Heart of Haiti. Mother’s Day and the special women in our lives.

Heart of Haiti is a beautiful cause that I posted about a few months ago. I’d like to share with you a story and a special discount for Mother’s Day.

With Mother’s Day looming near, I’ve been thinking a lot about my own mom who passed away in 2003. She was a beautiful, petite woman with a heart of gold and an Irish temper to rival no others. :0) She loved deeply and taught me to love and respect others.

My mom and I didn’t always get along. Like many teenagers, I tried to rebel against her. But in the midst of my teenage years she was diagnosed with end stage cervical cancer. The sicker she got, the more she tried to push everyone away. We argued and bickered but I could see what she was doing so I never went too far away from her. Then she beat it! She beat that awful, evil disease. The radiation therapy wreaked havoc on her tiny little body and even though she lived 9 more years, it was that therapy that finally claimed her life.

Those 9 years were wonderful though. She attended my graduation, planned my wedding and my baby shower and she stood by my side during 15 hours of intense labor when I had our first child, our son. She was with me throughout my pregnancy with our first daughter too and one month later, she was gone. During those 9 years we bonded in a way I never imagined possible. She helped me see that even when on deaths door, I have to fight. I have to look beyond the pain and beyond grief and move ahead. I have to keep my faith in God and never ever stop praying. She taught me to always give back to those who help me and to God who answers my prayers.

That is how my mom helped me and I pray I can give that same fight, love and devotion to my own children.

Heart of Haiti is about giving back and my mom is one of the reasons I am extremely proud to share this cause with you.

ABOUT THE HEART OF HAITI PROJECT
The Heart of Haiti Project is an initiative founded by Willa Shalit (daughter of Gene Shalit) and her company, Fairwinds Trading, a for-profit company that uses business as a strategy for economic empowerment of people, especially women, in the Majority World. The Majority World is where two billion of the world’s three billion people live, in poverty.

Through a partnership with Macy’s and their Shop For A Better World’ initiative, Heart of Haiti offers artisan-crafted decorative arts and jewelry for sale. All income derived from sales of the products on the Heart of Haiti site enhances an artisan’s family’s nutrition, educates children, and brings access to healthcare and dignity.

For additional information on Fair Winds visit: http://www.fairwindstrading.com/
To view the Shop for a Better World / Heart Of Haiti collection in it’s entirety (including just added items for Spring), visit: http://bit.ly/gaalFP

Here is a special 15% off Heart of Haiti and Rwanda Path to Peace products discount for you to use when purchasing a Mother’s Day gift from the HOH collection.
Promocode: CLEVERGIRLS

Timeframe: 5/3 – 5/8
- To view the Shop for a Better World / Heart Of Haiti collection in it’s entirety (including just added items for Spring), visit:http://bit.ly/gaalFP

Tell me about a special woman in your life. I’d love to hear your stories!

God bless you all and Happy Mother’s Day!

I was selected for this very special “CleverHaiti” opportunity by Clever Girls Collective, which endorses Blog With Integrity. All opinions are my own.