter enjoyed after skiing all day, and the smell of her favorite loaf that I used to make. I decide to do so again soon. Yet the little space in the corner of the large room, for me, is filled with heartache and fear and tears that I will not let her see. Never once have I heard her ask "Why me?” Never have I seen her be anything but pleasant to those she meets in this room or elsewhere in the hospital. She shares her cinnamon hearts, telling her fellow patients that 'Mom got lucky, they're all on sale after Valentines' Day', which makes those around her smile. I cannot help but admire this young woman's' courage. She is the young wife whose wedding pictures show such a healthy, athletic, beautiful bride, she is the mother of a smart, equally beautiful three-year-old child, and she is my daughter who spreads words of encouragement to all she meets. I cannot help but be impressed at how patiently she sits for five hours while her life- saving medications are administered. Peeking through the blinds a little later I see that the mist has disappeared from the peaks of the Rockies. Now the mountain view reminds me of the line in an old song that used to be sung by Girl Guides, the line that says 'The Big Rock Candy Mountains'. Yes, the mountains look like the Rock Candy we had as children; the Cinnamon hearts show their red blush and share their wonderful scent. Put it all together and it is a healing recipe for the soul. I am in a room full of fear and courage, with a smiling, but very ill, daughter. And I have cinnamon hearts and Rocky Mountains. It is a moment to remember forever. Bonnie Jarvis-Lowe lowe @ superweb.ca I am a retired Registered Nurse. Photography and writing are passions of mine. Retiring in 2000,at the age of 51, and returning to Newfoundland, Canada my home province, allowed me the time to explore these areas and my own creativity at a deeper level. To share my work gives me a great sense of satisfaction. You are encouraged to write to the authors to let them know what you think of their story. Write 2 the Heart now has an affiliate program with Cognigen. They have several long distance plans to chose from. I personally use the PowerNet Global 4.5¢ Per Minute Plan. I love having my own toll free number without the monthly fee; I only pay for actual calls. My family can call home whenever they are out of town. I have used it more times than I care to remember over the last three years in emergency situations. Cognigen has more than just great long distance rates; they have calling cards, internet access, web hosting services and much more. You can check out all of their telecommunication products and services at http://ld.net/?cbspeir. Looking for an affiliate program? You will be surprised at all the products and services you will have access to. Military Prayer Reminder As you read over this list of names, please take a moment to pray for these young people and their families: Chris Speir Tim Speir Alan Todd Holland Graham William Julie Sagel Jessie Marshal Thompson Jason Eric Hernandez Kristin Danielson Ryan Larry Miele Daniel Amy John Joanne Gary Boardwine Josh Hadassah Chanz Wackerly Robert Henderson David Habighurst Tonia Melissa Bair Matthew Nutter Nick Nation Seth Jarrell Please continue to pray for our country, our leaders, and our troops at this time. If you have loved ones in the military, or who are being called to go overseas, send their names (first and last or first only) to be included in our prayer reminder. Cheryl’s Corner David came in the other night extremely upset. “We have to give away the dog.” “Ok,” I said and kept on cleaning the kitchen. “I mean it! He took a can of expensive oil and ate the spray nozzle.” “Ok.” After a while I went and asked him, “Didn’t your friend Jeff want him at one time? Why don’t you ask if he still wants the dog.” David thought about it for ten seconds. “I can’t give him away, tomorrow he will be cute again.” Just as I thought! God bless, Cheryl Copyright © 2005, Write 2 the Heart Nothing may be reproduced or published without the written permission of the individual author or copyright owner. All rights belong to the authors.