If I were asked about Valentine’s Day
I would talk about its strange beginnings,
About more than one Valentine,
And many types of love.
I’d add John Denver’s thought : “Some say love is everything; some say they don’t know.”1 And poet William Yeat’s caution, “Take love easy. …”2 Taylor Swift offered, “It’s Nice to Have a Friend,”3 and Louis Armstrong sang “What a Wonderful World.”4
But that is another day.
Today is Valentine’s Day in America.
We are a robust, varied, welcoming country.
One that hopefully can continue to motivate the world,
And one that is reflective.
Valentine’s Day is part of our traditions,
A tradition that says everyone is important, valuable and lovable.
Love is:
What you are drawn to,
Where and how you see yourself,
It is your life’s work. It is why we make sacrifices.
Yes, it is your partner.
One person told me:
“To feel love: Look in a kitten’s eyes.”
Another said: “Consider love to be the extra in extraordinary,
Or maybe it is the 13th donut in a Baker’s Dozen.”
It all began in elementary school and earlier.
One Valentine’s Day my mother said: “Send everyone a card,” even after
I said, “I don’t even like this kid.” “Everyone,” she directed.
And “Yes,” she replied softly when I asked if I could send Sheila two?
“You can because she is special to you.”
It is there in elementary school and before that everyone learned something about love.
But we did not realize then, probably not until years later
That we are all love, guided by our minds, enveloped by our hearts.
It is that feeling to be with others,
Or a light feeling to bring together all renditions of self to be ourselves.
It can be cleaning up, picking up and putting away -
Love is at first “inside” work.
And everything that we do that is good,
Such as trying to make friends,
Or doing the work after it is no longer fun
and others have gone home,
Or hauling the load alone,
Or staying late in school or at practice -
to get it right.
Doing our job.
At times we give love, not expecting any return,
But other times we are the recipients.
When we give and receive, it is the best of times.
There must be a person, place, or thing,
That is the object of our love.
Have you had that experience?
-For at least a profound moment-
When you feel that you are loved, loved by others.
Feel awhile.
By Dr. George Mack
Happy Valentine’s Day.
* Thank you to The Reporter, Valentine’s Day 2024, for the inspiration.
1. John Denver. Song: Perhaps Love. 2. William Butler Yeats. Poem: Down By the Salley Gardens 3. Taylor Swift, Song: It’s Nice to Have a Friend 4. Louis Armstrong, Song: What a Wonderful World
