On Wednesday morning I awoke before the alarm and laid in bed surfing my memories. I was in Miss Snell’s, second grade class. Since I was not very good with scissors, my shoebox valentine box looked shabby. I don’t recall whether it was a class rule, but every kid got a card from each member of our class.
Now, this required labor. We had to punch out a card, write our name on the back, stuff it in a miniature envelope and address it. Of course, there were only five choices of valentines, meaning at least 4 or 5 students would receive an identical card from me. I agonized about the one for Meice–the love of my life. I chose a bear holding a heart–it’s message: Be my valentine. I underlined “BE.”
When the time came to open our valentines, the boys were busily eating homeroom mom cupcakes, and we girls were searching for the one card from our love. I read and reread the nondescript message from Meice. I cherished it.
At 11:00 AM Wednesday, I went to my hair dresser appointment and in our conversation shared my memory. Her response: “My husband doesn’t like Valentine’s Day.”
Wow! Who doesn’t? “What is up with that, Addie?”
“Chip went to a small, rural elementary school in Iowa. Chip was short, with a slight build. When he opened his shoebox, he’d have one or two cards. Others would have many.”
Hmm. Hard to believe. Today Chip is a beefcake, highly successful entrepreneur. However, even at 50 years old, he is a broken little boy, due to the unconscious cruelty of other children. Had I known this story I would have sent Chip a box of chocolates!
Unfortunately, my Valentine’s Day got worse: Parkland, Florida. Seventeen children and faculty assassinated by a sick 19-year-old with an AK-15. My pleasant memories of February 14th have been shattered forever.
When is enough, enough?
Me thinks there is a substantial percentage of American consumers, who are so gullible they pay outrageous prices for routine items. Of course, my daughters are in that group. To me, a handbag or wallet fulfills a need. To them, it is a fashion statement. So I ask you: when was the last time you ogled someone’s wallet at the store checkout? When was the last time you coveted someone’s choice of paper towels or toilet paper? When was the last time you envied someone’s plastic bottle of water?
Dr. Suze Espouses 