Saturday, February 14, 2009

love...

Today is Valentine's Day. This day is a favorite of mine. I find joy in day that reminds us of those we love and the things we love about them.

I use the word "love" often in casual conversation. "I love this tote." "I love that fabric." "I love this color." "I love that flower." "I love this music." Well, the list goes on and on... Sometimes I wonder by repeating the word so often if I'm rendering it meaningless. I hope not. I do feel great affection and enthusiasm for many things. I suppose that could be one meaning of love.

There are two things, however, that I love passionately, protectively, and most completely. My family and my faith.

I wish everyone could feel, as I do, that they have been blessed with the most wonderful family in the world. This world would be a better place if that was so. I was fortunate to be raised by a mother and father who obviously loved each other and their three children. The value of such an upbringing cannot be measured. People talk of legacies left to their children. The greatest legacy of all is "love." My most complete moments of happiness are found when I am surrounded by my own family -- my husband, my children, and my grandchildren. Nothing else comes close.

My faith is something that is tucked deep in my heart. Because it is occasionally misunderstood or purposefully maligned, I am protective of it. However, because it has brought so much happiness into my life, it is the one thing in my life that I most love to share. A dichotomy to be sure.

I hope that today you can find a million and one things to love. I also hope that you will find those people that mean the most to you and share your love more fully with them.

Happy Valentine's Day.