When I was small many customs were not as grand as they seem today. On mother's day, I would pick a small bouquet from my Mother's flower garden and present them to her with a hug. I don't recall Father's Day ever being mentioned or celebrated. There was no doubt of my love for both. Valentine Day was strictly a school thing. Most often, we would cut out a valentine from art paper and color it, write a note on it if one was not already printed from the mimeograph. We would then draw names and each child would get one valentine. A few children might bring one from home for the teacher.
Today, valentines have become big business with every child bringing a valentine for everyone in the class. All expressing their unqualified love.
I have never had any great belief in St. Valentine although I have followed the custom with a bouquet for my wife and little boxes of candy for my daughters. We never quite got around to exchanging valentines with the boys and men; felt it was more of a girl thing. While my belief in valentines may be somewhat limited, no one believes more deeply in love for I have been blessed with being loved beyond measure in my life.
The distances have grown greater as my mobility became limited and I'm sending no valentines this year. I wish each person that I love could join me for a bite of the valentine I have made as I have thought of you in the making.
I remember exchanging valentines with my classmates. We decorated shoe boxes with tissue & construction paper, doillies, and coloring pencils, cut slits in the tops and everybody got their valentines. I don't remember my Dad ever getting my Mom flowers, there was a card. I've always gotten my kids both daughters & son cards and candy and today that includes my grandkids. Over the last few years Ronnie has sent me roses, I've got to admit they are beautiful and I do enjoy it! I've heard the story of St. Valentine, don't know how much of it is true. I suppose it's just another day for the greeting card companies and the florists and candy makers to make extra money! I know they do from me!! Most of the people I care about won't get a valentine from me either - that's only for my kids. But I trust that those people know who they are and what they mean to me.
ReplyDeleteI loved the story Arlie. What your wrote is much as I remember my childhood years on Valentines day. I had one friend that wrote this yesterday. If you only celebrate one year your love for friends then you are missing out on 364 days. I liked that and I agree it's become a Hallmark day instead of one with giggling and laughter over which boy got a valentine card from which girl. I so miss kooties. They seem tame by the stuff you can get nowdays. -Deral
ReplyDelete