Valentines - past, present and future

Fixed
by Vawm
Scrapbook.com

I have been doing a lot of self-examination in the past weeks. Father Armando Lopez at Ascension Parish gave a wonderful homily on experiences that open our heart. He spoke of difficult times that leave us angry because our prayers have not been answered. I can think of many instances in my life that have not worked out in the way I would have liked, especially in the past few years with the loss of my dad and illnesses.

In the last week, I have come to terms with the fact that I was holding on to these hurts and not being fully open to the love and happiness that is and should be in my life. Last Sunday, I had a reconciliation experience and my attitude has really changed and I feel happy inside.

So what does this have to do with Valentines? I have had so many good and honorable, imperfect people in my life. I am using my scrapbooking to tell their stories from my perspective. The layout above is of my mom's dad, Clifford Hall. He was one of my favorite people in the world. Grandpa Cliff was a firefighter for 42 years on the Everett (Washington) Fire Department and helped bring the emergency response units to Everett (EMT). He was a firm disciplinarian, but the most wonderfully kind person, who could be counted on to fix things and dedicate his time to his family and others. This is but one example of the special people in my life. Many of my past Valentines have passed from this life or are not in my life, but I have wonderful present Valentines and future Valentines.

So for today I am remembering the legacy of St. Valentine, who helped the poor and disenfranchised, and gave love and blessings to all he met. I can only strive to do the same each day.