Day 36 - Linda and Sue. The mums.

I made these hearts especially. At half past midnight last night. I knew I was going to meet - or at least be in the same room as - two women who'd both lost their sons. Who share a deep bond due to the fact that one, Sue, had made the tough decision to give away the organs of her dead 15 year old boy, and that one, Linda, had seen her 15  year old boy live because of it.

I got all teary every time I thought about their story, which our good friend Cole has told so eloquently through a radio play and a newly published book: The Boy Who Gave His Heart Away. We were going to join him for his book launch at Waterstones in Trafalgar Square and I knew The Mums would be there.

I wanted to make them a heart each. I flustered between wanting to make it beautiful, but then feeling like the 'recycled' odd shaped, and slightly vulnerable, ones would be better. More appropriate. But as I thought about it I felt it would be better with the 'shiny' ones... a symbol of those hearts loved and given and lost - no longer frail and useless, perhaps, but symbolising forever a courageous gift, a beautiful thing, a lasting and precious bond of friendship between two women. Two mums. Two grieving mums.

I felt silly giving it to Sue, really. Didn't want to draw attention to myself, felt small in the shadow of her humility 'We're just ordinary people. Just normal mums'. Yes! That's why I want to honour you in such a small way - you're just like me. Normal mums who would have done anything to save their sons. And the rest of us never know if we will ever have to walk their road. We have to savour it all while we can. Linda's grief is rawer, with her boy only just gone these last 6 months. Though of course Sue had to relieve all her grief again as her boy's heart died then too. So I just caught her as she was out of the door, and mumbled that Sue would have to explain why I gave them both a slightly childish looking crafty heart. She hugged me graciously anyway. Perhaps grateful for the kindness and care of strangers? I hope so.

I hope tonight was in some way a good part of their hard journey. I'm sure it was hard. But perhaps in the telling of the stories of these two sons they will find their memory is honoured. Neil told me later that Cole gave both families total veto on what he wrote. Good job Cole.