Valentines, Birthdays, Love, and More

Sooooooooo… I am now sixty-three years old. Actually, I was sixty-three when I fell asleep this morning—at least according to the story (legend?) of my birth. I suppose that my birthday party—i.e., Tasha buying and serving me a birthday cake—was held at noon yesterday

I am most thankful to Tasha! Through recent years, I have truly disliked being alone on my birthday. Should I pretend that yesterday was my birthday ‘cause no one is coming to visit today? No! My birth is intrinsically linked to Saint Valentine’s Day!

There are others who also celebrate their birthdays today. Perhaps you may remember that Tasha's son, Gregory, who suffers from Sickle Cell Anemia, was born one year ago today.

Happy Birthday, little Gregory! May God bless and watch over you.

Happy Birthday, Everyone who celebrates their birth this day!

There are many folks who do not like Saint Valentine’s Day. Some, including me, are appalled by the commercialism attached to it. Others are sad and resentful because they feel unloved and feel left out of the festivities. Many simply reject the concept of romantic love.

Being born on the day that, according to legend, Bishop Valentinus (Saint Valentine the Presbyter in the Eastern Orthodox Church, whose Feast Day is celebrated on July 6^th) was executed outside the Flaminian Gate in 269, 270, or 273 C.E. for marrying Christian couples and otherwise aiding Christians who were at the time being persecuted by the Roman Emperor Claudius, I personally connect Valentine’s Day with love. Not just romantic eros, but every form of love.

When we are young, we believe that there is only one form of love. As we grow older, we are taught that the English word love refers to many things that other peoples differentiate with special words, such as the in the language of the ancient Greeks: eros, philia, xenia, storge, agape. When we mature, we understand that, in reality, there is only one form of love, for all love comes from the same Source.