I'm making a farewell cake for an amazing woman I could go on and on about. She is very, very hard-working and has created children's programs that help with literacy and other issues in under-served communities. I've come up with a design that I like. The top tier is where I would like some help please. I want to show her hands reaching out - the one hand has a heart in the palm for her tremendous compassion and complete giving of herself. The other hand is where I am stumped. I had thought of placing tools in the palm to show that she's hard-working and she provides tools for children to be able to improve their lives. But literal "tools" just don't look right.

Does anyone have suggestions for me please?

How about a small open book? Or would that be too big for the design you have in mind?