OPEN your BROKEN HEARTED

“The pain of grief is just as much part of life as the joy of love: it is perhaps the price we pay for love.” - Colin Murray Parkes

Grief is long and messy, painful and unpredictable. But grief is also natural, necessary and revealing. In the process of healing, there's a quiet realisation of relearning to love and finding the beauty in life. It's like slowly lifting a weight from the heart, allowing a fresh perspective to emerge.

Grief is an expression of love. We find life’s meaning in love. And love never dies. Love lives on in our memories, our choices, our actions, and that same love takes on new life in those touched by it even after we are gone.

So be determined to keep on loving the ones you have loved and lost. Learn from it. Allow it to inspire you and change you for the better. Carry it with you and look for it in others. Share it with those who need it. Don’t hold back. Be intentional about it. Let it be a beautiful part of who you are now.

Love! Love without end.

Filmed in Seattle, USA.

All of our films are made possible through the generous support of our patrons.

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Who is Reflections of Life? We are Justine and Michael (previously known as Green Renaissance). We use our passion for filmmaking and our love of storytelling, to remind our audience of one simple truth – that we are all human. The more that we understand and believe in this interconnectedness, the more we will treat ourselves, one another, and planet earth with a greater sense of compassion.

Filming - by Michael
Editing - by Justine du Toit
Sound mix - by Tamryn Breakey

Music tracks used in this film:

A huge thank you to these guys, who gave so generously of their to time to help with translations, enabling us to provide subtitles in the following languages:
Bulgarian - by Polina Stoyanova
Cebuano/Bisaya (Filipino) - by Anna Peterson
Croatian - by Davor Bobanac
Dutch - by Karla Greven
English - by Justine du Toit
French - by Amélie Macoin
German - by Tanja Pütz
Greek - by Vicky Polychroni
Hindi - by Parul Sharma
Hungarian - by Zorka Evetovics
Indonesian - by Ary Nuansa
Italian - by Grazia Gironella
Polish - by Anna Konieczna
Portuguese - by Sibylle Steinpass and Lucivani Valvassori
Romanian - by Anca Zaharia
Russian - by Assiya Marzhanova
Slovak - by Zuzana Beratsova
Slovenian - by Jasmina Kovačič
Spanish - by Paty Aguirre
Vietnamese - by Thi Le

[judyford]

This morning I've read all your generous comments, . Thank you. I'll for sure continue reading all comments. You've given me laughter and tears, smiles and giggles. Isn't it inspiring that we can feel connected to people we've never met?

[MsGaella]

You say, “you cannot fix your broken heart. You can only love your broken heart“
This is SO healing for me. Thank you thank you🙏❤️🙏

[laine]

I went to my first art class in my 50s. My husband died suddenly about 2 years into my classes. He had just lost his life insurance policy due to a non related health issue. I supported myself until I reached retirement age by both selling my art and teaching others to paint. It truly gave me a reason to live.

[esthers]

I'm struggling and I'm lost and..I feel numb and have a hard time crying.
I lost my husband October 27th 2023. He was 67 years old and passed from brain cancer. I married him when I was 19 we were married for going on 41 years. In July of this year my 65 year old sister passed away. She was more like a mother to me. I am sorry for anyone who loses someone they love❤

[kimcunningham]

I lost my husband and he was my best friend. It stopped me in my tracks but now I live my Life to the fullest in honor of him. 💜💜💜

[kristinan.]

Lost my 21 year old son 8 months ago. I will watch this again and again. I too am a broken hearted optimist. Thank you, Judy.

[bluegirl]

So profound. We never "get over" losing someone. The grief becomes a constant companion. For me it has made me appreciate and value each day I live on this earth, especially those I love.

[kerstinmiller]

This is a beautiful comment section, probably the most soul-touching one I’ve ever read. Sending love to everyone reading this. ❤

[jonathankipp]

I watched this two weeks ago and have not been able to get this sweet lady out of my mind. And while I don't go around talking about what I learn in these films with my loved ones, I found myself sharing some of the wisdom she shared with me. Her explanation of experiencing ongoing grief while still loving life at the same time, well, may be life changing. Laughter and tears go together. Why has nobody ever explained this to me before? What a gift... what a gift I can give my children as they face their own heartaches as they trounce into adulthood. 'You cannot fix a broken heart. You can only love your broken heart." Thank you.

[nkinyori]

"There's no heaven without my daughter." Now I'm crying😭😭

[TheJJmags]

I can relate to her so much, I became a young widow last year at 34 and my husband was just like hers so handsome and my everything! And like her I am a broken hearted optimist ❤

[Aspen_stitcher]

"Celebrating everything is what it means to be alive" is one of the most profound statements I have ever heard. A beautiful story of a beautiful person!

[MissBeeGood]

I lost my husband 8 years ago. He didn’t die but our marriage did when he left me for a woman half my age. We were together 21 years and he was my best friend. I have been lost since and struggle to let people get close to me. I think my heart is still broken and having watched this realise it always will be. I don’t have children and think I’ll probably always be alone. Am grateful for friends and the few family members I have. My pets give me comfort but my beloved dog Archie died last year which further shattered my heart. This video sure made me cry but it was a good release. Judy is an inspiring lady. Thank you for this video.

[anthonydavies]

A little gem so much wisdom from this charming lady. I especially liked it when she says "I get funnier and sadder as I grow older". As a granddad I really enjoy being the silly one in the family! Thank you as always for ten minutes of pure celebration of being alive.

[Lanclasscan]

So poignant and soothing to realise how precious our time is here on earth. Love from Canada.

[gallovidian]

"I don't know if it's true, but it makes me feel better to believe it"" - this.

[EdDiaz]

I want to have coffee with this lady. I feel like I have known her all my life. So full of authentic wisdom. Thank you🙏❤️

[alainleblanc]

How lucky am I to have stumbled on this video. I am listening and watching with a tear in my eye and a smile on my face. If I may say, Judy, you are a absute beautiful women, you exude love. Thank you🌻

[kathleensteeves]

There is a great song in that statement “ I never get enough of those I love” 😊

[NN]

This content is priceless. Thank you so much for sharing with us this beautiful woman and her huge heart and amazing wisdom. I would also like to acknowledge the choice of background music. It is a lovely accompaniment. Just enough and not intrusive. 🎶🎼🎵