By Natalie Bryant-Rizzieri | Founder & Executive Director
Dear friends and supporters -
Here is an excerpt from our 2010 Annual Report. To read more and to see the full report, please open the attachment.
A letter from the founder
This year I was present for both Anahit’s and Davit’s birthday celebrations. Anahit and Davit received gifts from the staff. For both occasions, there was a beautiful layered, homemade cake on the table. And instead of a candle, we had sparklers!
It is a tradition at Warm Hearth that everyone present speaks their wishes for whomever we are celebrating. I heard both whispers and confident toasts as Anahit and Davit were wished long lives, much love, and for their respective dreams to come true.
Almost always, the one who is celebrated sheds a few tears. They are tears of joy, for the most part. But, does not every joy carry with it a bit of longing that almost feels like sadness? I wonder if they long for the love of their families so acutely in those moments.
Do they think of the loneliness they have carried with them most of their lives? Or, do they think of the friendship that now belongs to them?
At the first birthday celebration after Warm Hearth opened, I remember wondering if that resident might break open from so much joy, from so much wonder. I wondered: should we not celebrate so vibrantly? Should we tame the celebrations for their sake?
I do not think a person can be given too much love. So, I believe the answer is no. Celebrate vibrantly! Shower them with blessing. And one day, they might realize how worthy of celebration they really are. One day - when their celebrations at Warm Hearth outnumber the previous ones and their stories are re-read to include lifelong love.
Sincerely Yours,
Natalie Bryant-Rizzieri
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