Valentine's Day

Sigh....Valentine's Day.  I'm not sure what to think of it anymore.  It's been years and years since I've felt the excitement of the holiday.  I really wanted to feel special this day and I set off on a quest.

So, first off, here's a link to the origination of Valentine's Day  http://www.essortment.com/valentines-day-origin-65103.html  Well, after reading that it originated as a pagan holiday worshipping the queen of the Roman gods and goddesses I sort of felt better about not feeling special on this day. 

Next I found interesting the comments from several of my facebook friends.  One said that Valentines was a holiday to get people to buy cards and candy, another said they didn't celebrate it, and still others offered encouragement that I would one day enjoy the holiday again.  What I didn't realize is how many people's lives I had touched in a positive loving way.  It was those comments that really put a spring in my step.

So, after all of this I'm still not sure what to think of it but here is my hope for the future:  to have someone that enjoys being treated like a queen and looks upon me as her knight in shining armor, not just on Valentine's Day but everyday.  I truly don't think this is a fairytale hope of mine.  I believe it is reality and the very essence of an eternal relationship.  Scrooge said in Dickens' timely classic "A Christmas Carol" I will honor Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year.  May I apply that to love, that if there is a special someone in my future, to them I promise the same, that I will keep the spirit of love in my heart and keep it all the year.

A Heaven of Diamonds

This Is Your Time music video

A couple of nights ago while taking my dogs for a walk I took time to look up and admire the Heaven of Diamonds that God has created.  I love to watch the stars and have many fond memories of them. 

I really think the first memory I have of stars is sitting around a campfire at Palisades State Park and hearing my grandfather naming the constellations.  Their names seemed so strange to me:  Cygnus, Ursa Major, the Seven Sisters.  I remember asking Grandpa to show me where they were at.  I'm not sure I was ever able to put them together but the memory remains of a campfire and a starlit sky. 

Next I remember sleeping out on the back lawn and my Dad laying out there pointing out the constellations.  Again, the names of Leo and Draco seemed odd but I was finally able to put them together into a shape with Dad's patient help. 

A couple of summers ago I went to Scout Camp with my son.  He had signed up for the Astronomy Merit Badge.  The clouds didn't cooperate with us the first few nights but finally on the last night we were able to see the stars.  The camp counselors didn't really know their constellations very well (it was only their second week in camp so I give them a pass).  However, upon returning home my son and I worked together to identify the constellations and major stars that he needed to pass off.  It was a fun time and once again rekindled my interest in the stars.

And then, as I mentioned, as I was out walking my dogs I took a This Is My Time moment and despite the cold I stood out and gazed at the heavens.  (I have to admit that my winter constellation knowledge is VERY limited because I don't like standing out in the cold.).  But it was a moment to be lived.

I really look forward to the summer when the nights are warmer and I can sit out, perhaps around a campfire, and watch the stars, find the constellations, ponder on God's majesty, and live the moment perhaps adding another fond memory of a starry sky.

Cold Weather and Hot Showers...moments to be lived!

O.K., I lived a moment today that I want to share.  First, check out this view from my office.  Looks nice and clear and sunny right?  It was.  It was a gorgeous day.  However, it didn't translate to warmth (it was 10 degrees) which I long for.  Anyway, I had some errands to run during my lunch hour so out I went.  Following my errands as I was walking back into the hospital I decided to live the moment.  So I pulled off my hood and turned my face toward the sun and took a deep breath and allowed the cold air to touch my face.  It was a wonderful moment!

Now, onto warmer thoughts.  Yesterday after my workout I was in the shower and loved feeling the water course over me.  I love HOT SHOWERS!  So, I've decided that every hot shower is going to be a moment to live and here are a couple of hot shower, or not so hot shower memories to explain why.  First, I served a mission in the Philippines and only had a hot shower a handful of times while I was there.  They were mostly bucket showers with cold water.  It was a shower for which I was thankful but still not a HOT SHOWER.  This past summer I decided to take a swim in Yellowstone Lake which has a water temp of around 40 degrees.  I remember following the swim that I went over to the showers at Fishing Bridge and had a nice long HOT SHOWER trying to restore my core temperature.  It was an awesome moment.  Did I mention that I love HOT SHOWERS!!!!!