Hearts and Flowers - NOT!

You can't escape the fact that today is Valentine's Day. Although I've stayed at home with my poorly daughter, it has been on the radio, the internet and in practically every e-mail I have received. I am sure it's all over the TV channels too.

I am one of those who abhor the fact that it has become so commercial, and because of that, tend to view the whole thing with some cynicism. I am also married to someone who feels the same, so if flowers or a card were delivered to the house I would be wondering who they were from - or did my parents send them? I remember once at home in Zambia my two sisters and I each received an anonymous card which had been left on the stoep (verandah) by person or person's unknown. I have no idea whether my parents were involved, but we discounted them at the time, as that was the first and only time it happened. Who knows? And if our secret admirer/admirers ever read this, thank you for giving us a little thrill. I think it was the fact that we never knew who had written them which made it so special. Any Valentine's cards I received after that weren't so exciting, because I knew who they were from. Sad that!

Into adulthood and the cards dried up. I didn't miss them. I have come to the conclusion I would rather have someone be kind and considerate to me and treat me well than have them waste money on a card and over-priced flowers.

But if the florist's van pulled up outside my house on this or any other day, I surely would not turn it away! Happy Valentine's Day!