This isn’t my story. This tale belongs to my best friend Mindy (that’s her above). Or, no. This anecdote of inspiration belongs to a woman who found an ingenious way to purge her pain with a heart-shaped piñata. But, then there are others who have been touched by her actions, too. So, maybe this story belongs to everyone with a broken heart. I’ll just start with Mindy, though, because that’s how I first became aware of the ex jewelry piñata in Valentine, Texas that’s helping a woman with overcoming heartbreak.
(Note: Mindy’s Instagram profile is set to private, which doesn’t allow for embedding, but I have her permission to share her photos and words.)
It starts like this: Mindy was having a family vacation onboard an RV exploring West Texas. Being the stylish, hip, curious creature that she is, Mindy had Prada Marfa on the itinerary. It was there at the sculpture that she encountered what she describes as a thoughtful, amazing badass.
On Valentine’s Day, Mindy texted our close-knit group of friends from the road:
So we just arrived to Prada Marfa and this girl from California was taking pictures of a heart piñata. As she was driving away in her RV she said, ‘Please take one thing from my broken heart and make it yours…the jewelry is from my ex,’ and drove off. On top was a little clear bag tied with a piece of jewelry. Told the next few people who arrived as we left to do the same. What an adventure we have had. And I got jewelry from a stranger on Valentine’s! I plan to IG and hashtag it soon with the info she left on the card. Struggling to post to IG based on where we are. Cool, huh?
The included card read:
Inside this heart you will find treasure, reach inside for your pleasure. Don’t feel bad about what you take I’m offering it to you for goodness sake! You’ll find rings, necklaces, and candy too. The jewelry was mine from an ex but is now for you! Love is for those that will use it, remember not to abuse it. Show someone love today!
We were, of course, impressed with this sudden, unexpected event and happy for our dear friend that she scored a piece of jewelry for herself. The ring she selected is just SO her.
From the road, Mindy was unable to share her adventure on Instagram and Facebook, but once she got home and could connect to Wi-Fi, here’s what she was finally able to post, along with the four above photos:
What began as a photo in front of an iconic art display…became a different kind of love story. To the girl in the RV with the California plates. When we arrived, you were alone and taking pictures of a pink piñata heart. I imagined it was a memorial so waited and gave you your space. As we walked to the display you stopped your RV headed north and encouraged us to read the card and reach into the broken heart. I love that on Valentine’s Day, I stumbled across a path of a woman who was on a journey. That no matter what he did, or didn’t do, or said or forgot or what you realized…that you choose to live and love yourself. I love that you considered sharing something that brought you either pain or anger or whatever emotion…that you choose to share that and make it a gift for others. I love that you chose a day of love, to love yourself. And I love the delicately wrapped raw ring that lay inside. We told the next few people who arrived, and I know you brought joy to an older couple as she pulled out candy hearts and he dream catcher earrings as we left. #exjewelrypinata #pradamarfa #valentines2018
A quick visit of #exjewlerypinata on Instagram, and it looks like someone else also scored big, showcasing a video slideshow of her discovery. Read the caption, and you’ll see that this Instagram user and ex jewelry piñata beneficiary left behind her own necklace for someone else to enjoy.
Eventually, we tracked down the badass who found a beautiful, generous, and creative way to mend her broken heart. After some stalking, I’ve ascertained her name is Emily.
I’ve written about my own lovelorn heart, including the time I mistook obsession for love and the time I mistook gratitude for love. My heart is resilient, but it heals at a snail’s pace. I find inspiration in what Emily has done. She exemplifies the healthiness of letting go, a skill I struggle to acquire.
Heartbreak, disappointment, and betrayal suck. When the person you love stops loving you, takes you for granted, abuses you, trades you in for someone else, or just never returns your affection to begin with, letting go and moving on seem like impossible feats. They’re not. Emily proves that.
Learn from her. Take your own broken heart, memories, and mementos and transform them into something positive, creative, and beneficial to others. Piñatas are easy to come by. Heck, you can even make a piñata yourself. Find one. Fill it. Move on. The only way to create new adventures for yourself is to let go of the old ones. The only way to stop focusing on your own pain is to focus on others. Whether you choose Emily’s method for overcoming heartbreak or invent one of your own, make the decision to let go and move on today. You deserve a fresh start and whole heart, just like Emily.
Bless you and thank you for sharing
Thank you so much. And thanks for the comment.
En la capital tinerfeña alcanzaron renombre las viandas que brindaba doña Amparo Sansón, que abría las puertas de su casa desde el sábado de Carnaval hasta el domingo de Piñata.