It's All About Valentines

Happy Valentine's Day!  Do you recall the valentine that caused your heart to "flutter" rapidly, did you receive candy, flowers, other gifts, etc. on this day that can cause great joy as well as heartache? 


I can recall helping the kids with their boxes for school & we ARE NOT a creative group - that gene totally skipped our DNA, so the night before, we would start searching the house for a suitable box, try to think up a simple theme, get out the glue, construction paper, etc. & begin the "process".  By the time they (we) had completed a box for them, cut the top out (which has caused blood to flow because we saved that for last) & by that time we were high from "overgluing" trying to get it to hold together. I worked at school, so we would load up kids, boxes, & here we would go. The fussing would begin at about Erma Ralaford's house. Mom, he/she touched my box, now it's coming apart! I assured them if they would just hold on until we arrived, I would try to use what "influence" I had or what favors I could call in to get the art teacher/s to mend them in order to make them presentable. 


I always tried to park in back on these days because let me tell you, some of these kids (mothers) could come up with some dandies! I've seen works of art, construction pieces, themes; one year a kid in Loyd's class even decorated a small child's wagon! I don't know if any of the kids in the class spoke to him for the remainder of his school years, but it was something complete with an American flag. 


"Back in the day" as we fondly say, we would march up to Buck's Store shortly after Christmas, ask the ladies in the women's dept. to save us a large hat box. Each class had only one valentine box & of course, they wanted theirs to be the prettiest, the one that all other students, teachers, parents would  marvel over. We would begin to design, plan, fight over, collect our materials, get ready to create the valentine box. As I recall, one of my teacher's used it as a reward - whoever got their work, completed, behaved, etc. was allowed to work on "the box". Then, when it was our turn to work on it, we would whisper, giggle, point at the work of others & say sarcastically, boy, where did they get THAT idea? However, the Newcomer twins, who were rather quiet & quite artistic, could always cover up lots of mistakes (with suggestions from the lovely Carmaleen) & it seems to me in fond recollection that my class always had a lovely creation.


Also, during that time as my blogger teacher mentioned, we were allowed to send valentines to just those we chose. If we didn't want to send one to someone, we didn't, so I can recall checking to see if my "pile" was as large as the ones whom I considered to be popular. When my 4 were all still home, I practically had to eat less during valentine week (no comments please) to be able to get enough valentines & all the necessities for the occasion. Tammy came carrying in a large gift bag of "stuff" here yesterday; I thought mom was going to pass out when she saw the kids digging into the candy, books, videos, etc. that they probably left half of back in the room where they were playing.  After everyone left, she said, did I miss someone's birthday?  The times, they are a changin'! 


I certainly recall some of my faves & still have a few of them that varied sweethearts of mine have given me. Of course, ones from Ken. I have one that he forgot that it was Feb. 14, drove up in the driveway, one of the kids forewarned him, he rushed back to town & brought me a card with a sweet message signed by the "Cowman" which was his silly CB name (remember those in pickups)? It's a great day for FTD & florists deserve it, but don't send me flowers that will wilt & fade in a few days. I still love those handmade cards made by my kids, grandkids, kids in church, those are my treasures. Someone who will give you their heart in so many ways, someone who will love you with all your faults, flaws, failures, you are my sweethearts!  I THANK the One who loved me & all the rest with all His heart & provided that never ending love to all & for all -  love is indescrably sweet when shared with someone with a genuine heart of love!  ♥♥♥♥ to all, Barb