Happy Valentine's Day

When we think about others and send a flower on the computer, or a gift of words that say "I am glad our paths have crossed", we are really saying "I care about you." When we say "You are special," I imagine we are really saying, in a shy way, "I love you."

The amazing thing is that we don't have to say the exact words, "I love you," or "I care about you." That's because we, all, and over time, do little kindnesses for one another. Kindness carries the same message.

Even to call someone on the phone is a gift of love. "I was thinking about you and wanted to get in touch." Love is caring and having concern for another person's well-being. Love is sometimes called friendship. Love, like friendship, is something we share. Love is taking provisions to a food pantry. Love is helping, sometimes, by giving another driver the right-of-way. Love is caring for a pet.

A little kindness that a friend, a spouse, or a child, of whatever age, offers us or offers someone else, shouts the feeling of love so loudly that even without words or sound, we know that Love is at hand.

When my grandson Stephen was an older toddler we walked to a park that had climbing equipment. On the walk, we met up with a woman walking the opposite way. She was pushing a young girl in a little rolling carriage. The woman and I stopped to talk. "Yes", she said, "This is Amy, my daughter."

Stephen had a graham cracker in his hand. While I talked to the mother, Stephen went over by the little girl. In a minute, he broke his cracker into two pieces, and gave half to the little girl. She took the cracker. Before eating it, she took something from her mouth. She offered half to Stephen. I intervened, but my heart was made glad. So young, and yet both children had an inner urge to share. Love was already flowering in the children.

Valentine's Day is about love. Wouldn't it be great if we could say in person, "I love you" to our spouses, our children and our friends? Is it easier to say, "I'm glad we met." Or " I'm glad we married and have had a home together."

The thought has just come to me, and never had before: Are we human folk rather shy and tongue-tied about saying out loud to those we truly care about: "I love you?"

How about if this Valentine's Day, we folk had a little exchange of "glads"? "I'm glad we met." "I'm glad we are friends." or "I'm glad we married." Might the thanks be, "I'm glad for our home." " I'm glad we still have each other."

Let's try to sneak in also, a "Happy Valentine's hug." Along with an "I love you."

This old world may be so overjoyed, we may have to nudge it to keep it turning. "I love you, World!" "I love you, Life!"

"Dear Creator of all that is, and of all that is and all that ever will be, I love you!"  
Marylee Manson Armour
January 14, 2008

A loved Poem
by Elizabeth Barrett Browning (1806-1861)

How do I love thee? Let me count the ways.
I love thee to the depth and breadth and height
My soul can reach, when feeling out of sight
For the ends of Being and ideal Grace.

I love thee to the level of everyday's
Most quiet need, by sun and candle-light.

I love thee freely, as men strive for Right;
I love thee purely, as they turn from Praise.
I love thee with a passion put to use
In my old griefs, and with my childhood's faith.

I love thee with a love I seemed to lose
With my lost saints, --- I love thee with the breath,
Smiles, tears, of all my life! --- and, if God choose,
I shall but love thee better after death.
*******
(I hold memory only
"How do I love Thee?
Let me count the ways.")

Collected by Marylee Manson Armour
Back in time and on
Valentine's Day, 2008