Well, today is Valentine's Day and, to me, it has always been something I thought of as a celebration of single people. Having been single for most of my adult life, Valentine's Day tends to be thrown in my face as a day to say, "Hey, you are single, so your life sucks because you do not have someone to go out and spend a lot of money on in celebration of love." I mean, seriously, love is something that should be celebrated daily, not once a year on a day that is put on the calendar so candy companies and card manufacturers can make boatloads of money.
So, with that being said, I will delve into the shallow gene pool I have mentioned so many times and pontificate on Valentine's Day.
Embedded in many of our customs and holidays is a mixture of pagan and biblical principles. Saint Valentine’s Day is no exception. Mystery surrounds who Valentine really was. He was probably a priest martyred in 269 AD in Rome. Among Roman Catholics, he is called the patron saint of affianced couples, beekeepers, epilepsy, fainting, greetings, happy marriages, love, lovers, plague, travelers, and young people. He is one busy - albeit confused - man! Another legend traces the name to Jacob Valentine, a 15th Century priest known for his generosity and devotion. He gave gifts to people in winter in an attempt to bring couples together. It usually worked and he became the patron saint of lovers.
As the years went by, more people were married in February than in any other month, making it natural for Valentine's Day to become a February holiday. The 14th was established, because it normally falls around the time of the full moon. Although, not always, as this year it fell during a waning moon. Ancient legend said that love is found under the stars during the third full moon of winter. Hence, the creation of St. Valentine's Day. The St. was removed during the 19th century, when it developed mainly as a fun day for children and cute cards developed in 1830 to celebrate the day, and when the Catholic church reformed who became saints and wanted to separate themselves from anything pagan.
I do not know if it is still done today, but when I was in elementary school, everyone gave cards to everyone else in class, regardless of gender.
Here in the Western world, the emphasis is on human expressions of love and friendship. That is certainly important and, when guided by biblical principles, a godly ardor worth commemorating.
A few years ago, there was a television program called "Kids Say The Darndest Things." I always found it funny. It has been said that little children are always honest to a fault.
I recently sat in on a program at the library where children were discussing the topic of love. Just in time for Valentine's Day, right? Here are the answers they gave. I have called it "A Child's Eye View of Love."
One of the people has freckles, so he finds somebody else who has freckles too. (Andrew, age 6)
No one is sure why it happens, but I have heard it has something to do with your smell...that's why perfume and deodorant are so popular. (Mae, age 9).
I think you're supposed to get shot with an arrow or something, but the rest of it isn't supposed to be so painful. (Manuel, age 8).
Falling in love is like an avalanche where you have to run for your life. (John, age 9).
If falling in love is anything like learning how to spell, I don't want to do it. It takes too long. (Glenn, age 7).
If you want to be loved by someone who isn't already in your family, it doesn't hurt to be beautiful. (Anita, age 8).
It isn't always just how you look. Look at me, I'm handsome like anything and I haven't got anybody to marry me yet. (Brian, age 7).
Beauty is skin deep. But how rich you are can last a long time. (Christine, age 9).
Love is the most important thing in the world, but baseball is pretty good too. (Greg, age 8).
People in love are mooshy...like puppy dogs...except puppy dogs don't wag their tails nearly as much. (Arnold, age 10).
All of a sudden, the people get movie fever, so they sit together in the dark. (Sherm, age 8).
Lovers hold hands because they want to make sure their rings don't fall off because they paid good money for them. (Gavin, age 8).
Lovers hold hands because they are just practicing for when they might have to walk down the aisle someday and do the holy matchimony thing. (John, age 9).
I'm in favor of love as long as it doesn't happen when "Dinosaurs" is on television. (Jill, age 6).
Love is foolish...but I still might try it some time. (Floyd, age 9).
Yesterday, I kissed a girl in a private place...we were behind a tree. (Carey, age 7).
Love will find you, even if you are trying to hide from it. I been trying to hide from it since I was five, but girls keep finding me. (Dave, age 8).
I'm not rushing into being in love. I'm finding fourth grade hard enough. (Regina, age 10).
Sensitivity don't hurt. (Robbie, age 8).
One of you should know how to write a check. Because, even if you have tons of love, there is still going to be a lot of bills. (Ava, age 8).
Don't say you love somebody and then change your mind. Love isn't picking what movie you want to watch. (Natalie, age 9).
Be a good kisser. It might make your wife forget that you never take out the trash. (Dave, age 8).
Don't forget your wife's name. That will mess up love. (Erin, age 8).
I kissed a boy on the playground and he liked it. (Nathan, age 7).
Spend most of your time loving instead of working. (Dick, age 7).
If it's your mother, you can kiss her anytime. But, if it's a new person, you have to ask permission. (Roger, age 6).
It's never okay to kiss a boy. They always slobber all over you. That's why I stopped doing it. (Tammy, age 10).
Romantic adults are usually all dressed up, so if they are just wearing jeans, it might mean they used to go out or they just broke up. (Sarah, age 9).
Lovers will just be staring at each other and their food will get cold. Other people care more about the food. (Bart, age 9).
You learn kissing on the spot when the gooshy feelings get the best of you. (Brian, age 7).
Children really do say the most interesting things.
For what it is worth, I hope everyone reading this enjoys time with their loved ones, because that is really what is important. Life is too short to worry about the unimportant things.
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