Valentine's Day

Well I have experienced my first holiday in a foreign country.  I have to say this is not really a big deal.  There were candy, balloons and flowers for sale on the streets, but other than that nothing was really made of the day.  A few people gave other people candy bars at the daycare, but that was all.  One thing they talked about at the daycare with the kids today is what you do for people if you love them.  The first thing they talked about is if you love someone you are their friend.  I found it really interesting that is was put this way instead of, if you are a person's friend, you love them.  The way they explained it to the kids is exactly how I think God would want it explained.  We are asked to love others and care for them and be their friends.  God does not ask us to only love the people we are friends with.  He asks us to love everyone and thus be their friend.  Smile at the person behind the fast food counter, say hello or good morning to a stranger, protect the helpless, stand up for someone being picked on, volunteer at a women's shelter, or help a stranger in need.  There are so many small things we can do to be a friend to someone we are called to love.  My Uncle Larry gave a homily at a wedding about "love" and how we have different meanings of love such as "I love pizza" and "I love my mom" and "I love my husband".  These are all different levels or intensities of love, that we use the same word for, and how in Latin there are different words for these loves to show that intensity.  His homily has stuck with me since that day and I reflect on it a lot.  I know that God calls us to love, with the most intense love, all people.  That means sacrificing for another person you may not agree with and may not even want to care for the same way you would sacrifice for your husband.  It means giving your time to the homeless man the same way you give it to your children.  These are very difficult things to do, but as I sit here waiting for Matt to come home on this Valentine's day thinking about how much I miss him when he is gone and how much I love him, I know I need to take these feelings and start caring for all people this way.  Everyone has good to bring to the world, and we need to cultivate that by truly loving them in that intense, "I will do anything for this person to be happy" kind of way.  I don't usually make a big deal about Valentine's day, but from now on I am going to use this day to remember to love people no matter what, and hopefully carry that throughout all days.  Happy Valentine's day everyone.