Today is a special day. A day we celebrate those we love.
First off - I want to say hello and send love and kisses to each of you here. Valentines Day has always been one of the more difficult days of the year for those who have lost love, but it's also the day to let your kids, friends, family etc know how much they are loved.
For you, my support group friends - I hope you find something fun to do and know that there are many people in your life who really do love you.
This morning I awoke early and remembered my daughter had tucked a manilla envelope into my suitcase with a note (DO NOT OPEN UNTIL FEB 14). Do you know that I have felt loved every single day in February because I knew my daughter had thought ahead and done that? Not having a huge budget - she did something meaningful. The card is a lovely pink heart she cut out which is one a lacey doily and edged in real lace, decorated with stickers and some special words. Yes, she is creative and artsy - handmade is so nice. But inside the envelope was a pkg of Lindor chocolate hearts (nice) and a large pkg of Twizzlers. Twizzlers you say? Well, when Ashley was young and twirled competitively on the Canadian team, she knew that I always took Twizzlers. They kept me sane while I stressed over her performances; when I took the team I coached, everyone got Twizzlers and I always gave one to Ashley when she needed a pick me up. She knows I begin work tonight on a very long, stressful baton twirling event and she remembered my Twizzlers!
So today, take the time to tell someone you love that you love them. What they mean to you. It doesn't need to be a "love interest" - just someone who means something to you.
This morning I say to each of you here that you make a difference in my life. I love your posts. I love the kinship we all share. I take your hugs and your kicks both as signs you care and that means something to me.
Drinks are on the house. I'm serving doubles today. And yes - I am a big lover of Baileys in my coffee (though not every day). I bought Josh Baileys filled chocolate hearts along with a red golf shirt since he will not get the gift until he arrives here.
And yesterday a friend told me a yummy recipe. Drop a Baileys filled chocolate into your coffee - it's even more rich than just adding Baileys! Hmmm... think Josh would notice one of those chocolates missing today?
Barb, that was a a lovely post-thank you and a happy valentines day to you all, old friends and new. Getin ready to spend a few days with my new man- he has 2 teeth I haven,t seen yet! Jesuits had it right after all "give me a child 'til he's 7 and I will show you the man " or in Ash's case a woman. Hard to believe when we are tearing our hair out over some teenage antics but look at that kind and thoughful gesture-she gets it from you. Enjoy the rest of your stay and you are sure Josh hasn,t a long lost twin tucked away somewhere. Oh well guess my knight in shining armour hasn,t got his sat nav working yet.
Thank you for the Valentine's Day wish! And right back at you! And to everyone else here on DB!!
This Valentine's Day's marks the 20th anniversary of my dad passing away. I am probably the only one who will note that today as virtually my whole family is gone.
My dad always remembered EVERYONE and everything -- every holiday, birthday, anniversary etc. And I guess he passed that on to me -- along with just about every other wonderful trait I may possess.
So while it is a sad memory to have on Valentine's Day -- in some ways it is just perfect b/c no one was more loving, generous or kind than my dad.
That is wonderful that you shared such lovely memories of your dad with us. I think it makes it harder for us to know our children are not as lucky as us in the "dad" dept.
I am blessed to have the most caring father as well. He is 80 now. He always puts family first. Thinking of him and Valentine's Day - one memory comes most to mind. At age 7, my Valentine's Day would have consisted of classmate cards in my little decorated lunch bag, cupcakes made by Mom and me wearing only red or pink. But that night when I got into bed, I felt something under my pillow. Dad had put my first "Nancy Drew" book there. I had never heard of her. But I LOVED the book. He had done the same for my brother with a "Hardy Boys" book. Started a new love for me. And dad regularly went to the bookstore and got us each the next one in the series. What a guy!
Thank you for understanding. Your dad sounds wonderful! And you are so lucky to still have him which I know you know. And I was (am) a huge Nancy Drew fan! In fact, a friend of mine who lives down the road -- actually became the latest "Carolyn Keene" -- and has written many of the current Nancy Drews! She told me that when women friends find this out -- they all react as I did -- with enormous enthusiasm and excitement and fond memories. Nancy is/was a fantastic role model for girls IMO. Your mentioning that brought back wonderful memories.
And you're right, the saddest part is that 20 years is a LIFETIME...my son's lifetime. They both missed out on SO much. I have amazingly been able to keep his memory quite alive for my son -- but it truly breaks my heart that they only had 8 years to enjoy and love each other on the earth level.
And I also wonder if women like us -- who had amazing fathers -- are especially hard hit when our H's betray and let us down? My dad was a heroic figure to our whole family and in fact, was very high profile in the community at large. It was like growing up as a celebrity's daughter. I thought ALL men were supposed to be honorable, kind, generous, loyal and people of great integrity. My xH truly loved and respected my dad -- and I truly believe that if he were still alive my xH would NOT have ever been able to do all the self-described "horrible horrible" things he did. He wouldn't have dared!!
Anyone who has had a wonderful, loving, kind and honorable dad is lucky beyond belief. I am so grateful for the years I did have with him. I only wish my sons had had the same.
