To the New Heart Mom: A Letter of Hope, Strength, and Unwavering Support
Dear New Heart Mom,
I know in this very moment, it feels like your world has come to a standstill. I can only imagine the shock, fear, and disbelief you’re feeling, as the life you knew was abruptly turned upside down. You’ve been blindsided by a storm, one you never saw coming, and in the midst of the whirlwind, it’s hard to find your footing. Everything seems unfamiliar, overwhelming, and terrifying.
It’s easy to feel lost, broken, and full of uncertainty right now. You might be questioning how to move forward, how to face the unknown. But I’m here to tell you that
But please, hear me when I say this: You are not alone.
It may feel as though the storm is all-encompassing, that the weight of it is too much to bear, but if you reach out—just stretch out your hand—you’ll find an entire community of moms, dads, family members, and heart warriors who have been through this and are here to stand beside you. We are here, waiting with open arms to hold you up when you feel like you can’t stand on your own. We are here to listen when you have questions, to help calm your fears, and to lend you our strength when your own feels exhausted.
Some of us walked this journey years ago, others of us just yesterday. But the beauty of this community is that, no matter where we are in our own stories, we are all united in this fight. We’ve been where you are right now—feeling helpless, scared, and unsure—and we are here to offer you our unwavering support. We understand the pain, the anxiety, the love that is pouring from your heart, and we know how difficult this path can be.
We’re here to help carry the burden, to answer your questions, to reassure you that you’re not alone in the moments when the darkness feels like it’s closing in. And most importantly, we’re here to remind you of the strength you didn’t even know you had inside you. You are stronger than you realize, and you have a whole army behind you, ready to fight with you for your little heart warrior.
You may feel like everything has been taken from you—like this diagnosis has stolen so much from you, from your family, and from your dreams. But here’s the truth: Your heart warrior will give you more.
The storm you are in may be fierce and unpredictable. It will shake you to your core. There will be moments when you question everything you know—your faith, your ability to keep going, your hope. And that’s okay. It’s okay to be uncertain, to wonder how you’ll make it through.
But in those moments, I want you to remember this: You will never face this journey alone. Even when it feels like the weight of it all is too much to bear, reach out. The arms of this community, full of heart moms and dads who understand, will be there to hold you, to support you, and to remind you that you don’t have to walk this road by yourself.
We are here to lend you our strength. We are here to offer you our love. And when the days feel heavy, we are here to walk with you, to keep you grounded, to be the shoulder you need to cry on, and the ear you need to listen.
In the darkest moments, when you feel like the storm will never end, I want you to remember one thing: We’ve got you.
Together, we are stronger than the storm. Together, we are unbreakable. Together, we will fight, we will heal, and we will keep going—one step at a time.
Your heart warrior is already a fighter, and so are you. You are brave beyond measure, even if you don’t feel like it right now. The love you have for your child, the strength you’re about to tap into, will carry you through this journey, no matter how challenging it may be.
So please, remember this—You are not alone. The storm will test you, but it will also reveal your inner strength, and the strength of the community that surrounds you. Reach out when you need us. Lean on us when you feel weary. We are here, and we’re not going anywhere.
We believe in you, in your heart warrior, and in the power of love that will get you through. You’ve got this. Together, we are stronger than the storm.
Maria’s Mission: Feeding 300 Stray Dogs With Love and a Bicycle
Every morning in Panaji, Goa, the quiet hum of bicycle wheels signals the start of something extraordinary. At 55 years old, Maria Gomes pedals through the narrow streets with determination, balancing sacks of rice and chicken that together weigh more than 30 kilos. Her destination is not a market stall or a family kitchen. It is the sidewalks, alleys, and open grounds where more than 300 stray dogs wait for her—tails wagging, ears perked, eyes filled with recognition.
For Maria, this has become her life’s purpose. What began as small acts of kindness years ago has grown into a daily mission of compassion. She knows each dog by name, remembers their favorite spots, and treats them as if they were her own children. To her, they are not nameless strays; they are individuals who deserve care, affection, and dignity.
The work is not easy. The sacks she carries weigh heavy on her shoulders, and the costs of feeding so many mouths could overwhelm anyone. But Maria’s strength is rooted in something deeper than convenience or comfort. “Compassion is not charity,” she says quietly. “It is purpose.” That belief pushes her forward, day after day, through the heat, through the rains, through the exhaustion that sometimes lingers in her bones.
For the dogs, Maria is more than a provider of food. She is safety. She is love. When she appears, they rush to her, not only for the meals she brings but for the gentle touch of her hand, the sound of her voice calling them by name. Many of these animals have known hunger, neglect, or cruelty. In Maria, they find tenderness and belonging.
Neighbors often stop to watch the sight—dozens of dogs surrounding a woman who treats them with the kind of attention most people reserve only for pets within their homes. Some smile in admiration, others shake their heads in disbelief. But Maria does not waver. For her, this work is not about recognition. It is about doing what her heart knows to be right.
Her mission is sustained by small acts of generosity from those who hear her story and choose to help. Some donate food, some contribute money, and some simply offer words of encouragement. Each gesture reminds Maria that kindness, like the meals she prepares, multiplies when shared. Yet even when support is scarce, she continues, determined to show that true humanity is measured not by wealth or status, but by the way we treat the most vulnerable among us.
The bond between Maria and her dogs is profound. She sees the gratitude in their eyes, the way they follow her as far as they can before she pedals on. She feels it when they nuzzle against her or when once-fearful dogs finally learn to trust her touch. These moments, she says, are worth more than anything the world could offer.
In a society where strays are often overlooked, Maria stands as a quiet force of change. Her work is a reminder that compassion is not abstract. It is tangible, measured in bowls of rice, in wagging tails, in the healing of wounds both visible and unseen.
Her story carries a lesson for all of us. We cannot save every life, but we can make a difference in the lives we encounter. We can choose to act with love, even when no one is watching. We can choose, as Maria has, to live with purpose that extends beyond ourselves.
As she pedals home after another long day, the weight on her bicycle is lighter, but her heart is full. Behind her, more than 300 dogs settle with full bellies and the comfort of knowing that tomorrow, their guardian will return.
In the quiet rhythm of her daily journey, Maria Gomes shows us that true humanity is not found in grand gestures, but in the steady, selfless acts of love that make the world kinder—one meal, one dog, one day at a time.
