Ah, the dreaded Valentine's Day. I would have to say this is my absolute least favorite holiday of all. Yes, even being married I still dislike this day. I think so much of my dislike comes from deep, buried pain. I personally think that this holiday should only be meant for adults and kept outside work and kept from involving others around you. Have you seen the valentine's day episode of The Office? Need I say more about why it shouldn't be in the work place, school, or anywhere for that matter. At school it was a competition, at work, COMPETITION! So what about those of us who don't get valentines? And then there are all the dances or balls and if you don't get asked you're left with that humiliation for the rest of your school days. Did I hear you ask me if I have an issue with valentine's day? OF COURSE!
So, this year I decided to stop being the Grinch of Valentine's day, the Scrooge of all scrooges. I actually spent the .50 cents per candy gram and sent 3 to my daughter, one from each member of our little family. I began thinking about why I detest this holiday and decided I NEVER want my daughters to feel the same way. I want them to know they are loved, Valentine's Day and every day of the year. Does giving them little treats and cards and having tangle proof handed to them in their classroom prove my love? Of course not. But it does make one feel special to be remembered. I want to instill in them confidence and a lack of worry about the valentine day competition that they will inevitably face in their teenage years.
I enjoy the giving of love. It makes me feel good. If only I had understood that as a kid. I think the more one gives their love the more they receive love. I was a hog, a suck. I wanted all the love given to me without me having to give any thing first. Only when I learned this valuable lesson have I truly felt love. With my new outlook I should have a better attitude with valentine's day. And that is my goal. But at the same time I still cannot seem to get passed all the commercialization of holidays. I have that same overwhelming, dreary feeling come over me that I have to compete with someone or something. Will my daughter pass out the coolest, favorite cards? Will I give my husband the mushier or funnier card (this year I went with funny)? Augh, why must we torture ourselves over such trivial things?
Oh, in regards to those feelings of being the only child without a valentine I spoke to the school about allowing parents the opportunity to send a candy gram to a child who may not get one at all. I really wanted to save atleast one child's heart from breaking this year. The secretary explained to me that she had the same idea and she has already tallied who was getting grams and was figuring out who was not on the list and she and another lady in the office were personally sending one to each child. I asked her if I could contribute, she said it was already taken care of. I was so thrilled to hear that these sweet ladies were so thoughtful of each and every child. They were literally taking that "no child left behind" thing above and beyond. They did express gratitude for my sentiments and would take my idea into consideration for next year. I hope they do.
Oooo! I have an idea for my daughter! She has about 6 extra valentines. I am going to challenge her to give them to a child at lunch or on the play ground who is alone or who seems sad. I can't wait to hear from her tomorrow and how her day went!
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