A Heart That Works

by Rob Delaney

When one of us cries to the other, we don’t try to fix it; we don’t stammer platitudes. We just listen and hold.

music that might seem—or even be—sad or blue makes sense to me, because I listen to it and think, “That’s how I feel inside,” so why not accept that and listen to music that helps me find some equilibrium between my interior and my exterior?

The three songs that weren’t Elliott Smith were by an Icelandic artist named Asgeir.

Many people with Down syndrome find it helpful, as do kids like Henry who can’t speak due to a tracheostomy and nerve damage. You may have seen Makaton if you’ve ever watched the beloved Mr. Tumble on CBeebies. Mr.

DURING HENRY’S LAST YEAR, we benefited from two amazing charities, Rainbow Trust and Noah’s Ark.

have been humbled by Henry’s sickness and death, and I know damn well that I can’t stop kids from dying. But I know who can make a dying kid smile and laugh and feel loved and focused on and cared for. And I like giving them money to do that.

when I think about him growing in the same womb as Henry, I’m so happy. I had a dream one night that Henry left a message for him in my wife’s womb.