The heart of the matter

Ruby Jenkins' name symbolizes love, strength, and protection-qualities she has embodied since birth. Born without pulmonary arteries entering her heart, she underwent open-heart surgery at four months old. Now, as she celebrates her third birthday on Valentine's Day, Ruby's resilience shines as brightly as the gemstone and great-grandmother she shares a name with.

On a recent Friday afternoon, Ruby sang the ABC song and serenaded her mom, Jolene, with "The Wheels on the Bus."

"What she does now is a miracle," Jolene said. "It's like nothing ever happened. She's doing things normal kids do."

Th...