A Heart for Benji

I happened to go onto Facebook last night, something I do only every couple of months ... I'm not sure why, I just seem to be "Facebook challenged".

I'm glad I checked in.
I found out about Benji.

When I first met Benji back in the early 1980's, he hugged me. Benji was from Peru, and was one of the nicest men I've ever known - and he was a great hugger! I was at that time engaged to his nephew, and Benji made me feel like part of the family.
Through the years, even though we only got together every couple of years, I always felt love and kinship from him, Aunt Geri, and cousin Michael.

Several months ago, Benji was diagnosed with cancer.
If I had spent more time on Facebook, I would have known.
But I didn't.

Benji passed away last Saturday.
I missed the opportunity to hug him one last time.
To tell him how much I loved him.
Even when my husband and I separated ... to Benji I was still family.

I feel so guilty.
I didn't even know he was sick.

I love you, Mr. Enrique Cordova. I miss you. I'm sorry I wasn't there for you. I'm so glad you were surrounded by family and friends ... I just wish one of them had been me.

Heaven is brighter for your presence ... and earth is a little dimmer.

Rest in peace, dear Benji.
Love and Peace to Geri and Michael, and the rest of my extended in-law family.

I love you all.
I miss you all.

Guest Heart Thursday #98

Welcome to Guest Heart Thursday -
A place to share YOUR heart!

I had to make a quick run into the store the other day - mom decided to wait in the car. When I came back outside and put my stuff away, mom excitedly asked me if I had my camera ... and told me to look up in the tree I had just parked in front of.

Sure enough, there was a beautiful mossy heart!

Thank you, mom, for sharing your heart!

My sisters are, and have always been, a hugely wonderful part of my life.
Sadly, I don't get to see them enough!

My sissie Beth has the privilege of spending one day a week with our delightful niece - while her mom, my sissie Leigh (AKA Honey) is at work. Part of their day includes going for a walk ... only it's not just "a walk" - it is a heart hunt!

They find the most amazing hearts together ... and I am envious.

Sissie Beth and "Honey Heart" ...

Thank you, my Honeys, for sharing your heart!

I have seen many graffiti hearts ... what is it about this one that tugs at my soul?
I think it must be the magic of Helen ... over at "Natures Walk Studio". Please visit Helen, and be sure to let me know how she does it!!!

Thank you, Helen, for sharing your magic ... and your heart!

I already told you about my sissies and niece ...
This is a heart that Beth found the last time they spent the day together ... what a wonderful way to serve a "hearty" breakfast!
Giggle.

Beth posts her adventures with our niece (and other treasures and adventures!) on her delightful blog "Expect the Unexpected". I can't wait to see what she comes up with next!

Thank you, Sissie, for sharing your heart!

If you love postcards, then you probably already know about "Postcardy". I have never seen so many gorgeous and delightful postcards in my life!

Apparently Postcardy isn't just about postcards ... look at this wonderful old book ... complete with heart!

Thank you, Postcardy, for sharing your passion ... and your heart!

One world. One people. One heart.

As always - a huge thank you to all who linked up with Guest Heart Thursday last week. I loved seeing all of the delightful and amazing hearts you found in your world!

Would you like to share your heart on Guest Heart Thursday?
The rules are easy ...
There are none!!!
As long as your post includes a heart!

If you have found a heart (or drawn a heart, or designed a heart, or written a heart-felt poem, or ...), please join us for Guest Heart Thursday. Just link the URL of your heart post to Linky! It would be nice if you linked back to Random Hearts ... but it's okay not to ... we just want to see your hearts!
The link will be open from Thursday morning until Sunday night.

Have you found more than one heart?

Put in more than one link!,

Is your heart from a long time ago?
It doesn't matter, as long as you put the direct URL to that post!

Guest Heart Thursday #97

Welcome to Guest Heart Thursday -
A place to share YOUR heart!

Costas over at the magical "Nature Digital" posted this picture of the entry of a hotel he visited a while back. I don't think he even noticed the chairs had heart shaped backs!

Be sure to visit Costas - where he is working to keep warm in the cold and snow!

Thank you, Costas, for sharing your heart!

Not to be outdone, Namaki of "Objectif Regarder" found this snow covered chair ... and heart!

It looks like a lot of people all over the world are trying to keep warm this winter.

Thank you, Namaki, for sharing your heart!

It's been two years since Linda S. went walking with us over at The Abandoned ...
Where she found this amazing tree heart.

I miss you, Linda, our adopted sissie!
I hope you can visit again soon!

Thank you, Linda, for sharing your heart!

This eerie moon picture was sent to me by my sister-in-law.
I love how the moon has become a heart ...
And reflects the heart-shaped shadow behind it!

Thank you, Bert, for sharing your heart!

Today is a special day over at "A Dancing Mango".
It's Darlene's Mom's birthday!
She is 85 year young today - so be sure to go over to Darlene's blog to wish MOM a happy birthday!!!

And be sure to check out Darlene's beautiful artwork - I am in awe of her talent!

And I still maintain, Darlene, that you are one of the most genuinely nicest people I've come across here in Blogland. You continue to inspire me.

Thank you, Darlene, for sharing your heart!

One world. One people. One heart.

As always - a huge thank you to all who linked up with Guest Heart Thursday last week. I loved seeing all of the delightful and amazing hearts you found in your world!

Would you like to share your heart on Guest Heart Thursday?
The rules are easy ...
There are none!!!
As long as your post includes a heart!

If you have found a heart (or drawn a heart, or designed a heart, or written a heart-felt poem, or ...), please join us for Guest Heart Thursday. Just link the URL of your heart post to Linky! It would be nice if you linked back to Random Hearts ... but it's okay not to ... we just want to see your hearts!
The link will be open from Thursday morning until Sunday night.

Have you found more than one heart?

Put in more than one link!,

Is your heart from a long time ago?
It doesn't matter, as long as you put the direct URL to that post!

Becoming Heart ...

A random piece of cloth, tied to a light pole in the middle of a busy shopping center parking lot hangs mute ...

Until the breeze picks up, and the silky red fabric begins to sway and dance!

Becoming first one heart ...

And then another.

I like to think of this bit of cloth ... in the still of the night; in the chaos of the day ... still hangs there in the parking lot ... silently BECOMING HEART ... again and again.

Electrical Conduit Heart

The "abandoned" church across the street has been stripped to it's bare bones.
Bits of wire, metal and PVC pipes hang precariously, clanging noisily when the wind blows through the broken windows ...
Causing the electrical conduit heart to sway gently in the breeze ...
Bringing a little warmth to the cold bare building.

Guest Heart Thursday #96

Welcome to Guest Heart Thursday -
A place to share YOUR heart!

Doesn't this ham heart look yummy?
I thought so too when my sister-in-law sent me this picture!

Thank you, Bert, for sharing your heart!

Do you see the heart in this tree?
It's hiding in plain sight!
Costas found this beautiful tree heart and posted it to his blog - "Nature Digital" - a place where magic is found.

Thank you, Costas, for sharing your heart!

Another magical place I love to visit is Judy's "Lilac Gate".
I've never been to Canada, but Judy makes me wish I could go to see the beauty she finds ... like this wonderful macro of a poinsettia Judy posted a while back. I never realized before that poinsettias had heart!

Thank you, Judy, for sharing your heart!

Prospero is a poet, but not in the usual sense. His photography, paired with his words, create a visual poem ... when you visit him over at "Serendipitous Gardens" you will understand what I mean.

I was especially drawn by this flower ... the magic Prospero used to highlight the delicate heart petals ... the moodiness he somehow infused ...

Thank you, Prospero, for sharing your heart!
And for being such a kind blogging-bro!

Abe posted this picture of a sharp shinned hawk this winter ... check out the incredible heart on its chest!

If you don't know Abe, you need to visit him over at "My Bird's Blog" ... where he shares amazing photos of birds that visit him in his own back yard!!!

Thank you, Abe, for sharing your heart!

One world. One people. One heart.

As always - a huge thank you to all who linked up with Guest Heart Thursday last week. I loved seeing all of the delightful and amazing hearts you found in your world!

Would you like to share your heart on Guest Heart Thursday?
The rules are easy ...
There are none!!!
As long as your post includes a heart!

If you have found a heart (or drawn a heart, or designed a heart, or written a heart-felt poem, or ...), please join us for Guest Heart Thursday. Just link the URL of your heart post to Linky! It would be nice if you linked back to Random Hearts ... but it's okay not to ... we just want to see your hearts!
The link will be open from Thursday morning until Sunday night.

Have you found more than one heart?

Put in more than one link!,

Is your heart from a long time ago?
It doesn't matter, as long as you put the direct URL to that post!

Guest Heart Thursday #95

Welcome to Guest Heart Thursday -
A place to share YOUR heart!

My friend Bhavesh has found another heart -
This one is a beautiful pink geranium!
Bhavesh is a wonderful artist, don't you think?
His photography of India, which he posts on his BLOG, makes me smile.

Thank you, Bhavesh, for sharing your heart!

Jill is another amazing photographer whose work makes me smile - like this beautiful warbler (wearing its heart on its wing!).
You may know Jill as "Johnny Nutcase" - and she has the best job in the world.
If you don't believe me, check out her blog "Count Your Chicken! We're Taking Over"!!!

Thank you, Jill, for sharing your heart!

Loulou is another of my friends from India.
She is an award-winning photographer, and when you visit her over at "Indiaphragme", you will be in awe of her art - as I am.

Thank you, Loulou, for sharing your heart!

One of my favorite pieces of artwork comes from a place close to my heart.
Family!
My darling niece made this beautiful picture just for me!!!
Do you see the heart?

Thank you, Tiffi, for sharing your heart!

Fijit Friends are interactive toys that are very popular.
But who knew they have heart shaped ears???
Only Bert, my sister-in-law, would have figured this one out!!!

Thank you, Bert, for sharing your Fijit - heart!

One world. One people. One heart.

As always - a huge thank you to all who linked up with Guest Heart Thursday last week. I loved seeing all of the delightful and amazing hearts you found in your world!

Would you like to share your heart on Guest Heart Thursday?
The rules are easy ...
There are none!!!
As long as your post includes a heart!

If you have found a heart (or drawn a heart, or designed a heart, or written a heart-felt poem, or ...), please join us for Guest Heart Thursday. Just link the URL of your heart post to Linky! It would be nice if you linked back to Random Hearts ... but it's okay not to ... we just want to see your hearts!
The link will be open from Thursday morning until Sunday night.

Have you found more than one heart?

Put in more than one link!,

Is your heart from a long time ago?
It doesn't matter, as long as you put the direct URL to that post!

My Linky account has expired, and my previous links have been removed. I am very frustrated, as I had paid through TODAY, and the links disappeared this morning.
I am trying a new format - "Simply Linked". Please let me know if this works for you!