I’m an accountant by trade.

I’m a writer by heart.

I’ve loved to write since before I was ten years old, (although, back then I wrote mostly poetry and I imagine it was pretty awful).

Roses are red.

Violets aren’t blue. They’re purple.

There are birds in that tree.

I can tell by their chirple.

Terrible Poem by young cynthiarogan

These days, I’m always on the lookout for hearts—the heart of the story, the heart of the character, the heart of the matter. Sometimes I find hearts in places I don’t expect to find them. Maybe that heart is in a character who’s done some pretty bad stuff. Sometimes nature leaves them for me in the form of rocks or leaves or even a water stain. Then there are the ones that just happen–shaped by vacuum cleaner cords or rubber bands or a strand of yarn in a parking lot. They present themselves as spills or food. Once I even found a heart-shaped drop of chocolate (but I didn’t have the heart to eat it).

When I pay attention, I notice hearts all around me. They always feel like gift. They are a reminder to me that not only are there hearts everywhere, but there is love all around. Sometimes we have to choose to see it, but it’s there.

When I catch sight of a heart I wasn’t expecting, I try to snap a picture.

I have posted some of my favorites. Each of them have whispered a reminder to me: “Watch for the love.”

I try to do that.

And I hope I share some of it through my writing.

I’ll keep writing.

Please keep reading.

And keep your eyes open. You just might find an unexpected heart. If you do, please send me a picture of it. I’d love to post it on my website.