Heart-to-Heart

Catering Services Administrator, Alison Walker, has worked for St John of God Murdoch since 1998. Over the years, she has shared with her sister Denise what has been happening around the Hospital.

“Denise has always been in touch with Murdoch in some way or another,” she said.

“The connection has been myself working at the Hospital, and she gave birth to her twins Bridget and Regan 21 years ago at Murdoch.”

About a year ago, Alison mentioned to Denise that she had been making fabric hearts for the Pastoral Care department, who extend these little tokens to provide comfort to patients and their families in times of need.

“When a patient suffers loss and is sorrowful, for example such as in miscarriage, a small soft heart is provided,” Mary from Pastoral Care said.

“It is such a small gesture, and in no way can replace the hole that grief leaves. However, it is a tangible gift that is received by patients in the knowledge that they are cared for.

“A white heart placed on a father’s chest when it is time to say goodbye.

A sweet heart with a cat print to soothe a young daughter’s grief. A soft felt heart held tight and turned over for comfort in a time of turmoil.

A heart held as a connection to something greater.

A heart taken to remember a loved one

A soft felt heart to soothe an aching heart

A heart given to be reminded of being loved and held.”

So much thought and feeling is put into the hearts when they are made. They are hand sewn and much more than just fabric. They bring meaning, joy, and peace to many of our patients.

“To know that someone has lovingly toiled to create them only adds to how impactful the hearts are,” Mary said.

“We are so grateful for the love and time that goes into these small but incredibly significant contributions to our patient’s wellbeing.”

Hearing about this very heartwarming gesture provided by our Pastoral Care team, Denise was eager to help out.

“A year or so ago, I put out a call to see if she and her daughter Bridget would like to do the hearts,” Alison said.

“The hearts gave them an opportunity to chat and sew together and for Denise to connect with her daughter. It gave time to be present with each other, and to talk about the day’s events as they stitched.”

Alison said what resinated with Denise was how a simple the project was, and the beautiful meaning behind the symbol – to bring comfort to a patient and remind them they are not alone.

“Over the years, I would relay back stories I had heard,” Alison added.

“Recently, one our Ward Host caregivers who was aware we do the hearts saw a patient holding one and it was evident how much it meant to them.”

At the end of May, Denise and her daughter donated a massive 500 hearts to Murdoch’s Pastoral Care team to bless and then give out to those who may need a little bit of comfort.

“Denise said that making the hearts really gives more back to her as a person,” Alison commented.

“It also shows we are all a part of the Murdoch family, which extends pass the caregivers.”

For more information on the soft hearts, contact our Pastoral Care team on 9438 9680.