Life Is More Than A Box Of Chocolates

A cold Valentines Day was made warm in people's hearts

Oskaloosa, Iowa – Valentines Day is that one time of the year when everyone that is significant to someone else is rewarded for that commitment. Couples flock to the nearest fine dining establishments, while florists rake in the green stuff by selling dozens of flowers with bows.

But its roots in history date back to a time when Christians were martyrs in the first century and by the 15th century it had evolved from a religious holiday to the day where lovers presented flowers, chocolates, and hand written cards, that have since become known as ‘Valentines’.

But on that day, while sitting and waiting for a meeting, I watched as a young woman made the cold walk up a snowed in cemetery drive to the place where someone she loved was laid to rest.

In that moment, Valentines Day took on a whole new meaning for me and reminded me that love isn’t just those we have with us now, but the loved that was shared at any time; past or present.

This woman, in her love for this person, took the time, on a day not traditionally known for cemetery visits, to go out to express herself and the love that had not died, but that continued living on within her, even though snow drifts and a cold wind would have driven most people away.

This kind of love became very obvious to me this week as my family mourned the loss of one of our own. The love she had for her family didn’t die with her; quite the opposite, the love of family was made more apparent by those left behind.

Families grow and move away, and many times they may disagree and there is confrontation. She had always been the peacemaker, and even in her passing, the love in her family was evident and obvious that it had been passed on. So even physical distance, and the distance of death won’t impact that love; it has even grown.

She may be gone now, but her legacy lives on, and with that the lesson of love and peace.