Spreading Hearts

Spreading Hearts to Barack Obama

jeanne — Fri, 18 May 2012 15:21:33 +0000

Wait a minute… What have I been thinking? Or, NOT thinking. Everyone and their brother is talking about the NATO Summit here in Chicago this weekend. Yes the professional protestors (I shall save all of our time and make no further comments about them/that scene), the roads blocked, the dignitaries that will be here and everything in-between. There will be MUCH put on the table to discuss, to debate, to fight over…with the hope of what? At this point I’m so confused I’m not even sure what I should be hoping/praying will come out of this history making (expensive) “event”.

Here is something that I DO know will be on the table for the NATO attendees: Malnati’s Chicago Pizza. Yeah. Cool. No really. Marc (my husband) and his partner Jim De’Angelo will be serving pizza for lunch on Saturday and Sunday. How neat is that? It’s neat.

But there’s something that is 100x, no 1000x neater and cooler…and I just put the pieces of the puzzle together: this is my V-8 (not G-8) moment. And I had to tell all of you – and ask you to pass this on to everyone you know and ask them to – yes – PRAY. Whether you pray or not, would you at least pray this one time, for me? Thanks.

LONG story short – and I don’t have time because I must get this blog post to my computer guru – Josh Eaton (who is traveling around the world with his adorable wife Caroline,

with backpacks only, which include 200 small pewter hearts that they are spreading!! Josh and Caroline just arrived in Hanoi, Vietnam! Read their blog- an incredible story unfolding! See: www.traveling9to5.com) and I must get this post to him, thus no time for elaborate stories and details.

Here it is:

When spreading hearts was born/began in South Africa in the summer of 2009, where I was with my two daughters, Kelsey Malnati Howell and Melissa Malnati, there was ONE vision that was on my heart from the very get-go: (It’s in one of my first spreading hearts blog posts) That President Obama would receive one of our small pewter hearts. And that he would be carrying the heart in his pocket and at a meeting with a Prime Minister he would be jingling his hand, out of nervousness, in his pocket, with his change. He would feel the small pewter heart, he would feel a gentle nudge/hear a still small voice, and pull his small pewter heart out and hand it to the Prime Minister, who in turn would put the heart in his pocket, and…the story goes on- with the ending being: World Peace.

YES… And just this morning….why I have not thought about it until now….well, it doesn’t matter…. I wasn’t “supposed” to until this moment…..

The equation, through pictures, at the top of this post:

The NATO Summit + Malnati’s Pizza + Spreading Hearts =’s:

Marc Malnati + a small pewter heart in his pocket

+ meeting President Obama

(as was told he’d be given the opportunity to) =’s:

Marc gives a heart to President Obama. Marc shares our vision of spreading hearts and world peace (or not – just give him the heart!) . Hearts are the universal language of love and peace and goodwill. THAT’s what we need. WORLD PEACE. It’s a start. It’s a middle. It’s an end. (and yes, a whole LOT of other in-between!)

So here’s my “ask” for all of you…. Would you please pray first that yes, Marc is allowed to even bring pewter hearts (even one) into McCormick Place (security is going to be unbelievable). And secondly, that Marc does get to meet the President. And, most important, that Marc will have the guts to give him the heart, and to explain the symbolism of it, the HOPE, and the love and goodwill that comes from a single pewter heart being spread…and then passed on and on and on… Thousands of small pewter hearts being spread and then passed on and on and on….

Who knows what could happen? Who knows what will happen….?

What I do know is that my heart is beating so quickly in this moment, and tears are being held back (no time to cry – just gotta write) at the prospect of….

A small pewter heart….being spread….to someone, a human someone, who IS in a position of power and influence….and IS with many others who do as well…… to help change the world- ONE HEART AT A TIME. I truly believe it can happen – the world can change. Hearts can be touched, and moved and changed this weekend. NATO Summit. Chicago. May 19-20, 2012. Malnati’s pizza. A small pewter heart.

God’s

Will be done.

Spreading Hearts Across the Country – On Dry Ice?!

jeanne — Fri, 06 Apr 2012 09:48:28 +0000

What does pizza, chocolate chip cookies, spreading hearts and giving back to the community have in common? A lot!

Lou Malnati’s pizzeria (our personal favorite ) recently made the decision to sell/send frozen heart shape pizzas and heart shape chocolate chip cookies, via overnight mail, YEAR ROUND (not just at Valentine’s Day!) How cool is that? (Great anniversary gift, birthday, your college kid having a bad day, a thank-you gift to the in-laws? Etc.)

What’s even cooler is that along with the pizza and cookie two small pewter hearts are also being included – one for the receiver to keep and one for the receiver to spread, so to help change the world….one heart at a time!

And if that’s not cool enough….(which it is, but wait….there is more!) for every heart shape frozen pizza that is sold, Malnati’s is going to donate a frozen pizza to the local food pantry run by Willow Creek Community Church (in South Barrington, IL). Yes, very cool.

So, hearts are going to be eaten, hearts are going to be spread and hearts will be touched…A whole lot of lovin going on! We at spreading hearts are proud to be a part of it.

Opening Day at Wrigley Field – Hearts are Spread!

jeanne — Fri, 06 Apr 2012 09:44:59 +0000

My husband and I went to opening day at Wrigley Field today……

Yah, yah, so they didn’t win. Whatever.

I’m not here to talk about the Cubs anyway, rather, 2 special hearts that were spread at the Cubs game. The seats next to us were empty for several innings. What? Empty seats on opening day? I don’t think so….. A young man finally showed up. He was by himself. I asked him if he came to the games very often. I was trying to be friendly, making small talk, you know. He responded “Sometimes”.

“Are you meeting someone today?”, I asked.

The 20-something, good-looking, young man, looked at me and responded, hesitantly, quietly…

“My dad and I were coming together to the game today…..but he died this morning.”

Ummmmm….Oh my…..gulp. oh, wow…. Eeeeeee, um, how sad…gulp. Sigh..

“Oh my, wow, that’s awful….”

“Yea…..I decided I had to come anyway though – to honor him…..” His lips were quivering, eyes welling up…. OF COURSE.

I love how God works. I love that He worked it out for us to sit next to each other. What a privilege to love on someone who has just lost a loved one. I mean, no, I don’t mean that…that I love to….it’s hard and sad.

Of course.

It stinks actually.

What I mean is, I love that sometimes I’m the one selected to “be” with a person when a heart is aching. They are holy moments. You know what I mean?

I’m happy I listened to that still small voice this morning when I was getting dressed. I put a heart in my pocket, like I do every day. This morning though, I kind of felt the nudge of “You might need a couple extras today”, so I brought 2 additional ones.

Yep. We never know, do we? We never know when we’re going to have the chance to “be there” for someone when they may most need it. In the middle of balls and strikes, hotdogs and peanuts, with Bill Murray singing “Take Me Out to the Ball Game”, I had the chance to gently ask my new friend questions, to empathize, to listen, to hear how his dad’s death was sudden and out of the blue. To hear he was at his dad’s bedside when he died just a few hours earlier. To yes, you guessed it. To spread 2 small pewter hearts to him….”My daughters and I spread small pewter hearts…..” I said as I pulled them out of my pocket. I put one in his hand – “This one is for you”. “And this one”, as I gave him the other, “is to remind you of your dad and the date you were to have here today.”

Spreading hearts. Are you doing it? Have you tried it? Do you carry one or two hearts in your pocket, or wallet, so to be ready when someone crosses your path? No really.

Try it, you’ll like – love- it.

Yes, today at Cubs park, amongst the sadness, there was pure joy in spreading hearts. As always, you are welcome to join us. Share your story on our new, beautiful website. Mark on the map where you gave or received a heart.

As the young man was leaving today he looked and thanked us for listening, for cheering him up and for helping make his dark day, a little brighter. A small heart. A small gesture.

I do believe that when we give, we receive. His pain gave me the unexpected opportunity and gift to touch my pain….the death of my dad…. I also had the brief joy of remembering – how much… I LOVED going to the Cubs game…. with him.

Teachers Can’t Touch, but They Can Spread a Heart!

jeanne — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 17:54:00 +0000

HELLO!

Below is a guest post from a new friend. She saw my 11-11-11-post on FaceBook and requested 11 hearts to share with students. Please read her story – about the first heart she spread. What a beautiful example of an individual taking advantage of a moment, being so present, engaging her heart (even if it meant breaking some rules!) – so to touch the life of someone else. This time, a 6th grade girl, who longed to be loved. (don’t we all!?!)

Bless you Annie.

Dear Jeanne-
I want to thank you so much for the hearts you sent. Putting in an extra one for me was just what the doctor ordered!! I had just walked back to my classroom when I received a phone call from our guidance counselor. One of my 6th graders was having a melt down and would only speak to me. This girl is one of the sweetest and kindest children I’ve had the pleasure of teaching! From a previous activity I did with the kids; I found out that in her 11 years of life, her father molested her (he’s in prison); her mother has been in and out of jail for numerous things; not one member of her family had ever graduated high school; she went to live with grandparents (her grandfather died over Veteran Day weekend and her grandmother had a breakdown when this happened) and now is unable to care for her; and now is living with a cousin (who’s not sure if she can become her foster mother or not) Can you believe this precious thing has gone through so much. On top of that, prior to her grandfather passing, he always told her she be a “hoe” and “druggie” like your momma.
Sorry to tell you all of this BUT I felt you needed a bit of background on the first child I gave a heart to…

I brought her to my room and let her sit there and cry. Teachers are not suppose to touch/hug our kids. There was NO way I wasn’t going to hold this child as she cried. As she sobbed, I rocked and held her and told her how precious she is. I asked her if she believed in God (a BIG NO-NO but…) she said she did. I then told her that God had brought a remarkable woman by the name of Jeanne into my life. I showed her the package and the hearts. Her comment, “These are so pretty! What are you going to do with them?” I explained that I had asked for a package to share with special students. I then said, “I’d be honored if YOU would accept the first heart?!” She hugged me and started crying. “Do I have to give it back?” she asked. “No sweetie, this is for you to hold on to until you feel that you’d like to pass it on to someone!” I wish I had taken a picture of her tear stained face with the biggest smile you can imagine!!! (She is on the no photo list so I can’t take her picture). I then told her you sent an extra heart for me. I asked her to pick out a heart that would be my special heart. We put the hearts in our hands and clasped hands together. The positive energy was so electric!!!

Forgive me for going on…I just felt you needed to hear some of this. God Bless you and I will keep on spreading the hearts in your good name!!! Peace and Love, Annie

Teacher Prayer Dear Lord, bless Annie mightily
as she seeks to teach, enrich and guide
Your precious children.
Grant her abundant resources to do her job,
intelligence, wisdom, sensitivity, kindness,
and the material things that make it possible
to turn some of these tender green plants
into the strong, stable trees that will lead our nation,
to transform some of these buds into brilliant flowers
that will bring light, color and happiness
to all who encounter them,
and to give every one of them the tools
to be creative, and productive and to develop
their own kind of success in the world.
Lord, wrap Your loving arms around Annie
who gives so much of herself to grow our youth
into creative, responsible adults.
We pray that You will immerse her in your boundless, transcendent love.
We pray that You will strengthen and soothe her when she has given so much of herself that she needsYour extra attention, Your extra care.
We love, respect and admire these teachers, Lord
and we pray that you will watch over them always–
these special people who hold our children
and our future in their hands.
Amen. By Joanna Fuchs

Don’t You Just Love the Uniqueness of People’s Hearts?!

jeanne — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 05:18:00 +0000

Hi there,

You may have seen that we offered 11 hearts, free, on 11-11-11, between the hours of 11:11 AM – 11:11 PM. I know, I know. Kind of silly.
And NOT!

I wanted to write and say thank you to those who participated. Thank you to those who desire to “see” people, to acknowledge individuals, to reach out and “touch” someone, by way of spreading small pewter hearts.

There were over 20 individuals who replied to the offer. From New York, to Florida, to Georgia, to Chicago, to Lake-in-the-Hills, to many in-between, to Indiana, to Idaho, to California, there is a whole lot of spreading happening!! Sure touches my daughters and mine hearts!!

I asked a few questions of these individuals. Here’s some of the responses to the first one:

1. Why do you want to spread hearts? Listen to some of theses responses:

From Annie: “I am a middle school teacher who would LOVE to spread the hearts around to some of my students. I can’t afford to buy them and give them out (truly wish I could). I have some wonderful students who come to school in spite of all the adversities they have at home. I just want them to “feel the love.” To ANNIE - How lucky those students are to have YOU!

Elizabeth: “Because I want people to know how loved they are – by me and God!” To LIZ – I know you and you ARE a lover!

Patty: “I want to spread hearts because I love making people feel loved and appreciated and I believe that makes them want to do the same.” To PATTY – you are an acts-of -service girl. You love so well. And, you know how to make people feel special!

Myra: “I LOVE to hand out the beautiful hearts to people who have so touched mine! It allows me to turn around and touch them in a very special way as they had just touched my heart in a special way. There is nothing like the experience of noticing someone do something kind and showing them you noticed and really appreciate it.” To MYRA: You have purchased hearts already and know the joy of spreading them. A jewel in your crown!

Linda: “I love random acts of kindness. Its even more fun to give them than to be on the receiving end, though that’s pretty wonderful also! I try every day to encourage at least one person; grocery store has opportunities galore! Sharing little hearts just sounds so exciting!” To LINDA: It IS exciting! and you will see! Have you ever seen the short video “Johnny the Bagger”? You-tube it. You’ll be touched!

Sharon: “I would like to spread hearts because you spread one with me — there are a lot of lonely people like me in this world that might be touched by a heart.” To SHARON: I LOVED reading this from you friend.

Joanna: “There are so many hurting people in the world. Perhaps a little heart, and a smile, and a few loving, caring words to go with it, will brighten someones day and give them hope.” To JOANNA: YES!! Go brighten people’s days with that smile of yours.

Kim: “I want to spread hearts because I think it’s a wonderful thing to do. I have been the recipient of hearts in my life – not physical hearts, but the hearts of my friends, family and of strangers in a time of dire personal need. It is very important for me to pay that forward, and this is just one more way for me to do that.” To KIM: Paying it forward, in ANY way is a beautiful thing! And I especially love that you will include small pewter hearts to do so!

Katrina: “I would love to spread hearts out here in California! I go into Los Angeles sometimes, and there is such a desperate need for people there to know they’re loved! Also, there’s so many students here that look so empty and spreading hearts to them is such a tangible way to bring light into their lives. To KATRINA: Hi there! Melissa loved when she saw your name! And yes, we hear you. Yes, go love on the students out there. You will beautifully change lives by gently “seeing” them. God bless!

Emily: “I love the idea of showing people that you are thinking about them in such a small, but significant way.” To EMILY: You are a heart spreader for life – far and wide! Thank you for spreading them in Peru, including leaving one on Machu Pichu! You rock!

Wendy: “Why not?! I love the concept! Everyone needs a bit more love in their life. The idea of sharing and then sharing more love, is amazing! I can already think of many loved ones and friends who could use a little “love”. Especially for my sister who has breast cancer and of course little McKenna (www.fortheloveofmckenna.org) who is always in need of some extra prayers and love.” To WENDY: Thank you for having just purchased hearts before the 11-11-11 offer was made! Yes, prayers to McKenna. She’s so very lucky to have you.

Kit: “A moment of connection between two hearts can slip from memory in the cacophony of our workaday worlds…and glimpsing the lovely symbol of your pewter hearts can help carry that moment forward as it triggers a memory of “where it came from and how I got this.” To KIT: So beautifully said. Thank you!

Nan-D: “I’d like to give them to special friends and family to show them how much they mean to me. I hope that with that gift they will follow your blog and pay it forward.” To NAN: To my friend of 36 years. I love you.
Susan: “Because one of my purposes in life that God wants me to do is to love others.” To SUSAN: Warmed my heart so much when I received this email. Tender.

Debbie: “Love the idea of spreading hearts. I would like to give some to my in-laws who are headed to Haiti for their 3rd missions trip in January. I am a kindergarten teacher and would love to spread them to children in our school who I see do amazing things with our special needs population.” To DEBBIE: From Haiti to kindergarten children. Spread them generously!

Nancy: “I want to spread hearts to encourage people.” To NANCY: Said so simply. Go do it!!

Please follow us on:

This blog: spreadinghearts.blogspot.com

Website: spreadinghearts.org

(watch for our updated – COOL – website coming soon)

Email: spreadinghearts@gmail.com

Facebook: spreadinghearts

Twitter: spreadinghearts

11 Hearts in Honor of 11-11-11

jeanne — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 17:10:00 +0000

For TODAY only,

on 11-11-11

we want to give you, free, from

our heart to your heart

11 small pewter hearts

to anyone who feels moved to join us in spreading good-will in the world. To spread hearts, all it takes is:

a small pewter heart.
your heart desiring to touch someone else’s,
reaching out and noticing someone,
telling them you “see” them,
that they are special.
You hand them a small pewter heart.
Tell them thanks for touching your heart.
Or, that they have a beautiful heart.

It’s simple. It’s meaningful. You will be blessed as the giver, just as much as the receiver, really.

To have your 11 FREE hearts mailed to you, simply
Email us at:
jm@jeannemalnati.com

1. Your mailing address
2. Why you desire to spread hearts
3. How YOU most feel loved
4. And, what does speaking the truth in love look like to you?

Thank you. And may God Bless you on this day 11-11-11.
New beginnings, fresh starts and clean slates!

Melissa, Kelsey and Jeanne Malnati

11-11-11 = 11 free small pewter hearts for those who feel called!

jeanne — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 06:00:00 +0000

Hello Friends!

Today marks a day I have been thinking about and anticipating for a long time. I’ve had dreams of leading or being a part of some big movement: helping to change the world by standing along side a large group of people, declaring a cleaning of our slates, with each person making a decision of what “It’s Time” to begin in their lives.

Yes, new beginnings, fresh starts and a clean slate – what better day than a day like 11-11-11 with a full moon as well!

However, I realized a few things this past year, and particularly this past month. The main one being, it would take me off the path that I am clearly on. The focused and exciting path of writing my book, building my new business of speaking and working with leadership teams- creating safe places for people to speak the truth to one another face to face instead of whispering, gossiping and complaining behind closed doors or over the water cooler. Stay tuned for more. Cutting edge it is. I love it. It’s time to do something more about relationships and healthy interpersonal communication amongst business communities and teams! Do I hear an Amen?!


11 small pewter hearts just for you.

This post though, and this blog site, is not about business. No. This is about a calling my two daughters and I had 2 1/2 years ago in South Africa, where Melissa was doing a missions type-college assignment trip. We began spreading hearts – small pewter hearts – while we were there, to unsuspecting individuals whose hearts touched ours. Since then, it has become a movement. A beautiful, heart-centered, heart-touching, heart-spreading, movement that is slowly taking hold: now across 9 countries and numerous states in the US! We are excited that a new website is being made – where people can share their heart stories, as well as mark on a world map where the hearts are!! COOL!


Kelsey Malnati Howell; Melissa Malnati (who was in Africa for 5 weeks); and Jeanne Malnati. A picture Kelsey and Melissa painted for their mom on her birthday.

Friends, our intent in bringing you to this blog today is this:

In honor of the date 11-11-11,
we want to give each person who desires: 11 small pewter hearts to spread. Would you join us in spreading some love and good-will?

Yes, I’m serious. Probably cuckoo in the head too, however – 11-11-11 comes along only once in our lifetime. To me, that’s no small thing.

If you so feel called, if there is a tug at your heart, a smile on your face, a twinkle in your eye, a “Hot Dog!”, or some such behavior or response to the idea of receiving 11 small pewter hearts from us in the mail, (did I say FREE?!) then step right on up and let us hear from you.

You must do only two things:

1. You must respond to this offer between the hours of 11:11 AM and 11:11 PM TODAY, on 11-11-11. BTW – do not even think of trying to inch your way in any other way/time. (Feel free to purchase them at spreadinghearts.org).

2. During those hours you will need to send me an email with your mailing address and answer a few questions (For a bit of research I am doing. No names mentioned. 111% confidentiality).

Send to:

JM@jeannemalnati.com

Please answer the following:

Why do you want to spread hearts?
How do YOU feel MOST loved?
What does “speaking the truth face to face” mean to you?
Would you commit to sending us some stories about the hearts you spread and then grant us permission to include them on our new web site as soon as that is created, so to inspire one another?

And that’s it!

Email us your name, address and the answers to the above questions. Remember – we must receive your email between 11:11 AM and 11:11 PM for this free offer to be valid. (Just because – that’s part of the coolness!)

From our hearts, we say thank you. We are thrilled to have more people spreading hearts. And believe us when we tell you – YOU will be blessed just as much or more than the receiver!!
This is our gift to you.

Thank you for wanting to spread good-will instead of ill-will in this world. We all desire to be seen and noticed and Loved!! So “see”, “notice” and Love-on!

Tenderly,

Melissa, Kelsey and Jeanne Malnati
JM@jeannemalnati.com

I DON’T WANNA

jeanne — Mon, 31 Oct 2011 20:39:00 +0000

Hello,
I’m taking this magic wand and using it on myself today. I’m taking it and gently waving it all around me sprinkling it’s magic dust of joy, completeness, acceptance, vision, gentleness and organization-of-the-mind all around me. Quite a random lot of word wishes at one time. It is.

I’m spreading myself a heart. Just because.
Just because?

Just because. I’m hoping it will offset this rhythm and pounding of thoughts I have going on in my head. The wave of things to do, complete, finish, begin. I feel boxed in by others and then by myself. Judging myself. Now that’s real helpful and motivating.

uh, no it’s not.

what’s a woman to do?

Here’s what I’m to do.

Spread a heart to myself, quickly.
now.
grace. peace. acceptance. “whateva”.
God is with me. Look to him. Proverbs 3:5,6. Don’t forget that’s my life verse.

Oh, that’s right.
thanks, I did forget.

Deep breathe.

Maybe you need to spread a heart of forgiveness and renewal to yourself today?

STOP eating the Halloween candy and instead, hug yourself and ask someone else to hug you too?

Much love, jeanne

What do American Idol and Kyle Korver have to do with each other?

jeanne — Wed, 31 Aug 2011 02:51:28 +0000

Another cool story and then I’ll sign off: (Susan this blog post is for you! xo)
Soul City Church (soulcitychurch.com), in the heart of the West Loop of Chicago (my close friends Jeanne and Jarrett Stevens have begun this amazing church. If you have not attended, do yourself a favor and come join them on a Sunday!), along with the Kyle Korver Foundation (kylekorverfoundation.com), came together and generously and lovingly filled over 250 backpacks full of school supplies for Brown Elementary school in the inner city of Chicago.

Spreading Hearts received the opportunity to put one small pewter heart in each back pack. No note, nothing added to it. Just a small heart, to be discovered by each child, at the “perfect” time – no doubt.

A Heart When It Was Needed The Most

jeanne — Tue, 30 Aug 2011 23:28:00 +0000

“Hello Jeanne,

This weekend I had a few friends over from Pneumatix.

Ivor Swartz told me about your story and handed me a heart and said ‘You are a really good friend and have good Heart‘. I was touched. My life changed then and there. I started thinking about it all and how it moved me and I came to the conclusion that it would be a wonderful blessing if I as well could change someones life the way mine was changed this weekend.

So I went and read some of the stories on your blog and there was no question or second thought about it in my mind. I had to do this.”

Kind Regards

Annika Dique

Bellville, Western Cape

South Africa

This story comes from an email I received yesterday. Our original heart spreader friend Ivor, from South Africa, touched and changed another life, forever. He listened. He noticed. He “saw” this woman. He chose to love her in that moment. Ivor sealed the moment by taking a risk and spreading a heart to Annika. Before receiving this email, she ordered hearts from our website (spreadinghearts.org). I can’t wait to get them in the mail to her. Bless you and thank you. This is for you Annika:

DOWNTOWN CHICAGO….

I was sitting on the cement ledge along Lake Michigan in Chicago a couple Sunday’s ago. I looked up when I heard an over sized, middle-aged man screaming: “GO – GO GO- HARDER…FASTER….DON’T STOP!” There was much emotion and volume coming from his voice – which came across as anger more than anything else. He was walking along the cement sidewalk, looking below, down into the water, waving his arms dramatically. “SWIM. KEEP GOING. NO YOU CANNOT STOP!”

Holy cow. He was messin with my peaceful, Sunday afternoon day-at-the-beach feng shui. Please shut your yapper buddy.

There was also a little boy dressed in a swimsuit and goggles, walking along side this man. They appeared to be a father-son combo. They were accompanied by a Chicago Park District male life guard who was complete with his official life-saving flotation device. Who was this man screaming at? why was the seven year old little boy seemingly so distraught? yet the life-guard, so….calm? It was a bazaar scene.

The picture became clearer: Dad was screaming at his older son who was in the lake down below. You could tell the two boys were brothers, as they had matching swim trunks and swim goggles, with over-extended belly’s and chubby cheeks. The older of the two, the one in the water, was maybe 9-10 years old. Yes, he was the one swimming in the rough waters of Lake Michigan– by himself.

Just as this group was directly in front of me -no more than 2 feet away – the swimming boy started flopping around saying – “NO!“, pleading, “Dad, I can’t do it anymore. I can’t swim. PLEASE.”

“You too can swim. NOW SWIM.”.

“Dad, I can’t..I’m gonna drown. Please dad….”, he spouted out those words at the same time he clearly swallowed water.

And in the next moment, the boy began going under.

He came back up, gasping for air, and then went under again. He was crying….well, as best you can cry while trying to swim by yourself in the current of Lake Michigan on a warm Sunday afternoon with a screaming dad, panicky little brother, a calm 90210/Baywatch life-guard walking along side you–all while pleading for your life at the same time.

What the…..heck?? I froze, trying to take this scene in. I looked at the guy and girl next to me and they too were staring with mouths wide open. The guy and dog to my right were both looking upon the drama in amazement. The dog was the first to speak, standing up, whimpering. All of us were quickly trying to register in our minds what was happening…. and…even more so, what we should do.

It was a disturbing scene. The dad continued to yell:

“You are staying in that water. You’re not done yet!”
Again the 10 year old pleaded… and again he went under water. The next time up he tried dog paddling and pleading. That combo didn’t work either.

Oh my.

The younger brother began jumping around, “Dad, I’ll go in. Dad, I’ll go in. He can come out. I’ll go in.”
The dad ignored the 7 year old.

The thing that made this scene peculiar was that the lifeguard, who was clearly with them, was not reacting or engaging at all – rather was too unattached, in my judgement. I took a quick glance at the other folks looking on, and said to the guy on my left – “Uh, Hello, this is a call to DCFS (Department of Children and Family Services).” (Or something brilliant like that.) The guy responded, nodding his head saying, – “Yeah, this is one of those times when you ask yourself, do I jump in now and help, or wait?” It was disturbing to say the least. This continued in front of us for what seemed like 15 minutes.

‘Yes, please, oh please’ I whispered to myself as I rummaged through my bag.

I got up and quickly walked up to the father and quietly said to him (holding my tongue) – “Here. Would you please give this to your son when he finishes?” I stretched out my hand. He looked at me and immediately put his hand out to receive. I placed it in his hand. The dad looked in the palm of his hand, and then looked at me, and then looked back.. at the small pewter heart I had placed in it. Without saying a word, he flung around and with obvious relief in his voice, yelled to his swimming son saying, “Here, look (holding up the heart), when you finish you get a heart.”

That was all he said.

I’ll never forget this next moment. (So tender). The struggling, exasperated, and what seemed to be, near drowning little boy, looked at his dad and then looked at the heart he was holding. While spitting and sputtering and crying he managed to take a quick glance up at me. Our eyes locked for a nano-second. I smiled.
You know, a kind, “you can do it” kind of smile?

(Where was his mother anyway?!)

I was shocked at what happened next.
After our eyes met, and not another word was spoken, that young boy, who by this time I adored, put his head in the water and began swimming, like a fish- free-style- with all his might. It was as though the gun had just gone off and there was a race to the finish and he wanted to win! WHOA! The dad, lifeguard, brother, me….no one said a word. No looks were exchanged. The dad just quickly got back to yelling at his kid. “Go! Go!”

That little exchange happened in a window of no more than 25 seconds.

I turned around and began walking back to my spot. I could feel the onlookers staring at me. I imagined they were wondering, who is this woman and what did she just do? No one asked. I didn’t say a word. I didn’t enter into some chatty discussion with them. I just went back to my reading, something lite, something about…”When God whispers to you…”

Yes. Once again a small gesture and a small pewter heart touched a life in a small way- a little boys heart, by letting him know he wasn’t alone. That he was seen. That he was believed in. Yeah. A heart. A small pewter heart, combined with a small gesture.

Of course I sat there and wondered what that whole scene was all about. My first thought was that the dad was making him swim/get exercise because he was chubby. Seeing the size of the dad though, I quickly hoped there was no truth to that. What I did hope was this: That the dad saw potential in his son and his swimming ability. That the dad was holding a bar for him to stretch and reach, knowing he was capable. Maybe his dad knew his son needed some tough love and pushing, so to move beyond what he thought he was capable of doing.

Yes, I have a creative mind who loves to make up stories. So the story I made up? I envisioned this young man – 10 years down the road. He will be standing proudly, at the Olympics, having received his first Gold medal– in swimming. He will be interviewed and the son will thank his dad for having pushed and believed in him, for holding a high bar, especially when he wanted to quit.

My made-up story ended with: After thanking his dad, he would add- “And I want to thank the kind woman who spread a heart to me in Lake Michigan many years ago. I couldn’t have done it without her.”

SMILE.

I was sharing this story with Caroline, who is my trainer for the summer. She added her own rendition to it: “I see this kid swimming in the ocean in Hawaii five years from now, and he gets sucked under water in an undertow….As he begins to panic he hears his dad’s voice in his head, screaming, “SWIM – you can do it! You can’t quit! SWIM.” And the boy swims with all his might. And he survives.
I liked that story too! We concluded it with: While under the current swimming for his life a picture also flashes in his mind about that summer day in Lake Michigan when that beautiful woman, with a gorgeous tan, cute bathing suit and ‘body by Caroline’….. gave him a small pewter heart, and that his life has never the same.

What are the Learns and Grows here?
1. Pay attention to life around you. Listen and be aware when you feel a nudge to ACT, to reach out, to make a difference. Don’t over think these nudges and second guess yourself. Allow your heart to lead the way. Life is too short to sit and always make a pro’s and con’s lists. Sure there is a time and place for that – like selecting what college you want to attend, or if you should marry a certain guy or girl. If it pertains to spreading some love? Just do it!

2. Always carry small pewter hearts around with you, so you too can spread them. Really – your life will never be the same. You will keep your eyes off yourself, and instead – focus outward, looking for opportunities to put a smile on someones face- to touch their heart! Nice!

3. For those of you who have purchased and are now joining the spreading hearts movement – thank you! And please, inspire others and share your stories here! Melissa, Kelsey, Marc, Susan, Jeanie, Jeanne, Allison, Erin, Christine, Kathryn, Skip, Carrie, Linda, Myra, Jane, Sheri, Joy, Gina, Annabella, Candice, Sue, Emily, Nicole, Kathy, Kamryn, Kelley, Gabriella, Kim, Steve, Bob, Jennifer, Jitske, Barry, Michael, MODs, DOMS ….ETC!!
(Or email them to me at: jm@jeannemalnati.com.)

3.If you are given an idea, a nudge or a whisper that you know deep inside you are to take action on, something that will be a value-add, that might help to change the world (or your family or neighborhood!) and/or touch a single person in a positive way, DO something with the idea. Go after it. Ask a friend or one of your kids to help see your idea/dream/mission come true! That’s what I did with my two daughters! (See the first couple blog posts to learn how Spreading Hearts began).

Spreading Hearts is growing organically. There is no big push here. We are not “marketing” this idea. I know it’s a movement that God chose us to begin. It’s not our movement – it’s everybody’s!! We had 8000 small pewter hearts made. (We did this after giving several hundreds of dollars to Robert Redford!) We sell the hearts at a minimal price so to cover our cost, (and yes, we plan to raise the cost some day soon, so to make money and give it away). Our main goal is to have hearts spread throughout the world. Adding a smile and some good-will to a person’s day. That’s it. (As my mentor Lisa Sasevich (Lisasasevich.com) says: KISS – Keep It Simple Sweetheart)!

And yes, that the word would get out and that people would be excited to join the movement and spread hearts. Cool! Thank you!!

I promise – if you keep your heart focused up, and out, – yours too will be tenderized!

Thanks for reading.

Bless you all.
We’d love if you would sign up to follow us on this blog. Would you? We invite you to. I know there are lots of people reading the blog. Thanks! Please know that comments and feedback are always welcome.

This is a happy end-of-summer heart I’m spreading to you. September 1 is the day after tomorrow. Go for a Clean Slate on your eating. Join me.
Until then, I’m enjoying my chips and diet coke.