A tiny hand-sewn stuffed cloth heart, tucked inside a pocket or held tight in the
palm of a hand, has made a comforting impact for many hospital patients.
The idea for the “Feely Heart” was created in 2005 by Chaplain Randall Trego, head of the Pastoral Care
department at St. Luke
’s The Woodlands Hospital. The idea coincided with preparation for the hospital’s annual Blessing of the Hands ceremony that honors the work of health care
workers and recognizes their worth of also being cared for.
“What a story these hearts tell,” said Chaplain Trego. “I will often hand one of these to a patient who is suffering or frightened, and
it makes such an impression to them to have a simple piece of something
comforting to hold on to. This concept truly dovetails with our mission of
providing faithful, loving care. These hearts are distributed to anyone in need
of a little love, healing and encouragement.
”
From patients, to their family members and friends, even hospital staff, many
who have received a heart have never forgotten what it meant to them during
their time of need. As a result, some have wanted to give back by creating more
hearts to donate to the hospital
’s Pastoral Care Department. Donations have come from individuals across Houston
and from various churches and embroidery groups.
Trego was inspired to begin the project after he read a short story from the
book
My Grandfather’s Blessing by Dr. Rachel N. Remen. The story is about Kimmie, the 4-year-old daughter of
one of Remen
’s breast cancer patients who dies at the age of 37. While Kimmie was visiting
with Remen following her mother
’s death, the girl pulled a tiny stuffed heart from her packet and began rubbing
it. The doctor learned she had received the heart from a family friend at
Bridges, a child bereavement center in Tacoma, Wash., that serves children who
have been touched by death. Children carry them for as long as they need to,
finding comfort in the softness when thinking of their loss, letting them know
it
’s okay to grieve, and reminding them they are loved and can
love. Kimmie would hold that heart against her cheek whenever she’d think about her mother.
Measuring a little less than three inches wide by three inches tall, just a bit
smaller than a Post-It note, the instructions say to cut a heart shape from
scraps of soft, cotton fabric, but not to worry about trimming neat and tidy
edges.
“Life is frayed, and that’s what makes these hearts feel real,” explains Chaplain Trego. “They are a reflection that we are not perfect and can be frayed around the edges
at times.
” Then, a one-eighth inch seam is sewn around the outside of the heart, which is
then stuffed with a polyester fiberfill to add a soft puff.
Trego adds, “I think the deep down significance conveyed in these hearts is the message that
there is more to life than that particular moment they are going through.
”
In the Feely Heart program, hearts are hand stitched and distributed to
patients, their family members and others in need of comfort.
The Woodlands Lifestyles & Homes Magazine features
The Woodlands Homes, Upscale Living, Health and Well-Being,
Shopping, and Entertainment in The Woodlands Texas.
