Valentine's Day - Love it or leave it.

Some people love it, others hate it. Valentine's Day! When couples celebrate the love they share for each other. I for one have always liked Valentine's Day. Even as a child I loved giving and receiving Valentines. 

Those that love it say..."it is a time for romance, a time for love." I agree. But isn't every day a time for romance? Maybe not but everyday we should most definitely remember to love. So how do we define "Love" 1 Corinthians 13 defines love pretty well. It says that love is patient, kind, not jealous, it does not envy. Webster defines "Love" as a feeling of strong constant affection. I can tell you right now, yes I have a love for my wife that is strong and constant. I also have a love for my children (including their spouses who I consider my children), and I am deeply in love with three little ladies that call me grandpa. To all of them I have a strong constant affection. I can't imagine my life without any of them.

So you see, romance is just a small part of Valentine's day. It is about remembering who we love in our life. It is about remembering who we have loved and who has loved us. It is a time to celebrate those who have touched our lives and made us a better person because of it. 

To the nah say'rs...Make this the best Valentine's Day ever! This year make it ALL about how much love you give to others. Remember the people that have loved you and give them a call, send them a card, buy them a small gift. Singles get together with other singles and party!! Celebrate being friends that truly care for one another. Don't allow yourself to wallow in self pity. Be proud of who you are and give give give love. Think of someone that may be in the same circumstances as you are and invite them to dinner. Visit the forgotten elderly and shower them with love. 

Valentine's day is really all about remembering. Remembering to show love, appreciation, kindness, gratitude for people who have touched our lives. Sure we all celebrate in different ways but the key is that we remember to let other know how much we care for them. 

So Happy Valentine's Day to all....

Guys....don't forget...go out right now and buy a card...make dinner reservations, flowers are nice too. (There are some guys that need reminders) 

Before you put away the Christmas tree

I'm sure that by now most of you have begun putting away your Christmas decorations. At my house we always wait until after the New Year arrives. The New Year is a time of reflection, planning and goal setting. It is a time we can think back on our joy and sadness, our wins and loses that have shaped us and molded us into the person we are.

As we reflect, we can decide what to keep in our life and what to take away. We get to choose what changes we want to make that will help us achieve happiness. If we really look at what makes us happy we have the opportunity to make that choice. In essence we can choose to be happy, and consequently choose NOT to be sad.

Yes there are things in life that make us sad but we have the power within us not to allow the sadness to over take our lives. I find comfort in knowing who I am and what I believe. For me, Christ is the foundation of my happiness. 

As I was thinking about this, I began to stare at our Christmas tree. I discovered that the ornaments told the story of our lives. The happiness we have shared with our family. The story even told us of those we've lost and miss. The first baby rattle that all of our children used. Little stockings with each our children's names on them. New stockings with our Grandchildren's names. Ornaments from vacations and places we've visited. The first ornaments our children made and again new ones our grandchildren made. Our interests and accomplishments can be told through the ornaments of our family tree. Many memories reminding me of the blessings life has given.

A lifetime of joy and happiness we've shared together. The bright star on the top represents hope for the future that can be found through Him. Continued  happiness that we choose to look forward to. Happy New Year everyone! Make 2016 you're best year yet.