February 14, 2012
Valentine's Day...a day of flowers, candy, diamonds, great sex, eternal love and devotion...OK...probably not.
Luckily I have somewhat escaped this holiday for the last couple years by either being on a cruise or away from the country. Unfortunately...I can be away from the U.S. but I can't escape the pink valentine's day explosion, heart shaped cakes at the bakery, and the constant sales pitch that...if I truly love someone...I need to spend money to buy stuff to "show" the people I love I care about them. Look, if I don't buy Christmas gifts...you probably don't have much hope I'll buy you a Valentine's gift.
But, if I see something I think you might like on February 18th...I will buy it for you. Not because I have to, but because I want to. Because I think you might like it. And THAT to me is so much better than getting anyone a gift because of a predetermined day.
So...I know what I don't like about this day. But there are also things I truly do appreciate...and I want to spend some time focusing on that.
Love. Such a strange emotion. It comes from nowhere, takes a hold of you, makes you act stupid and silly, and at times causes massive pain and sadness...and yet, I believe it's worth the pain. Yes, I'm actually saying this.
It's not just that passionate love between a couple...you know, the one where just the mere thought of the other brings a smile to your heart. But it's the love between a parent and a child, between friends, and even the special love people feel for their animal companions.
The greatest Valentine's gift I was given was to bear witness of a love between a parent and their child.
I am staying in an incredible small town near the Mediterranean. There is very little to do. The cafe's do not have wifi (or nonfat milk), stores are closed during the day, people take naps. It takes me 20 minutes to walk thru the whole town. Life here is very simple.
So on this day, I went with my cousin to pick up her daughter at school. As I arrived I saw hundreds of cars parked. Nobody was sitting in their cars. All the mothers and fathers were standing outside the school prepared to pick up their child. When each child came out, they ran to their parents who greated them with a hug and a kiss...and sometimes a jacket. Then they would run to their car together.
Each child left school and immediately was greeted by a person that loved them. Nobody walked home alone.
I can't tell you how this affected me...but it did. Greatly. To me, this act of unselfish behavior on behalf of the parents (which is practiced EVERY day here) was such a sign of love.
So...on this Valentine's day...I say this. The greatest sign of love is knowing that someone is there to give you a hug, a kiss, and to make sure you're warm. It's so much better than any gift you could buy in a store.
Happy Valentine's Day everyone...
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