Courtesy - dailymirror.lk“Happy Valentine’s Day!” greeted Premani whose name means Love. Yes, Valentine’s Day is the Festival of Love and not just romantic love.
Did you feel cheated on Valentine’s Day because nobody gave you red roses or chocolates? That is because most people think of it as just a celebration for lovers only.
But I prefer to broaden out the concept and make Valentine’s Day truly a festival of love for everyone.
Is there anyone in this world who does not love someone else? Even if you don’t have the love of your life, you must be having a soft spot for someone. That is enough! Why don’t you brighten up the life of someone, especially someone you care about, by doing something special during this Season of Valentine? True, Valentine’s Day is past but you can still give a reminder that you care by giving a red rose or a sweetheart chocolate. Just give a hug and a kiss and say “Happy Valentine’s Day” and perhaps you can give a home-made card. Just take some glitter glue and a felt pen and draw a card on bristle board and decorate it. Pen some words of tender loving care and perhaps a fun message.
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You can write “Je t’aime, mon cheri” which in French means “I love you, my darling!” to a man or “Je t’aime, ma cherie” to a woman. If you don’t have a spouse, a partner, a lover or a boyfriend or girlfriend, you can still show love to a mother, a father, a sibling or a friend. Or perhaps to the little girl down the street.
Come with me to the Flower Shop and we will choose a red rose or if you can afford it, a bouquet of red or pink roses to send to someone you care about. Let’s write out a nice message on the card and send it saying “Happy Valentine’s Day!”
Or perhaps you would like to accompany me to the Chocolate Shop. Forget diabetes and cholesterol as you feast your eyes on the array of goodies on display. Maybe you have a sweet tooth and prefer marzipan chocolates. Or do you like chocolate bunnies or delicious melt-in-the-mouth marshmallows coated with chocolate?
If you like chocolate, the chances are that the person you care about likes them as well. Anyway, he or she will appreciate the thought that you bothered to give her or him a chocolate to wish her or him a Happy Valentine’s.
Maybe you want to splurge and give your loved one a truly meaningful gift to mark the Season of Love. Let’s go to the bazaar and pick out a blouse or a t-shirt with a catchy saying. I have seen a t-shirt with the legend, “Of all the things I’ve lost, I miss my mind the most!” Or perhaps you would like to give a t-shirt with a picture of Sri Lankan wildlife!
You may be dead broke and unable to spend but that does not mean that you have to let the Festival of Love pass you by. Pay a visit to a lonely soul and just give a hug and a kiss. That will do.
You will be surprised at the number of lonely souls in the world. If you think that you are alone because you are widowed or divorced, you have only to visit someone else to find that you can be lonely even in the midst of a family.
You could go to a Home for Elders and spend time with the inmates. Maybe you could cheer them up with a kind word or perhaps a singsong. An energetic ‘baila’ dance session could be on the cards provided the inmates are willing. Even if you cannot persuade them to dance, you could get them to sing along or clap hands to the tune.
“Haai hoy babiaachchigay bicycle eka” (Hi to Granny Babi’s bicycle) and the air will reverberate to the catchy tune!
Do you prefer the company of children? You could visit an orphanage and enjoy running and jumping with the little ones. Most orphanages are institutionalized so the children will welcome the opportunity to make merry. You can take a special interest and perhaps help with their education.
