2015 Heels and Wheels

The Wells Fargo Heels and Wheels Duathlon is a fundraising event to support nonprofit organizations. Listening Hearts will be one of the recipients of this worthy cause.

Walkers, runners, bikers and their supporters will gather on Saturday, April 18, at Johnson University Campus in Knoxville. Activities include a Fun Walk and lunch, in addition to the athletic event: a 5K run/18K bike ride/3K run. Currently, five Listening Hearts moms and supporters have registered to participate in one or more of the duathlon activities. We extend a BIG THANK YOU to our generous supporters, thus far! Your contributions have allowed us to be in THIRD PLACE in fundraising among all the organizations participating. With your continued support, we can make it to FIRST PLACE! All funds raised will help us achieve our vision to be a supportive community for bereaved moms with a focus on compassion and hope. The Fun Walk provides a leisurely pace; the 5K and 3K runs are enjoyable but quicker paced runs; and the full duathlon challenges our fitness (the run and bike segments can be split up by several team members, or one individual can do every portion)! There is a category for everyone!

Let Go vs. Let Tightly

Friends and family too
Have said to let go,
Move on with my life
These words fill me with anger,

I’ve let go of enough, I think
My son’s physical body and presence,
I had nothing more important,
More loved, or more cherished,

People never having known such loss
Think that they can offer wisdom,
What do they know?
Is this what they think they would do?

I have news for all
I choose to hold on,
Forgetting has become a fear like I have never known
He’s not going to be here to remind me,

I cling to the past with my arms, my heart, and my head wrapped tightly
Around every memory, every smell, every sound, and sight,
There will not be new ones made today
As I ponder those I’ve stored,

See, I have my quota of memories
I gathered them like sweet flowers for nineteen years,
I can’t allow one to slip away now
I may never get it back,

Give me time to get my memories
In a safe and secure place,
Then maybe I can hold them a little less tightly
But, please, don’t ever ask me to let go.

Sawyer’s Mom
Tracy Bradshaw
2/1/15

Silent Cries

There are times in my life when my heart
cries out so loud for you
That I cringe,
Wondering what others might think
And then I realize
That only I can hear the screams.
They are a part of me,
Like the blood rushing through my veins
And the breath leaving my lungs.

Love Gifts

Your tax-deductible donations make it possible to reach out to other grieving mothers through group gatherings, special programs, our website, and social media networks.

Donations can be made securely through PayPal on our website, https://listeningheartsmoms.org/donate, at any gathering, or by mail at 120 Huskey Valley Road; Seymour, TN 37865.