But, the forgotten group, the lonely, the newly divorced or widowed, the empty nester, the young adult you see living alone in a new city for the first time. So many people who will be reminded all day long today that they are not 'someone special enough' for the dinner and flowers.
Don't get Valentine's Day wrong today, take the five minutes out of your life to run into a store and grab a pack of Valentine's Day cards, and take them with you to work to put on the desks of those that wouldn't otherwise find a card waiting for them. Stick a card in the mailbox of the sweet older woman at the end of the street whose last child has left for college, taking her heart along with them.
To the single mom you see juggling work and three children on her own in the pick up line at school today, give her a smile and hand her a card saying I see all you do. You are amazing.
The retired woman who helps with playground duty who always seems to have that extra eye out for your little guy and a kind word for you, how about placing a card in her hand to say thank you for making my world brighter.
My kids and I left for school thirty minutes earlier this morning to drop off homemade cards and $4.99 tulip bunches at the homes of two dear friends we know are struggling this year. One recently divorced, one just beginning the process.
In doing this, we became the ones receiving our own Valentine's Day diamonds, the ones glistening in our friends' eyes.
*Happy Valentine's Day to all the wonderful people I've met here. You have been so good to me and I am so very lucky to know you. Thank you for your kindness.
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Photopin via Pinksherbet
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**Plans for tonight? Dinner and a movie? Thinking about seeing The Vow? Well, I saw it. And I had to blog about it.
My post up today at Sprocket Ink, dishing on the No. One box office draw this Valentine's Day.
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Lovely poost! My message was similar today. It's all about love today - especially with ourselves. xxoo
ReplyDeleteHappy Valentine's Day, Beautiful! This was an exquisite post with a delectable message! It's something I strive to do each day, especially when I find myself feeling selfishly sorry for myself. There are so many out there deserving of love and kindness! Thank you for reminding us all! XO
ReplyDeleteThis was lovely. My ex and I separated last year, around Valentine's Day actually. So this holiday has taken on a different meaning, though I know it won't always be this way. And my parents brought me flowers today, along with a bear for my daughter. And my boys are at school, passing out their cards. So it's OK, because I know I'm surrounded by love.
ReplyDeleteYou are sweet and kind. I sooo remember this day at times not feeling the love. Thank you for the reminder to pay it forward.
ReplyDeleteOne of the many reasons I love you so very much. Your words, your actions, your zest for life, and the shining example you are to your sons made me feel the need to pop over and say happy Valentine's Day to one of the most hardworking and beautiful women I know. This post really exemplifies your kindness and compassion.
ReplyDeleteHope you enjoy a day of smiles and warm wishes. And love. Lots and lots of love.
How are you so goshdarn smart? Because you are. I sent a super special card to my momma, a single empty nester.
ReplyDeletelove you woman. every day.
You are such a lovely, lovely person Empress.
ReplyDeleteThis month's shipment of Viagra is on me.
Malo eres, senor gopopgo.
Deletexo
I will take your post to heart and see who might need a little uplifting today. What a good friend your are Empress. Have a love filled day with all those boys of yours!
ReplyDeleteDana
nice...this is a great post...and there are many that detest this day...i like your idea and will take you up on it..
ReplyDeleteThis is just so lovely. You are just so lovely. Happy Valentine's Day to you!
ReplyDeleteYou are darling.
ReplyDeleteLovely! People like you are why I love this day!
ReplyDeleteYes. I totally agree, and I'm sharing this. I love your heart.
ReplyDeleteAll good ideas!
ReplyDeleteWe should all think of our Friendships on this day too.
Happy Valentine's Day!
m.
I actually made someone's day this morning. I got the door for a lady, and told her 'Happy V Day.' She looked cranky and grumpy, and I instantly cheered her up.
ReplyDeleteThat was kind of fun...
When I was single and didn't have Valentine's plans, I bought cards and candy to pass out to my coworkers. Made the day a little more fun for all of us.
ReplyDeleteYep.
ReplyDelete(Because when you've already said all the right things in your post, there's nothing for me to add.)
XO.
Love this, you are absolutely right. Happy Valentines day
ReplyDeleteMan, you are so right -- I wish you had posted this a day or two ago. It's already after 5 PM now, time to go pick up the kids from their theatre rehearsal and enter the homework-dinner-bedtime crunch, and now I'm thinking about my valentine regrets. I'm going to put a reminder in my calendar for next year. Thanks for sharing this wonderful idea.
ReplyDeleteI'm not surprised in the least that you do this on Valentine's Day because you also do it on other days. I used to send/give Valentines and sign them "your secret admirer" because I got a card like that one year and IT MADE MY YEAR. Plus I got to guess who it was and make up the answer!!
ReplyDeleteI haven't done that in so long but your post reminds me it's time to start doing it again...so thanks for the prompt. xxoo
P.S. Happy Valentine's Day Baby E. I AM your secret admirer!!
Small acts of kindness mean just as much or more than the giant ones. This is heartfelt and sweet.
ReplyDeleteYou're right of course. I need to be less cynical of Valentine's Day and look at it as a way to share love with those who need it most.
ReplyDeletethis is wonderful! i have been on the receiving end of valentine kindness this year and have been so very grateful. xo
ReplyDeleteSo good to read a post like this after seeing all the cards and roses out on sale today. I was thinking about that today too - how lucky all those men are who are grabbing the last bouquets of flowers before heading home for dinner; they have someone waiting for them. I feel so, so blessed too, for all the Valentines in my life. But I do remember those many years when the day was only a cruel reminder of how lonely I was, and how terrified I was that the loneliness will never go away.
ReplyDeleteYou are so, so kind. =)
ReplyDeleteA very Happy Valentine's Day to you. I am fortunate to know you!
This is wonderful, Alexandra!
ReplyDeleteHope you and your boys had a good Valentine's Day!
You are such a wonderful, thoughtful person... raising your kids to be the same! Happy Valentine's Day, Alexandra!
ReplyDeleteMy husband had a volleyball game to go to do we had no plans...but when he came home from work he said "Would it be ok if I spent the night with Ken?" and it blew me away.
ReplyDeleteKen is going through a nasty separation. His wide moved 4 hours away. He bought her roses and all she said was "Quit trying so hard"...
Shawn wanted to hang out so he didn't feel alone.
That?
Is why I love my man.
And yes, I let him go.
You are so good, so inspirational. Not just with grand plans and theories but with real examples and gestures that we could all do.
ReplyDeleteHappy Valentine's to you,
xoxo
You share such love in this blog world I can only imagine the ways of your love in real life. What lucky people they are to know you.
ReplyDeleteCan't wait to read your review of the movie!
How wonderful to show your children what Valentine's Day is really about! What a great idea!
ReplyDeleteWhat a truly wonderful gesture . . . I really thought I had done yesterday for some in my life. I do go out of my way on another holiday . . . I just started getting things ready there.
ReplyDeleteThat said, I remember a "Diamonds, because she'll pretty much have to" mock commercial that always makes me laugh.
Such a wonderful idea. I should have done this.
ReplyDeleteYou are the nicest person ever! My husband and I actually celebrate valentines day in a very non-traditional way. No cards, no gifts, nothing except making the ordinary....extraordinary! We go to a fast food restaurant (we spent $8), sit and have each other's company and conversation.....that's it.
ReplyDeleteWe decided long ago that there were things more important than flowers and gifts and Valentines day was THE day to celebrate them...
However, NEXT year, I do believe I'll be buying a pack of cards and think of you...
I got weepy reading this.
ReplyDeleteThis is what makes you so special. These small moments you take and make wonderful for others.
Thank God for you.
You have such a beautiful heart. I love this. And I wish the meaning of Valentine's day could be changed to your definition. Or maybe we can create a new holiday? Or how about a whole month? Be Kind To People Month! I'm gonna go start that. :)
ReplyDelete