Matters Of The Heart

"My heart hurts."

I said.

"It stings. It's shattered. It's broken." 

I declared.

"I hear you." 

My friend whispered with a tender smile.

"Well, I don't like it!"

I frowned like the brat that I am.

She then moved in closer, stared straight into my soul and said:

"But darling, the heart isn't supposed to be whole.
It is made of a million tiny pieces. Like the fabric of your life, sewn together. Or a puzzle made of all your different experiences and memories. When a part is missing, it feels like it is broken, I know. And that it won't ever heal again. But darling, the heart needs to be in pieces - some are open, honest, loving, and some are challenged by the world, or furious at it. Some are playful and curious at what life has to offer, and some want to hide in their shell until the storm passes through.
Let your heart be broken, darling. That is how it will grow stronger. That is how it will heal."

And I curled in her arms for a hug. 

And I felt a piece of my heart getting stronger. 

And my heart healed.

And it felt whole again.

But only for a little while...Until I turned on the news. Sigh.