Hope And Joy

Hope and Joy

Hope and Joy

In recognition of the International Day of Charity (5 September), I want to shine a light on a very special charity in Edinburgh, Scotland - Hearts & Minds.

I first learned about Hearts & Minds through the advocacy of the remarkable and indelibly special Phyllis Logan, who although I have never met her, has had a profound impact on my life. After learning about Hearts & Minds, and the extraordinary work they do through their Elderflower program, helping those with dementia, my heart was so full and I have sought to help and support them in every way possible.

My dear mother suffered through Alzheimer's Disease, while I was her carer. Where we lived, there was no program like Hearts & Minds to be a blessing and light for my mom...and I wish there had been.

Hope and joy are emotions so vital, yet often so fleeting for those with dementia and their carers and loved ones. Someone coming alongside, shining a light of hope, and sharing joy, is a blessing and moment of sustenance that can birth a smile, lift the spirit, and bring comfort and encouragement to the heart. Such is the amazing and uplifting work of Hearts & Minds and the joy and smiles brought by their Elderflowers into so many hearts and lives.

I am grateful for, and inspired by, the amazing work of Hearts & Minds and all that they do to bring joy and light to so many. And I am eternally inspired by Phyllis Logan, whose life, work, advocacy efforts and kindness are a light in this world.

On this day of charity, and always, may we all try and do our bit, shine a light, and pay kindness forward.

Please support the extraordinary, uplifting work of Hearts & Minds and their Elderflower program as they bring hope and joy to countless lives:

www.heartsminds.org.uk

❤️☀️❤️

-- Michelle Lindsey www.michellelindalindsey.com

Thank you to the news outlets and blogs who cross-posted this (and also my accompanying blog on Medium) to their blogs, charity feeds, and social media. Thank you for helping spread the word about this very special and impactful charity. ❤️

Hope and joy. Emotions so vital and often so fleeting when caring for a loved one with Dementia or Alzheimer's. Memories of our years with our loved ones, before these tragic diseases took over their minds and bodies, fall at our feet like shards of broken glass. Temporary moments of hope and joy seem like fragile slivers of light shining through the cracks of broken hearts. But sometimes, someone comes along and carries with them the light, hope and joy to brighten a day, birth a smile, lift the spirit, and bring comfort and encouragement to the heart. Such is the amazing and uplifting work of Hearts and Minds and the joy and smiles brought by the Elderflowers into so many hearts and lives. Spreading light and joy, something seemingly so simple, yet one of the most extraordinary gifts you can give. Spreading light and joy is something that Phyllis Logan does continuously and the smiles that she, and her Flora Elderflower, bring to countless souls are like rays of sunshine. Please donate to this very special event - Hearts and Minds 4 Flora - and support the incredible work of Hearts and Minds, and their Elderflower program, and help them as they spread smiles and make a difference. And may we strive always to be like Phyllis, and all the amazing Elderflowers, and shine our light into all the dark corners and bless and improve lives one smile at a time. Share smiles. Share joy. Share hope. Support Hearts and Minds and participate in the Hearts and Minds 4 Flora raffle and fundraising event!

❤️☀️❤️

https://fundraising.heartsminds.org.uk/fundraising/HM4F2022

#Phyllis Logan #heartsandminds4flora #heartsandmindsuk #dementia #Elderflowers #charity #fundraiser #raffle #Downton Abbey

So…I did a thing. I have written a little fan fic item. Professionally, I am a writer, but I have never written fan fiction before and am quite intimidated. All of you Downton fan fic writers are truly and utterly remarkable. I am in awe of your extraordinary writing, creativity, passion, and story-telling gifts. I feel like I am intruding, and treading on hallowed ground, by attempting to contribute something of my own. It really isn't a story but rather an atmospheric vignette, entitled "This Love". I was inspired yesterday to craft it, and my agent would have an aneurysm (and then issue an ultimatum), if she knew I was taking time away from editing my novel to work on something else. 😂 When inspiration beckons however… 😉 If you read it, I hope you like it. And I thank you for allowing me to (briefly) trespass into your amazing and creative world. My deepest respect and admiration to all fan fic writers. Love. ❤️

WRITE  FOR  UKRAINE  

🇺🇦🌻🇺🇦

We all have a voice. A powerful, extraordinary tool for making a difference and helping others. 

If you are a writer, or someone who would like to contribute your voice to aid the people of Ukraine, please visit Write for Ukraine - my Ukrainian humanitarian advocacy project - www.WriteForUkraine.org .

You can read more about the initiative, as well as locate links to further help the people of Ukraine. You can also read my short story supporting Ukraine, "Where the Sunflowers Grow".

🇺🇦🌻🇺🇦

www.WriteForUkraine.org

On this International Day of Charity, my sweet baby Bogart wants to advocate for the animal shelter I adopted him from - the amazing Saint Francis Animal Center in Georgetown, South Carolina. Along with their charity veterinary clinic, they do extraordinary work rescuing animals and finding them loving homes. Please consider supporting their life-changing work. 🐶❤️🐾

My baby Bogart ❤️