What tugs at your heartstrings?

[garinda]

Was going to title this thread 'What melts your heart?'

Same thing. I suppose.

Hope you understand what I mean.

It can be anything.

Anything at all.

Anyway, this is what happened today, which tugged at my heartstrings, and got me thinking about it.

I've never really been shy, especially when it comes to speaking in public.

(No suprise to people that know me.)

School, church, work. I was always the first to volunteer.

Be it to read a poem at Speech Day, the Bible lesson from the pulpit, or selling some idea to a room full of suits.

It's not about attention seeking. I know it's something I can do well. People will always hear me. I try to give light, shade, and spacing, to make what I'm saying interesting to the ear.

It's not something I do much anymore. The odd Parkinson's conference, the occasional talk to art students.

Wasn't a speech today. Just a few words about what needed sharing, and then reading out a letter, to a room of no more than fifty people.

It's the only time I have a really noticable shake, when stood up talking. Not nerves. Just a freaky thing that happens.

I always try and project my voice. Waste of time, mumbling, if no one can hear you.

So, look up, remember, you're talking to people, not just a room with four walls.

Reading the letter, eyes scanning the faces of the people listening.

Momentarily, my eyes locked on one other person's.

An odd, big, almost forced smile, masking what could have been lips that really wanted to quiver.

Eyes, not crying, but filled to the brim, with tears that wouldn't be allowed to fall.

Was literally just a millisecond. A brief moment of time.

Without any words being passed.

That momentary glance told me...

'I've loved you since I first held you in my arms, and showed you to your Dad. I'm as proud of you stood there today, trying your best, just as you did when you first read the lesson in church, when we could hardly see the top of your head over the altar. You're still my little lad, and I love you son.'

As I say, we aren't a sloppy family. Believing love is an act you show. Not something you make a big song and dance about saying, and not really meaning.

One little passing glance.

Tugged at my heartstrings, and helped me appreciate how blessed, and lucky I am.

So, what tugs at your heartstrings, fills your heart with gladness, melts your heart, brings a lump to your throat?

Can be anything.

Doesn't need to be like all this waffle, the cheap birthday card guff, I've just come out with.

[garinda]

Though I really should have worn those glasses, they say I need now.

Mum was in the kitchen, brewing up.

God knows who it was sat there in the Town Hall today, listening to me drone on.

Bored to tears.

[cashman]

With me its always been just ordinary people being crapped on.

[garinda]

Originally Posted by cashman

With me its always been just ordinary people being crapped on.

How can you say something so profound, in such few words, and I write a thousand, which don't put it anywhere near as beautifully?

[cashman]

Originally Posted by garinda

How can you say something so profound, in such few words, and I write a thousand, which don't put it anywhere near as beautifully?

Been called many things in me time mate, never profound.

[mobertol]

Originally Posted by cashman

With me its always been just ordinary people being crapped on.

Most eloquent Olly...just a few words.

Usually it's Garinda who manages that -not in this case...but i fully understand why, as they say in Italy " La mamma é una sola"

I will try to be succinct:

For me it is the thought of those who i love who are far away...

[Margaret Pilkington]

The ill treatment of beings...human or animal.
I just cannot understand how anyone can ill treat a donkey....can look into its eyes and not see the suffering.
The same with dogs. An RSPCA advert used to move me to tears......the one where an old dog was tied up in a shambolic excuse for a garden in the cold an pouring rain.....yes, I do know it was only an advert....and yes, it was meant to grab me by the heart and rattle coins or notes out of me.

Ill treatment of elderly people/people who cannot speak for themselves(those with learning difficulties) makes my heart bleed. Tell me, does it make someone stronger to misuse and ill treat a weaker member of society? Does the power they wield give them some sort of 'kick'?
I don't know. But I hope that Karma is doled out to them and that in the quiet moments of their day...or in the darkness of their night, it comes and pokes them in the ribs.

[mobertol]

Just had a message from a friend which has had that effect...happiness and sadness combined almost made my heart break...

[Michael1954]

Mum saying to me that when I was a little boy she looked after me, and now things have changed it is me looking after her. Our lives changed forever in 2009.

[garinda]

Originally Posted by Michael1954

Mum saying to me that when I was a little boy she looked after me, and now things have changed it is me looking after her.

That's as it should be.

Heartbreaking for those who never get the chance.

[jedimaster]

memories of what once was and that will never be again. A little selfish I suppose but that's not only the nature of depression but also the fuel to it's fire.

[garinda]

Originally Posted by Margaret Pilkington

The ill treatment of beings...human or animal.
I just cannot understand how anyone can ill treat a donkey....can look into its eyes and not see the suffering.
The same with dogs. An RSPCA advert used to move me to tears......the one where an old dog was tied up in a shambolic excuse for a garden in the cold an pouring rain.....yes, I do know it was only an advert....and yes, it was meant to grab me by the heart and rattle coins or notes out of me.

Ill treatment of elderly people/people who cannot speak for themselves(those with learning difficulties) makes my heart bleed. Tell me, does it make someone stronger to misuse and ill treat a weaker member of society? Does the power they wield give them some sort of 'kick'?
I don't know. But I hope that Karma is doled out to them and that in the quiet moments of their day...or in the darkness of their night, it comes and pokes them in the ribs.

You're right.

Not religious.

But eyes are the gateway to the soul, or whatever you want to call it.

Be it man, or beast.

[Michael1954]

Originally Posted by garinda

That's as it should be.

Heartbreaking for those who never get the chance.

Oh so true.

[garinda]

Originally Posted by jedimaster

memories of what once was and that will never be again. A little selfish I suppose but that's not only the nature of depression but also the fuel to it's fire.

Nothing wrong with being selfish.

They're your memories.

To do with what you wish.

But which I hope make smile.

[Margaret Pilkington]

Originally Posted by garinda

That's as it should be.

Heartbreaking for those who never get the chance.

I second that.