Preoccupied with thoughts about upcoming deadlines and scattered errands during my early-morning walk, I didn’t see the young girl and older gentleman walking ahead until they were close enough for me to hear them discussing the big red box.
“It’s big, but it’s not heavy, Grandpa. There’s nothing in it except 25 small cards I made myself,” I heard the girl say while pushing back on her grandfather’s offer to carry the box.
It was Valentine's Day, and the almost-empty box was sealed with a white satin ribbon. Looking back, I remember feeling sad, imagining the young girl’s disappointment when the big box remained “almost empty” compared to classmates with shoebox-size Valentine boxes filled with cards.
As they kept stepping forward, I became aware of others around us—neighborhood pedestrians and drivers who were also watching the grandfather and the granddaughter, and the big red box.
I don't know what others were thinking but some may have remembered a youthful notion about no box big enough to hold all the Valentines they expected. And maybe some, like me, were remembering the acceptance and guidance received from an elder.
The little girl and her grandfather reminded us about year-round Valentines that have little to do with romantic dinners, greeting card companies or florists, and more to do with the thought that when we don't receive what we consider enough loving care, we don't have to wait for others. We can pamper ourselves.
Happy Valentine’s Day…everyday.
SWEET-HEART COOKIES
1/2 pound butter
2/3 cup sugar
3 egg yolks, beaten
2 tablespoons milk
1/2 teaspoon almond extract
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 1/2 cups flour
Cream butter and sugar together with a mixer on medium speed. Blend in beaten egg yolks, milk and extracts. Add flour slowly to form a stiff dough. Refrigerate dough at least one hour. Heat oven to 350 degrees. Roll dough about 1/8-inch thick. Use a medium heart-shaped cookie cutter to shape dough. Bake just until hearts begin to lightly brown around the edges, about 12 to 15 minutes. Makes about 3 dozen cookies.
Dear Family, Thanks for the Memories...some Valentine's Day, some any day, many every day!
All my love, Pat