Sunday - February 8, 2009
Just a short reminder to all who read the blog that you have less than a week to prepare something special for your wife, husband, parents, children, friends, neighbors, and maybe even yourself before February 14 gets here. The candy, flowers, jewelry, cars, vacations, and anything you might wish to give that special person in your life is a token many people give to show how much they love that person. With today's economy, most of us will not go overboard and try and buy something expensive to prove to that special person they are loved!
I can remember Mom saying many times that she didn't care what Dad would buy her - even if it was just a "hanky" - she would love it because HE picked it out. I think most of us already know that the love of our life truly loves us and doesn't have to prove that love by buying expensive gifts!
Growing up we loved getting those packages of cards for forty-nine cents and give to our friends and teachers at school. I always hated giving the boys one - I was afraid they would think I liked them - UGH!!!!! Our teachers always had us make Valentine folders, and then they were stapled on the bulletin board so all the students could place the cards in them. We would then have a party, open up our cards, and either be glad or sad that the special person in the classroom remembered you!!! I can remember the crying of some of the girls because that "guy" didn't give her a card, and then there were those who would brag about how many special cards they received. That made an impression on me that carried over to my days of teaching. Never do anything that would cause pain or bragging rights for the kids. I wanted them all to feel special and loved!!! It was easier done in elementary school than on the middle school level.
After moving from the school I had taught at for eighteen years, I was placed at a different middle school. Students that went to this school came from many walks of life. Some had parents who had great jobs and were able to give them anything they desired. There were also many students who came from homes that were financially making it from payday to payday. I'm not sure when it started, but students started receiving presents (flowers, balloons, stuffed animals, etc) at school for Valentine's Day. Many of these were boyfriend/girlfriend's sending them to the person they liked - which was cute and sweet when it was a stuffed bear or a box of candy. Somewhere after this "tradition" started, the gifts being sent started being bigger and more expensive! I saw many tears on that day, and I saw a lot of gloating! It was so sad. I don't begrudge those who received the gifts - I just wish all the kids could have felt the same joy as some of the others did.
Many of the flowers/gifts sent were from parents so that their child would not be hurt and part of the group who received nothing. I hope all of those kids still receive gifts of love and those who didn't then - do now! I remember on child who receive three dozen roses. Yes, three dozen yellow roses for a twelve year old! Oh my - now that was more than any of the teachers' received!
We don't have to go out and buy expensive gifts - maybe a homemade card, a rose bud, a "hanky," a box of candy, or a simple "I love You" would be enough for most of us! So for all those who procrastinate, don't have the money or the time, you have six days to come up with a special "thing" for those you love!
None of the presents we receive or give will ever surpass our Father's gift - the giving of His own Son to die on the cross for us! How many of us tell our Heavenly Father that we love Him? I know we all pray and many of us do tell Him we love Him, but many times we are asking Him for help and guidance. Take a minute and just tell Him you love Him!!!
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