Monday, February 14, 2011

Valentine's Day 2011

The art work of my beloved friend Laurel Gaylord (lo)
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Click to enlarge. It's worth it.

This is a poem by Mary Tall Mountain. I offer it to you on this Valentine's Day because I have a feeling it will soothe your heart, as it does mine, whatever your circumstance.

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I was 15 when I received my first serious valentine.
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It was a beautiful card with roses and pastel colors on the outside and a question written in beautiful cursive letters: A valentine question to the one I love, it said.
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I opened the card and there, attached by a little half inch spring, was a jumpy gorilla, asking Wanna Wrestle?
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I kept that card from my boyfriend for years afterwards. In college, when I had no boyfriend and valentine days came and went, I would remember what it felt like to be part of the couples valentine crowd. It was important to me at the time, not having, not getting a valentine.
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I did not re-enter that exclusive club until my senior year in college, when I met my ex-husband and gratefully rejoiced in the fact that he was a college graduate and he was handsome.
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I learned later that there was more substance required of a good relationship than that.
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And I learned later still that valentines come in different ways from different people and from different kinds of love.
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I've received four valentine cards this year. I sent out seven of my own. I know what a valentine means to me because I've stepped away from the commercialization of love and stepped into my own authentic version. Thankfully.
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And this poem by Mary Tall Mountain?
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'We never leave eachother.

When does your mouth

say goodbye to your heart?'

Happy Valentine's Day Dad. Willa. Renee. Anne. Chris. Baby Boy. Even you with the barbed words.

love
kj

21 comments:

  1. ♥Happy Valentine's Day♥
    Yes all these days always have mixed feelings.
    Hope you got my card otherwise know it is trying to get to you through all that heavy snow.
    Beautiful post KJ!
    Just know that you are loved and include me in those who do.

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  2. marianne, i got your card and i hope you got mine to you. and what you said about being loved: likewise and ditto. ♥

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  3. Awww it doesn't mean much to me these days but I used to get beautiful flowers from Ray on Valentines day. Actually I used to get flowers every Friday. Buy my own these days. But I am loved and that's all that matters. Hope it was a good one.

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  4. I did a double-take because I knew I didn't do a post! haha, fun seeing my art on other blogs.

    I love this poem and I love what you said about coming into love authenticly. And big of you, oh kind hearted woman to include the barbed tongue in your blessings.

    That's SO you.

    Happy love day♥♥♥

    See you soon malamute!

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  5. Wishing you sweetness and light and a gurilla hug on ♥ Day!

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  6. Happy Valentines friend!!Sending you the warmest and biggest of hugs..the best way to spend this kind of day..telling those you care..how wonderful they are..and you are..wonderful.Big Hugs,Cat

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  7. hells, aw, hells. you are most definitely loved and you know to count me in that lovefest. reading this about ray and your friday flowers mays me sad. i want you to have this, you deserve it. i sent you a valentine,dear friend. i'm glad i did. so what if it doesn't arrive until easter...? :) xoxox

    lo, do you know much i look forward to and love your comments? ♥

    vicki, me too ♥

    lynn, hahahaha! thanks :)

    cat, do you know what tsup! means? it's the sound of smacked lips throwing a kiss. TSUP!my friend. happy valentine's day to you too

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  8. Happy Valentine's Day Kj. Love.xoxo

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  9. happy valentines day :)
    to a sweetheart of a friend. a dozen roses to you and your generous, love filled soul.

    :)

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  10. so what's the next holiday n the calendar? I seem to have spent my valentines with two hounds.

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  11. What a beautiful post, really deep and loving! So sorry I've taken so long to write you. Your always a beautiful heart! Your so right about valentines! I didn't get any valentine cards while in school. I looked like a boy and wasn't into the same life as everyone else so was a little bit of a wierd kid to everyone. I so enjoy the valentines my hubby gives me. They're so special becuase of his love for me.
    It was well worth waiting for.
    Hope you had an amazing valentine KJ!
    Loads of love!
    Julie

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  12. thanks for these valentine thoughts. i never got around to sending cards or even posting on THE day. somehow it just slips by me. blessings, suki

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  13. Ah, "there is no word for goodbye." That is so achingly beautiful, kj, something to hold on to.
    I love the dog! His big brown eyes are looking right into mine! (btw, are you watching the Westminster Dog Show?)
    Love, me ♥

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  14. Back from my trip! Valentine's Day was wonderful! And, to come home to your adorable card....and knowing WHO created it, was like receiving A DOUBLE HUG!

    Lots to tell.....let's talk soon!

    So HAPPY you liked me card!!!!!!!!

    MUWAH,

    ♥ Cupcake ♥

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  15. Happy Valentine's Day!
    I hope you had a great day with your loved ones.
    Beautiful poem... and I smiled at your story of your first Valentine's Day card.:-)

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  16. lori, you are also a sweetheart of a friend. i am so glad of that!

    mark, two hounds? i call jb peapod sometimes, but hound seems a bit of a stretch for a beloved spouse, don't you think? or....am i confusing the beings you love? hee hee

    julie ann, how great to hear from you! thank you! i alwsys think it's so great when someone didn't fit in in school and then has the best and happiest life. divine justice!

    suki, nothing wrong with just making a regular day of it ♥

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  17. hello margaret! i thought it was beautiful amd something to hold on to too. i found immediate comfort when i read this poem ♥

    robin! welcome back! i can't wait to hear it all. i loved my card totally. loved it! thank you!

    sidney, i am so glad we have reconnected. ♥

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  18. Dear KJ, The poem is insightful dearest....I know there are no goodbyes but...the words made me miss our dear Renee...

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  19. chrisy, me too.how could we not think of renee? she would have loved this poem, i think she would have put it on her blog. how are your ♥'s chrisy? what a great series you've done. xoxox

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