I have never been the biggest fan of Valentine’s Day, yet I kind of miss it now. People tend to simply sigh once it passes. Is that what love has come to? Like pumpkins at Halloween, turkey at Christmas or cake on a birthday, so too has chocolate resonated with the event of this day to become a tradition of February 14. Nothing else quite spells out the end to winter and goodbye to Christmas quicker than store shelves being cleared of mistletoes and candy canes; replaced by all things pink, heart-shaped or chocolate-filled. In Ancient Rome, Valentine was a saint who went against the orders of the day and performed secret marriages for young lovers. Though kind, he was executed for disobeying the law. The date of his demise is what is today celebrated as the day of hearts. In his memory, young lovers have since given notes to their intended, to remember the kindness of this wondrous sacrificing saint. It’s funny that today, young lovers need neither marriage nor the law to be together in the majority of countries around the world and yet the practice of secret notes (albeit in the shape of cards, texts and e-motions) continues. It seems we have forgotten one part of this ancient ritual and not the other — the romance of the event, over the factual parts. That is after all what Valentine’s Day is meant to resonate among us, romance for those we adore. A singular day where it is actually permitted to walk ever so gently on the wild side and send a loved one, an adoration or an acquaintance a secret gesture to state your having noticed them. Its true meaning forgotten, the modern Valentine’s Day, like so many events, has crossed borders and stereotypes to be a global day to show love from one person to another, even though today it comes in a form which is a little cliché and Disney-fied. Sadly, within our country the date has come to mean other things, not so loving. There was a time when I did not like all things pink and fluffy, red roses or the Hallmark clichés. However, wouldn’t it be nice for us to remind one another that love has many forms and that peace is the only way in which to reconcile all our differences? Perhaps the modern version of this event could be like the Christmases of the World Wars; a day to stop all arguments, one of truce, peace, and discussions on mutual grounds whereby an exchange of roses, words and chocolates were passed between parties. Valentine sacrificed himself so that others may live in the manner in which they wanted and never to be denied their love for one another. He believed in the freedom of speech and of the heart. Perhaps it’s about time we showed gratitude and allowed everyone to live in peace and harmony the world over, February 14 being the day we stop to consider such an option. We are one people, living on a singular planet, residing within the borders of a solitary country. For one day at least each year, our hearts should all beat with one common aim — one of peace, love and safety for us all. Happy Valentine’s Day girls! WoMentality By Hard-headed Woman Tired of waiting for anything special these days I prefer to merely buy myself a block of chocolate just to stop myself from feeling neglected, before, on or after the ‘day of hearts’. Sweet Valentine 56 | February 2013 www.womanthismonth.com
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy Mjk0MTkxMQ==