For those that truly believe in Valentine’s Day – this diary may not be for you….just a note.
As this day of Romance and Hearts and Flowers and Cupids surrounds us…my thoughts wander off to the rest of the year. I am a sentimental softy and big marshmallow inside and a pushover for babies and puppies and good friends and my family.
I do not believe in Valentine’s Day.
For me it is a way for retailers to cash in one more time – like Christmas, and Mother’s Day and Father’s Day and Grandparent’s Day….and more.
Random Thoughts:
There are many of us here, and around us, in our daily lives without partners…by choice or change in their lives.
There are many that have relationships that are painful yet still they stay.
There are many that have committed and loving relationships – that give and show love to each other all year long.
There are those that agonize over what gift to give and whether they can afford to give anything at all.
– – –
What I do instead of Valentine’s Day
Each and every day I make sure that I tell my husband that I love him.
Every telephone call to my family I make sure I let them know that I love them.
Every visit to my family…including extended family…I make sure they get lots of hugs and that I tell them that I love them.
Every visit with friends begins and ends with a hug!
– – –
So I do my best to avoid snippy comments about the crass commericalism of Valentine’s Day.
Today I’m thinking of the all the Welcome Wagon Diaries that Shirl and Diane posted. About the love and energy that flowed from the diaries and comments…to all that crossed the threshold into the Frog Pond.
This diary is simply a way to celebrate the love for others all year long. So please share how you show the love in your heart with others all year long. The love for your parents, or your partner, or your children, or you pets, or just strangers.
Love to all of us
Each and everyday I think of those that are here on this blog…with fondness and heartfelt caring. You touch a part of my life and heart that others do not.
May you each have love and caring….365 days a year.
I haven’t bought a hallmark card in like.. forever. 🙂
Instead we give out Endangered Species Chocolate Bars made right here in Oregon 🙂 Cheaper actually and Mmmmmmmm for a good cause 🙂
But I do dig giving Mr. and the kids soundtracks, or CDs or movies.
My 16yo stepson mentioned to me yesterday that he had read somewhere that the average American spend $100 on Valentine’s Day stuff. We were both fairly appalled.
This is the same kid who leaves to catch his school bus at 6 a.m. every day, and on his way out the door, he never fails to say, “Love you, Mom.” And I am there to hear it because every day I show my love and caring for him by getting up at 5 a.m. to cook him a hot breakfast.
Love — never successfully commodified, no matter how much The Powers That Be try to convince us otherwise.
It has been 35-40 years since I was a kid…and to this day I can recall Mom making 4 kids breakfast each day before school.
It is the day-to-day love that stays in our hearts forever.
Hugs Songbh – and extra hugs to your wonderful step-son!
I confess to spending $100 on Valentine’s this year…but it was on buying my spouse a workout outfit, so we can both work on getting healthy enough to spend many more years together. A bit more significant than buying him a pair of “Hot Stuff” boxers he’ll never wear (he’s strictly a briefs man)…
And your comments Cali always show the love you have your spouse…each and every day…even when he makes you crazy!
Although the stress related to the holiday’s makes me hurt for those that feel it is super important. I was in the mall picking something up and watched all the guys wandering from jewelry counter to perfume counters looking totally frazzled.
I bought my husband a couple of ties this past weekend…because I got tired of him asking “does this tie work with this sports coat?”! Okay – so a forest green sports coat is tough to match…but…!
But then again – I bought him some truffles last week – made by a social enterprise group Homeward Bound of Marin. A way to give him a treat and spread love to those trying to find an end to homelessness.
And…for Valentine’s day I spent $3.00 on a card…
for always dropping by the FBC…and sharing your life with us all!
I’m meeting Ms. Carnacki at the gym tonight for that very reason — the exercise, not the boxers, although I do wear boxers. Can’t stand briefs.
What was the question?
Aww to heck with it…I’ll just wear a thick turtleneck and give you a really big hug!
You have shared so much love for so long with your “got a happy story” series. Every time I’d read one I’d smile a lot, and sometimes cry a little, and feel my heart burst with all the love you brought out of each us!
My Happy Story today:
I know a terrific guy – that sometimes calls himself Carnacki!
Thanks SallyCat. :^)
Hi Sally and happy day to you…I am not one who is overly fond of any holiday and Valentine is sure not at the top. But I love the colors and the cards, of course since my favorite color is red, that would explain it.
I agree with your sentiments, everyday should be a special day with those we love, and I do try to make it so.
I am sending love and hugs to you this day, like I have many other days…and of course love and hugs out to all my many friends on this site.
Each and every day…and through out Village Blue.
Just a brief visit makes me smile or sometimes cry…but each and every time it touches my heart.
Big hugs to you my dear friend Diane!
There are no words to add to this.
Because hugs are silent!
I don’t think I’ve ever had a silent hug in my life. There are many, many ways to communicate that involve our sense of hearing ;o)
that don’t involve hearing sounds
Silence can be so hot! 🙂
Well then – here’s a super big birthday hug and noisy smoochie on the cheek! Have a wonderful birthday my friend – with lots of noisy virtual hugs!
With many thanks to PhillyGal…this pootie pic is hot off today’s blogs!
copied that great photo for my hockey buddies… cause I’ loves em too 🙂
xoxox((((((((Sally)))))))xoxox
Have a great birthday, Super!!!
Exactly! {{{SallyCat}}}
I am a huge believer in hugs and sharing my feelings with the ones I love. I know that for me human contact/touch heals my heart. Just looks what happens to childre/babies in orphanages that don’t get picked up or cuddled. We all need that interaction and boy I cannot wait to interact with all you Pond dwellers coming to SOCal next month! Happy Everyday!
Right back at you!
Can you even imagine the amoung of hugs that will be at the meet-up? Wow and Wow!
I’ve got everything handled except airfare…and that turns out to be full-fare when using credit card miles…so this week sometime!
AND my meetup T-shirt has been shipped by Cafe Press!
Big hugs Alohaleezy – thank you for just being you!
Thank you!
This was a good Valentine’s Day for me. My husband who is a recovering alcoholic going on a year and a half of sobriety told me how grateful he was that I stayed and didn’t run when he was so bad. We have found a comfort zone that a year ago I never would have believed possible.
On the other side, tomorrow I see my kidney doctor about my future. Now he may have to take care of me.
“In sickness and in health” – the true meaning of loving each other.
You are in our thoughts and our hearts everyday Rosee…big loving hugs for you today and big protective loving hugs for tomorrow.
I’m leaning towards quality and I have my living will etc., all ready to go. But I am stressed.
Even though you and I don’t really know each other I wanted to tell you that you’ve been on my mind so much lately. This place feels like home to me and in a way that makes you family. So I’m sending big protective hugs to you too.
Everyday
I must be feeling all the positive energy 🙂 from my boo sisters and brothers cause my heart is happy!
Thanks.
Valentine’s Day – the only day that Republicans think about “ess eee exx” and then they continue on with their killing and lying.
Okay… (taps foot) … I happen to like this day 🙂
But.. I also know I tell you peeps how much I love you all every day I’m in here.
So… where’s my NOISY hugs?? 🙂
(((((((((((((Sally))))))))))))
{{{{{{{{DamnitJanet}}}}}}}}}}
Was that noisy enough for you, sweetie?
Let’s do the timewarp agaaaaaaiiiinnnn 🙂
You are such a special loving person…and you’ve let me and Mr.Cat become a part of your life and your family!
So…{{{{{{Janet}}}}} BIG noisy hugs to you….and a some for everyone in your wonderful family!
Boobage Huggage 🙂
If I still had the link to the HP Pavilion horn, I’d post that — would that be noisy enough for you? (Got the MP3 downloaded into my iTunes though — great sound effect for putting together movies… 😉 )
Spouse and I wish you and yours the bestest of V-days…speaking of V-days, I’ve gotta see “The Vagina Monologues” one of these days — was up at 4am and Bravo was showing an old “Celebrity Poker Showdown”, and Kathy Najimy (who I loooooove) won $100,000 for the V-Day Project… 🙂
You gotta go see it 🙂
I was supposed to read for a few parts (several do many parts) but the move was coming up.
I make a big deal out of valentine’s when I am seeing someone but am a hopless romantic 365 days a year.
I will not say bye as it is too final- except to my mom cause otherwise she will never hang up.
I tell loved ones I love them every chance I get.
Little cards, notes, trinkets, special treats or dinners are a common thing for me to do for friends(friends = family in my book) and heaven help anyone I am dating cause I always say I love you when I leave or end a phone conversation, refuse to go to bed mad, always say I love you give them a kiss goodnight and another in the am. I am a hugger and a touchy feely person.
Hugs are great for me and my friends and loved ones.
Gee, I wish I was a guy. You sound like a sweetie.
LOL!!!!
That just gave me the biggest smile of the day SN
:o)
Hugging is such a special part of day to day living and loving!
Have some really big hugs today…and some each and every day this year! We both know the best part of hugs – they come right back at us!
Pretty much my feelings. I don’t care for a big displays of affection one or two days a year and nothing the rest of the time. (Which is what I got from my ex-girlfriend) I’m the kind of person that prefers more consistent, less showy displays of affection. Don’t give a gift or do something special because it’s an Approved Special Occasion. Give a gift or do something special because you had a good day and want to celebrate, or she had a shitty day at work and needs some cheering up.
Do you remember love? Most people don’t.
What a wonderful phrase! and a new three letter acronym! ASO It ranks right up there with Mandatory Social Function = boss’ office party!
It was probably my ex-husband and his always doing the ASO that put me off of Valentine’s Day. And then he’d remember his Mom on Mother’s Day….me I’d call his Mom several times a month or more.
Yes – I remember love and live love everyday….and so do you
Know that you are hugged every day from those of us here at Booman…
I’m going to have to remember it too… It seems to capture the spirit of a whole lot of relatively meaningless holidays quite nicely.
It actually seems to be kind of a weird mentality. It’s one of those things that children do, but sort of lose as they grow up, I think.
What, despite occasionally being a right caustic bastard? 😉 But there’s a whole lot of wonderful people here that I really like talking with. I just wish we had more practical diaries like this – about ways to make a difference in your life and the lives of those around you – and less Daily Outrage.
I used to love Valentine’s day, as a child. Even heckled my mom into buying heart-shaped cake pans. Then I realized that not every kid got a valentine from every other kid in the class, and that didn’t seem right. (Just like the fact that St. Claus gave less stuff to poor kids than to rich kids. No fair!).
But I count myself the luckiest of people every day. A great companion/friend/spouse. He is sick right now, and he apologized for that and for doing nothing for Valentine’s day. I told him when did we ever do anything for Valentine’s that was more important than any other day? It is what we have every day. And I have at least a few million kids to worry about and love, plus assorted felines, flowers, neighbors, family members, and great college students. Glorious music,a beautiful earth, and here, at this moment, lovely people to make me think, reflect, reconsider, grow, and laugh. It is a great blessing – if there is such a thing – to drive or fly across the land, and think of so many kindred spirits out there: indignant, fighting, caring, working, having fun, and just living as well as they can. Mil gracias, for all days.
I noticed that too, growing up. My daughter has too.
What we’ve seen to notice is that those were the kids who were really touched by kindess and friendship.
I send my daughter to school with extra treats for lunch when she takes a sack. One for her and one for a new friend.
I think that seeing kids without… is what instilled this weird hockey thing I do. When I attend games I bring along chocolate treats, kisses, minibars… etc etc.. and I pass em out to the seats around. It’s a good way to meet people and share.
Sounds dorky but that’s how I can sorta ease the memories.
There are so many wonderful parts of your life – it’s good to be part of that and know that we share the love for so many things.
I’d almost forgotten about those classroom Valentines…one of many painful childhood memories for some adults.
You are truly blessed and we love knowing you! Hugs to you Kidspeak and to your spouse…and loving healing energy to him.
I make to sure to thank my guy everyday for being a great dad and a great husband. I am a lucky woman – the luckiest I know.
with a beautiful baby and a giving, loving heart.
BTW – aren’t we due for a baby picture in the FBC????
A big hug and pretty please from those of us that are softies for babies!
You got me to call my mother, who is in her 70’s. She said she would be my valentine.
That brought an absolutely huge grin to me tonight!
Love can get better with age…just like a fine wine. And your Mom being your Valentine is what everyday loving brings us.
Hugs to your Mom…cause you loves you and hugs you – with a couple of hugs from us!
All these hugs today have made me a little lightheaded and apparently has affected my ability to type!