The Pink Paper Heart

Hi my dear friend,

A mother's day card was staring at me. 
I had already walked past it once before. 
But now it was hypnotising me. 
Pulling me closer and closer. 

Until I was standing 
right in front of it.

What do you want from me?
I don't have a mother to 
give you anymore.

But it kept looking.

A dusty pink heart, 
with scalloped edges. 
This beautiful card that
I would have loved to fill in 
for my mother.

But she wasn't here.

So of course I didn't need it. 
I really didn't need it.

And yet… 
I couldn't help 
but pay for it and 
take it home. 

Simply because 
it made me think 
of her.

But as soon as I 
walked through the front door, 
my daughter saw it and fell in love 
with it too.

Mom, isn't this the most 
perfect card for you?
It just feels so much… 
like you.

And I already know 
what to draw in it.
Can I please give this 
to you?

Huh.

I thought I was the one 
missing my mom. 

But maybe she was there too, 
in that shop, 
nudging me toward 
a pink paper heart… 

Knowing exactly 
where it would 
end up.

With love,
Elina Janevica

Artwork / British School, “Picking buttercups” (fragment), 19th century / personal collection