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Re-remembering Valentine’s Day – Love IS All You Need
By Neil Peterson | February 14, 2009
Over the past several years, I have noticed a curious trend in the aisles of my local drugstore. As soon as all of the Christmas merchandise is moved to the clearance section (rough estimates indicate this happens on or very close to January 2nd) the shelves are rapidly filled with red things, pink things, a combination of the two and many of which are either covered with heart icons, or shaped like a heart. And following closely on the heels of this drugstore “love takeover,” TV commercials for jewelry, florists, and romantic getaways pop up during the nightly news, and run all the way through prime time. The message is that Valentine’s Day is coming. And you better do something about it, lest your loved ones feel that your sentiments aren’t quite up to par.
Of course, by the time February 14th actually does roll around, all the shopping, stress, and anticipation can make it seem . . . a little bit removed from the holiday’s original intent – to show the people you love how much you love them. I think it’s time we reconsider just how we want to do that.
Sales figures show that Americans are certainly not Valentine’s Day Scrooges. In Februaries past, we loved giving boxes of chocolates, bouquets of roses, and all manner of things that come in small, velvet boxes. However, this year predictions are that America will celebrate in a not so commercial way. In tough economic times, however, we can give each other something a little less tangible, and a lot more valuable – our time together.
Work responsibilities, raising children, financial concerns – all distract us from each other and come to dominate our conversations. Perhaps this difficult period will afford us the opportunity to reshape our Valentine’s Day celebration of love; by remembering why we love those with whom we are closest and taking the time to share it with them. I still believe that a simple “I love you” is the greatest gift we can give each other.
All You Need is Love
But that being said, I must confess I’m not totally immune to the powers of Valentine’s Day marketing. I’m still a sucker for those pink and red cards filled with sentiments of love. So Happy Valentine’s Day to you and those you love, however you choose to share it.
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Topics: General, Inspiration | 1 Comment »
February 15th, 2009 at 9:59 pm
I hope you have it-Love.
Belate Valentine!
Me