Sheila's Dribs 'n Drabs

 It's Valentine's day! Yay! Let's dream of love and romance and all the things we need to make a relationship last... It's Ash Wednesday! Yay! Let's dream of love and sacrifice and all the things we need to make a relationship last... My mum (age 95) plans to walk five times around the garden each day during Lent. She's going to give up chocolate too. My pastor will give up after-the-sermon chats. And me? I know I'm dreaming of love today--the earthly love of a spouse caring for me when I've broken my wrist--the heavenly love of my creator who came to earth to live in a human body--the love that shines on a cloudy day, glints warmth from snow, reigns hope. For Lent, I'll try to remember I'm not in control (of the weather, politics, global warming, human sexuality, or anything else that everyone talks about). Neither is anyone else. I'll try to remember there's a God who will make it all work out. And I'll love my neighbor, whatever th...

Ah Valentine, my Valentine, With beating heart, ah love of mine, With veins so rich and red, I’ll mine Your treasures, Valentine, my Valentine.

Roses are red Dying frozen and still. Violets shiver With cold on the hill. Valentines whimper. Words are unwilled Unlike roses, Unread Unfulfilled.

Valentine’s dinner was warming and fine, sipping wine while we dined on luxury and spice. Valentine’s chocolates were good but reminded me, should lose a few of those pounds that the winter enticed. Valentine’s flowers bloomed long but they died. And what’s left, what lasts, no surrender, is Valentine’s love.

On visiting he gave them Roses, pink for gratitude; Her parents said “We think he’s nice.” Sweet yellow roses greeted Her return from distant parts While lavender enchantment started Rumors and the flame of his desire Was orange bright. They wed with white. For Valentines He’ll give a rose tonight.