My Valentine's Day Celebrations ARen't what they used to be!
Ah, the planning of that special celebration. Buying a new outfit. Having a dozen yellow roses delivered to my office. Anticipating what gift my sweetheart had chosen that year. Oh, there have been some great Valentine's Days in my life -- and I love remembering them. But life has changed and I don't celebrate in quite the same way now.
Last night I had the privilege of helping my granddaughter, Zoe Grace, 
address her Valentine's cards for her classmates. The rule in her class is that everyone must get a card, so she had 19 to do. This year she chose cards with puppies and kittens -- just like last year -- and the year before that. I'm starting to notice a theme here.
It was fun hearing her reasoning for choosing a particular card for each friend. One little boy got one that mentioned "fierce" because Zoe thinks he's tough and that's a tough word. A happy kitty for a "happy" little girl. She chose one that had a kitten with it's paw up to it's mouth for a little boy she thinks is "full of manners". "He always covers his mouth when he burps, Mimi." I'm glad to hear it, Zoe. Manners are important!
She surprised me with this: "I have to do one for Mr. Gary." "Who?" "Mr. Gary, my bus driver, Mimi. He's so nice to us and he makes sure no one picks on anyone." In that case, I think Mr. Gary deserves a Valentine (and maybe some brownies). Keeping my granddaughters safe is a pretty big deal to me!
I enjoyed the time Zoe & I spent working on her cards and hearing about her friends. But what I really enjoyed was hearing my granddaughter speak with such kindness and show such thoughtfulness for her classmates and her bus driver. She was really intent on being certain that each one got the "right" card for them. "Isn't this fun? Won't my friends be thrilled?" (she and her mother read a lot of Fancy Nancy books, so she likes to use the words she's read in them!) She's showing love and respect for her classmates, something I hope she'll continue to do with everyone she meets for the rest of her life.
So, no fancy dinner this year. No wine and roses. No jewelry. No Special Note. But something more lasting, more important: The knowledge that my granddaughter has a Valentine's heart that she's not afraid to share.
ValentineTude
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