The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.
By Elaine Slater Reese (Spring Green, Wi.)
Valentine's Day - cards, flowers, candies, hearts, ribbons, and bows. It's one of the big money makers for the companies that supply these items.
It's often a tear-jerker for those who don't receive any of them. And it is definitely a big headache for the males who forget their duty or who don't give the right gift.
This day has become so commercialized that the word LOVE itself doesn't seem to really be of great importance. Each of us has developed our own definition of love.
We have experienced some form of it - whether it be loving a little kitty or puppy, our first realization that boys and girls are different, our first "real" love as a teenager, our spouse for life, our own children, or our aging parents.
Through the years, as our society has changed, so has love. Ads, movies, music, selfishness, the world, so many things have altered each of our hearts.
We often think of some others as selfish, hard-hearted, uncaring. Can anyone today possibly listen to or watch the local, national, and international news without having to face the fact that not only America but the whole world is in a lot of trouble?
It is very difficult to put a positive perspective on all this. At times there seems to be no hope, no answers. History tells us that there have been periods when other civilizations felt like we do now.
We must each make our own choice. Will we throw our hands up in despair and give up? Or will we choose to do what we can - whether large or small to make this world - our world- a better place?
For my choice, there is Matthew 22:37 in the New Testament. Jesus said,
"Love the Lord your God with all your heart and all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself." What is your choice? Whom do you love?