Hi everybody! I recently met with Jenn, an amazing woman with an enormous heart. We wanted to craft some genuine, outdoorsy headshots for her passion, Healing Hearts. I would say more but I’ll let Jenn explain exactly what that is and the significance of the necklace she wears throughout this shoot:
“My name is Jenn, and I am the founder of Healing Hearts. I am a wife, a sister, a friend, and a Mother to three beautiful littles here on Earth. I am also a bereaved mother. A small town girl, with a love and passion for women, for bereavement, for caring for others. I am someone who wants to make a difference, even if it is a little bit at a time.
Healing Hearts began in 2014, with a huge heart, and passion for helping others. After experiencing two first trimester losses, and struggling with minimal support, I wanted to find a way to reach out to others, in any way I could.
Healing Hearts began with Care Packages, which have been given out to local hospitals, care centres, and personally to women, and families who have experienced loss. These little packages of love were created to show love, support, and provide resources and information, so that others know, how loved they are, and that they are not alone. In a world where everyone grieves differently, sometimes grieving pregnancy loss is considered socially unacceptable. I am trying to speak up on loss, while providing community support, connection, love and understanding. I am passionate about helping others, and believe that grief is a journey. I offer support for any journey. For any one. No matter how recent, or long ago, Healing Hearts is here for you
Healing Hearts is a continuous growing cause that provides bereavement support, building community, and connections, Care Packages, offering support through community events, such as the Wave of Light, that was co-hosted, A Celebration of Women Event, as well as heartfelt expression, with cards for a cause. With God’s help, I hope to grow this ministry even further.
Through my heart to others – support is here.
The significance of a butterfly:
Our first loss happened in 2011, which was unexpected, and completely devastating. I felt incredibly alone with my feelings, heartbroken at what had happened, and struggled to find the support.
I remember a month after our loss, my husband had gone back to work, out of town, and I had decided to travel with our daughter to Saskatchewan, to visit family. It was November, and already so cold. Seasons in Canada, can be extreme, and I remember that November was snowy and cold. With just a month or so after our loss, I was feeling down, and was randomly searching the internet to keep my mind occupied. I had stumbled upon a quote about a butterfly that really resonated with me, and brought a bit of comfort to my heart. The quote had stated, “A butterfly lights beside us like a sunbeam, and for a brief moment, its glory and beauty belong to the world. But then it flies again, and although we wish it could have stayed, we feel so lucky to have seen it.” I really loved that quote, and it reminded me so much of our loss. Although that sweet baby was only here for but a moment, I feel so thankful to have the time I did. A brief moment here, and forever in our hearts. My daughter was napping, so I came upstairs to have some quiet time to reflect alone in the house. My father in law had come in, and I had went to the door to greet him. To my surprise, in the cold of winter, a butterfly flew in the house. Where there shouldn’t have been a butterfly, there was. In the cold, and snow, there was. It was a beautiful moment in my life, one that brought me hope, and filled my heart with love. Butterflies, and that quote, still holds such meaning.
We have experienced two losses, and although nothing can take the hurt away, or the pain we have felt from the losses we have experienced, having that tangible symbol of love has been strength for me on days when my heart feels so heavy. Butterflies bring so much joy to myself, and our family.
This necklace symbolizes my sweet babies in Heaven. A butterfly locket, inside holding two small birthstones, one for each baby. On the back of the locket reads:
Forever in my heart:
10/16/11
9/15/14”
If you’re interested in finding out more or connecting with Jenn, follow this link to the Healing Hearts site: http://www.freetogrieve.com/
Thanks for reading!
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