A Valentine's Day Wish

 Valentine's Day is a sweet, sentimental observance when we try to do something special for or with someone we care deeply about. It's a nice time to plan a special meal together or to present your significant other with a thoughtful gift. Of course, traditionally the gift is flowers and candy or jewelry, and that's lovely, no doubt. But sometimes a hand-written note or a poem means a lot, too, or even a pretty card with a meaningful message. For a friend or someone you don't interact with often, a text or phone call might be just what that person needs to feel special. You never know.

I received this image from Cousin Ora yesterday, and I though it was so pretty I wanted to share it. I've known about quilling, which is an old-time paper craft, but I've never actually tried it. Sometimes the simplest materials make the most striking art. This design was done by a Vietnamese artist. That would be a lovely Valentine gift!

Here are some other possibilities, but somehow they don't live up to the romantic notion of Valentine's Day, although I suppose if presented in the right way, something like one of these might be impressively romantic . . . ?

First is a heart-shaped watermelon. Apparently Japanese farmers are growing these as a specialty item. I wonder if they taste like a regular watermelon, or maybe they have managed to make them extra sweet. Hmmmm.

The next picture is of a potato. Now, if this was served to me with a nice dollop of sour cream, alongside a thick, medium rare steak with a glass of wine, I'd be very happy. Never mind a fancy dessert - toss in a crisp salad and I'm good. I rarely eat steak anymore (the red meat, heart-healthy thing), so that would be a real treat.

Then there's this cloud. It looks authentic, although pictures are photo-shopped every day and it's sometimes impossible to tell. I would just say that this photographer was lucky to catch it at just the right moment, because clouds are ever-changing. I bet within a minute or two it had reshaped into something else - maybe a  sailing ship or a swan, or just stretched out and disappeared. However, it would definitely be a very meaningful moment to see this with someone special by your side. I'd say much more romantic than a heart-shaped fruit or vegetable. An omen such as that, literally out of the blue, would be hard to ignore!

My Valentine's Day message for you, my friends is, find something special to do with someone special. What can be better than that? I can hear some of you saying, first I need to find someone special. So sure, but that's not so hard. There are lots of special people in our lives that would appreciate a message of friendship (or love) and Valentine's Day is the perfect time to do that. But we should all try to reach out to someone each day with a message or some small kindness. These are trying times; we all need a little t.l.c. Above all, hold your loved ones close -- on Valentine's Day and Every Day.