Today is obviously Valentine's Day. This morning I made my declarations of love to my significant others and went on with my day. I had to clean and prepare the house for my daughters and their friends coming to spend the weekend. My thoughts weren't running along the lines of all the flowers, candles and champagne floating across every mode of media today. My own heart just wasn't in it. While vacuuming I began thinking about my friend who lost her husband suddenly one day ago. I started crying. Cried through the vacuuming. Sadly dusted all the rooms, crying some more while remembering my own losses. Cried again through the noon news. Went out to chop ice and tried to take a walk. I didn't get very far before the tears came again. Soon it was time for yoga. I couldn't wait to get there so I went to the 4:30 class instead of the 6:15. I rocked the class posture wise, but as soon as we hit the floor I was sobbing into my towel. It's a good thing this is hot yoga and tears pass for sweat.
I came home and sat down with my shake – all I felt like for dinner tonight. I was hoping to lose myself in a book and hang out in someone else's life for the evening, but I opened my inbox before I opened my kindle. It was flooded with obituaries. Another teacher from my school just passed away, too. All I could think of was melted chocolate for this Valentine's Day.
I didn't cry. Instead I remembered something I read this morning:
"Today, let gratitude be your strength."
~ Tom Walsh
I'm going to end the day, not in tears, but in gratitude for those I am blessed to have in my life to love. I know that once those five girls arrive tomorrow night, I won't have time to be sad about anything. My husband and will love them and love our time together.
One other thing I do love today is the thought of gratitude as a source of strength. Looking back at those I sent love declarations to this morning and being thankful for them, changed my thoughts. Changing my thoughts changed how I feel. There's something warm and smooth about melted chocolate.
I hope your Valentine's Day was a happy one. Hug those you love and give thanks for them.
And so, as another Valentine's day passes, prayers for those in pain, love and gratitude for those close to my heart, and…I have written.
So glad both of my girlies are coming home this weekend! Yay! (My first "yay" of the day!)
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