A Mother’s Heart

When I was a kid my mom always told me this story,

Once upon a time there was a woman with a broken heart that couldn’t have a baby.

The woman prayed and prayed, and went to see many doctors until finally her belly started to grow.

It grew bigger, and bigger , and bigger until it looked like it would pop.

Then when the baby came out, it was a little baby boy that healed his mother’s heart.

Of course that was a simplified telling of my parent’s difficulties in trying to conceive, and I was so young that I didn’t have a clue about the struggle then. But later on I realized that the boy who healed his mother’s heart was me.

During college I worked at Mandell’s in the shipping department and then in the accounting department. I really enjoyed my coworkers and how they understood the struggles that families face. I am back in school for now and miss being a part of the family business, but when I’m done I hope to be involved in a meaningful way. Mandell’s is a special place, it’s all heart.

Eddie Malanda, Jr.