Valentines Day Hype

Celebrating Valentines Day means different things to different people. I personally feel it has become another one of those holidays that is way too commercial. We Americans sure excel at exploiting holidays with our out of control materialistic cravings. Seems to me that many feel compelled to buy flowers, candy or other gifts for their significant other based on what the media is saying is the appropriate way to celebrate the day. 

My husband is a very intelligent man and understands the concept that many times when a woman says she doesn't want something, she really does. I assured him that I really meant it that I didn't want roses. I considered him taking me to the movies over the weekend as my Valentine treat. I enjoyed the movie and the time spent with him. We celebrate love every day of the year. I don't need things to convince me that this man loves me. 

While I don't ignore the day entirely, my observance is more simplistic. I have decorated the chandelier in the dining area with simple hearts I cut out this morning. A pink angel food cake has filled the air with a wonderful aroma as it cools. We will enjoy that with strawberries after a quiet meal together this evening. To me that is much more pleasant than a crowded, noisy restaurant.  

Growing up my father would present me, my mom and my grandmothers with chocolates, plants and cards when he could. Plants were preferred over cut flowers because they lived on past the holiday. Years that he was not ill he would try to get to market to get us cherry tarts for dessert. Money was tight many years so we didn't always get gifts, some years there was only a card. But we had what was important, each other. My father was never shy about sharing his feelings and he put that love in to action every day of his life. Isn't that what real love is all about? The gifts he gave were nice, but I remember his love for all of us more than any gift ever given.

If you didn't get flowers, candy or a card is it the end of the world? To me no. If you have love in your life, you are blessed. And I relate that not only to a significant other, but your family and friends as well. Single people should not feel unloved just because they are not currently in a relationship. This is another thing I don't like about Valentines Day. It seems to make make many single folks feel left out or sad as they remember past relationships. I understand for those who have lost a love through death that it may be an especially painful day. Try to, if you can, in that situation, make it a day to reflect on happy memories of that person and what a gift their life was to you. If we are going to have one day a year that puts love in the spot light, take this day to think about ALL the special people in your life. Celebrate Valentines Day by saying I Love You, You Are Special, over and over again to those people. Hug them if you are with them in person. Make phone calls to those you cannot be with. These are the gifts that touch the heart more than any monetary gift can.