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While driving down the street the other day, something made me slow down. As I came upon what had suddenly caught my attention, I immediately braked. Right there in the middle of the street.
Before me was a house outlined in pink, red and white lights. These were certainly not remnants of the Christmas season. This was something altogether new. This was different.
I took one last look and continued on my way so as not to cause a collision. But it wasn't two blocks later that I noticed another home with a large pink tree in the front corner window. Again, I stopped. No one was behind me so I was not impeding traffic. In all my 52 years, I have never seen a pink tree. Actually, it is quite beautiful. Again, not an unforgotten Christmas decoration still requiring attention.
A few blocks later ... you guessed it -- another house where the owner took time to hang in their front window four intertwined hearts lit in the color theme of Valentine's Day.
When did people start decorating for this holiday? I apparently didn't get that memo. Did we not just take down our Christmas decorations?
Well, at least some of us did. (Please don't judge me.)
Anyway, this got me to thinking about Feb. 14. A day I would much rather forget. It's the time of year I could simply do without. Many people love Valentine's Day. Couples celebrating with dinners in fancy restaurants, receiving bouquets of roses and sometimes gifts of diamond jewelry. It's receiving a card expressing a partner's undying love for the other. A day to inform your significant other how much they are loved and appreciated.
For me, it is merely a reminder that I will not be the recipient of any of the above. There has never been a Valentine's Day in which I was given a gift. From anyone. Ever.
Well, that's not true. My grandma never once failed to get me a heart-shaped cake from Big Bear. It was one of those smaller, individual cakes decorated with pink and red roses in the heart-shaped, foiled pan. Every one of her grandchildren received a cake. What's more, she never failed to make the trip to Wintersville to purchase them. Except once. I believe she was going through her chemotherapy and was too sick to make the drive.
She felt so awful about us not receiving a cake that she asked my mom if she would go and buy the cakes for us.
Of course, my mom obeyed her mother's wish and delivered the cakes to the grandchildren.
Now, I am the ultimate cake fan. I could literally eat cake for every meal of the day for the remainder of my life.
But this cake from Big Bear? I could have done without one. I didn't care for its taste or how the bakery employee decorated it. And yet, it was without a doubt the most beautiful and perfect cake I have ever eaten. I was beyond grateful each and every year that she took the time to think of us, despite how she was feeling. I miss her terribly.
But yes, I can definitely do without Valentine's Day. For some of us, it is only a reminder of what we were not blessed with. And it hurts.
I never understood why we needed to set aside a day of the year to tell someone we love them. To let someone know how much we value the relationship and express that love by purchasing expensive, unnecessary gifts. Shouldn't people be told how much they are loved every single day? Shouldn't we take one minute out of the 24 hours we are given to say to someone how important they are to our life?
For those needing that small reminder, please call, text, Facetime or show up and tell those who you could not live a moment without, how much you adore them. How much their presence in your life means and how significant they are to your happiness. Tell them continuously ... please. Before we are living in those moments without them.
(Stenger is the community editor of the Herald-Star and Weirton Daily Times.)