AMAZON

Saturday, February 14, 2009

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 6th) 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.







45 comments:

  1. Happy B-Day Nick. And to Gregory too. Have a wunnerful day, my good man. Cheers to ya!!

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  2. Happy Birthday! Today is my mom's birthday, too. And her maiden name is Hartz. Have a good one.

    Meg

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  3. Happy birthday, Nick. You wrote as beautiful essay on love.

    Happy birthday to Tasha's baby. too.

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  4. Happy Birthday, Nick!!!!! I hope you enjoy today, regardless of what it brings, it is the day that you came into this world.

    It's true that God is love. There really is one love and that is it. Our whole world is based on it. I wish more people would live that way.

    Bless you and may this year be the best yet.

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  5. HAPPY BIRTHDAY, Nick.

    You certainly have the right song in your mind today! My you receive Bob Dylan's blessings and remain forever young:

    May God bless and keep you always
    May your wishes all come true
    May you always do for others
    And let others do for you
    May you build a ladder to the stars
    And climb on every rung
    May you stay forever young
    Forever young, forever young
    May you stay forever young.

    May you grow up to be righteous
    May you grow up to be true
    May you always know the truth
    And see the lights surrounding you
    May you always be courageous
    Stand upright and be strong
    May you stay forever young
    Forever young, forever young
    May you stay forever young.

    May your hands always be busy
    May your feet always be swift
    May you have a strong foundation
    When the winds of changes shift
    May your heart always be joyful
    And may your song always be sung
    May you stay forever young
    Forever young, forever young
    May you stay forever young.

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  6. May this day be a blessing to you, Rev. Nick, as you are a blessing to others.

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  7. What a great video!!! And you share a birthday with that cutiepie???

    I'm wishing you a WONDERFUL day and in hopes that you get spoiled endlessly by your friends & loved ones with warm wishes and happy thoughts!

    63! The magic number! :)

    God bless, Nick and Happy Birthday!!!

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  8. Happy birthday SSNick :) Hope your day is great and filled with surprises!

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  9. Happy Birthday and Happy Valentine's Day, too!

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  10. What a very special Valentine you were for your mom and dad! And you are still a special valentine for the world.

    Happy Birthday to sweet, little Gregory, too.

    Much LOVE to you this special day, Nick.

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  11. Happy Birthday Nick. My brothers birthday was last month, my sisters is the end of this month so that is the closest we come. I am glad you had that nice celebration yesterday. Sure wish someone were coming over today. Instead I hope a virtual visit will do.

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  12. Happy Birthday again, Nick. I like the message of the post very much. :)

    And Happy Birthday to little Gregory, too. How nice of his momma to bring you the cake and sing to you! What a special lady she must be!

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  13. I hope that you & Alex have a fun day celebrating your birthday, Saintly Nick!

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  14. With friends all over Blogland, I'm pretty sure you're never lonely, even if you're alone! Birthday Blessings to you. x

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  15. Happy Birthday to you
    Happy Birthday to you
    Happy Birthday Dear Nick
    Happy Birthday to you.

    I hope you have a wonderful day Nick and many happy returns. x

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  16. Happy Birthday to you,
    Happy Birthday to you,
    Happy Birthday Dear Nick,
    Happy birthday to you,

    That was me singing, I hope I was on key!

    I love your definition of LOVE.
    That says it all dear friend.

    ENJOY YOUR DAY!

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  17. May your heart be full of joy, may your house be full of love, and may you have a wonderful, wonderful Birthday on this Saint Valentines day!

    Happy Birthday to the man who, through the simple act of blogging, brings blessing to us all!

    Cheers,
    ~RR

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  18. That was an awesome video!
    I second that motion.

    Happy birthday to you, dear Nick.
    May your day be filled with peace and good things.

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  19. Hello Nick and a very HAPPY BIRTHDAY to you, and may the Lord bless you with many, many more!!
    If you check your e-mail you will find a little Birthday Surprise.
    CHEERS!

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  20. Have a very special and happy birthday, Sir!

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  21. Hey Nick! Best wishes and Happy Birthday.

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  22. Happy Birthday, Saintly Nick! May your soul be bathed in divine love!

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  23. Happy Birthday! To you and little Gregory! Have a wonderful day. Hope Alex gives you extra snuggles.

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  24. Happy Valentines Day Nick, and Happy Birthday to dear sweet little baby Gregory....

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  25. Happy Valentines Day Nick and a very Happy Birthday. My husband is 65 today. He was a special Valentine to his momma too. Happy 1st birthday to baby Gregory.

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  26. Happy Birthday, Nick. You have written beasutifully here and about your father below. I think it is natural to think more about our parents as we approach or reach the age at which they died. It is also natural to think, "If only I could have... if only I had said... etc". You have made me feel good today, anyway, with what you say about all forms of love. It's very cold in Sicily tonight and as I cuddle up to my dog, I think "I have all the love in the world right here". ùTanti auguri, Nick. x

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  27. You decided on a fantastic day to be born! So much love is going around. Happy, happy birthday, Nick!

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  28. Happy Birthday to you,
    Happy Birthday to you,
    Happy Birthday, Dear Nick,
    Happy birthday to you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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  29. Happy Birthday, Nick, and to little Gregory, too!

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  30. Happy Birthday Nick!! I loved the video and all that you had to say about the day.

    Be blessed!

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  31. Happy Birthday Nick and Gregory. May God bless and watch over both of you.

    Hugs,
    Laurie

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  32. you don't look a day over 62 -someone I was falling for for the second time in life told me I was too old. He fell for someone younger-= pooh on him

    I liked that you said there are many forms of love- We sort of just think of romantic love but diverse forms of love visit us daily much love to you and the king of cats Sandy

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  33. Oh, sorry I'm a little late, Mr. Nick. Happy Belated Birthday. May you be blessed with many more birthdays!

    Hugs and blessings,

    Renie

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  34. HAPPY BIRTHDAY NICK!

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qyg8MJKAPeE&feature=PlayList&p=25453D3E85971613&index=9

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  35. FRom all of your visitors you must have had a nice party. Sorry I am later in wishing you and baby Gregory happy birthdays.

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  36. happy birthday nick

    now i am going over to see alex

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  37. Hey my Aquarian Dog brother, hope you had a brilliant birthday day, and many hugs for the coming years too :D

    Smiles hun :)

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  38. Happy belated birthday wishes and VD wishes all wrapped up in a big snog........ you are an inspiration and certainly make the blobbing world a better place.....

    x

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  39. I wasn't around yesterday...but I saw several places that it was your birthday...so I wish you a wonderful year.

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  40. Happy late birthday, my friend!

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  41. This is a very nice birthday post. I really like the movie and what you wrote about "love."

    Hope that you and baby Gregory had very happy birthdays.

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  42. Happy Birthday, Nick.

    This is Jill R.

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  43. Happy birthday, you old man you!

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  44. I missed your birthday! I'm sorry, Nick. Glad Tasha was there for you.

    Belated greetings to you and Gregory!

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