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The Little Book of Love Quotes: A Little Book With a Big Heart
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1/25/2006 |
Maha Al-Azar, Media Relations Officer, Office of Information and Public Relations |
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ma110@aub.edu.lb |
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Nina Abi Fadel and Caroline McCabe-Hariz at the launch in November 2005
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An e-mail was their inspiration, but it was deep-felt emotion that pushed them into action. For Nina Abi-Fadel and Caroline McCabe-Hariz, every child with congenital heart disease (CHD) deserves the chance to be healed. And money should not be an obstacle. So, one day when they received an e-mail containing a collection of children's comments on love, the light bulb went on, and Nina and Caroline decided to produce The Little Book of Love Quotes "to get kids to help other kids."
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A child is happy to see his quote in print
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"As one child put it, 'Love is symbolized by a heart. This is because the heart is the most important part of your body, and without the heart your whole body will not function,'" explained Caroline, a published writer who works at the AUB Office of Information and Public Relations as the University's web editor. "In a way, it was like words coming from one child's heart to help save another heart," remarked Nina, a veteran events organizer, during the November news conference held to launch the book.
Once they agreed on the idea, the two women set out to find a beneficiary and sponsor. Brave Heart Fund co-founders Joumana Ghandour Atallah and Riham Kosta Serhan jumped at the idea, of course, it would not only help promote the cause of their young organization; it would also mean a direct cash benefit, since the fund would receive 50 percent of the proceeds from the sale of the book, which is being sold for $12 in bookstores. |
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Co-founder Riham Serhan explains about the Brave Heart Fund
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The Brave Heart Fund was established in 2003 at the AUB Medical Center by families with children suffering from CHD, a condition that causes abnormality in the heart. One in every 100 newborn babies is afflicted with CHD, making it the most common cause of death among infants less than a year old. But the good news is that the abnormality can be corrected, either through surgery or non-invasive treatment. Once treated, almost all CHD babies can expect to lead a normal life.
Every year some 600 babies are born with CHD in Lebanon. According to Dr. Fadi Bitar, a pediatric surgeon at the AUBMC, the fund has already managed to help 165 infants over the past two years. The goal, however, is to help 400 children per year. MTC Touch, whose slogan is "Everyone has something to say," was also eager to back the project, as "a way to contribute to the Lebanese community that we serve and to reach out to individuals in diverse ways." |
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Dr Fadi Bitar talks to Nina Abi Fadel during the launch
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The book contains 365 quotes, which Caroline and Nina collected from an equal number of children whom they met at schools, on the streets, and through friends and family. "We think this book is a truly wonderful gift to give," said Nina, "the 365 love quotes can help inspire someone, every day of the year."
Indeed, banks and brides are already finding the book a heartwarming gift to offer to friends or clients-not surprising, considering the unusual mix of romance and practicality, hope and sadness, the children expressed in their quotes. |
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"Love is sharing your quote with others."
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For 12-year-old Joe, "Love is something that if you give it away, you end up having more." Fouad, 16, had a more realistic view on love: "Love is like a fire, sometimes it keeps you warm and sometimes it burns you!" Thirteen-year-old Clement also noted the darker side of human nature: "Love cannot exist without humans, but humans can exist without love," he wrote. Even five-year-olds had their view on love??David, 5, described love as "kissing on the lips, on the mouth and wearing married clothes."
Others found sacrifice and giving in love: "Love is when my grandpa helps my disabled grandma do the shopping and cut her hair, even if he hates shopping!" wrote Pierre, 13. And Samer, 15, said: "Love is giving your 'Big Mac' to someone even if you want it." | For Caroline, whose two children suffer from a mild form of CHD, one aim was to help distract children from the horrific events of the past year and "bring a little joy into their hearts with this book."
So far the book has raised over $16,000 for the Brave Heart Fund. The producers will be looking to reprint more copies in time for Valentine's Day and Congential Heart Disease Week (February 7-14).
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