By Heart

What do you know by heart? Memorizing texts is an educational practice that has seemingly gone out of fashion. Yet "knowing by heart" is still a core practice for many of us.

For some, knowing by heart means learning how to live in community even when community members are far apart. Knowing by heart can shorten the distance between two people. Knowing by heart can strengthen bonds between those who share a kindred spirt yet haven't yet met.

Our HOTT Crew will be knowing by heart next Sunday when we participate in, and volunteer to work for, the 30th Annual AIDS Walk Boston (http://action.aac.org/site/TR/Events/AWB08?pg=entry&fr_id=1170) Even though we don't know many of those on the receiving end of the generosity of AIDS Action, we nonetheless know them by heart.

And there are those such as Winnie Blagdon of Sheffield, England (below) who, upon turning 100 years old TODAY without having any living relatives, received over 16,000 birthday cards (including one from The Queen!) from people who only know her by heart.

We think knowing by heart is highly underrated, and invite you to join with us next Sunday as we participate in the AIDS Walk Boston. Or by connecting more deeply with someone you cherish and treasure. Or by connecting with someone knew and digging deeper into this "thing" called living in community.

Location: Green Line at Arlington
Imagined Profession: Community Organizer
Photographer: FT