A fun little fact about Quiet Rage (as if anybody actually cares). I was supposed to be born on Valentine's Day and I was supposed to be named Valerie. The universe had other plans. I was not born on Valentine's Day and my name is not Valerie.
How do you celebrate Valentine's Day? Back in the 80's we used to get secret candy or flower grams in high school. I used to sit in each class and hope for the delivery of a secret candy/flower gram valentine from a secret admirer. I wanted that valentine from a secret admirer and then the kiss on the dance floor at the Valentine's Dance from said secret admirer who was not a secret at that point. To this day I can tell you the songs that were playing at the high school dances where those magical kisses happened. I knew when a boy put his hand on the small of my back during a dance he would do the "lean in" for the kiss.
Ahhhhhhhhhhhh youth. It was soooooooooooo long ago. We have all been long-married to other people and many of us are grandparents at this point. Still, we can all look back and smile fondly on the innocence of those days. Life marches ahead and now the 1980's are 40 years in the rear view mirror.
Now that I have an AARP card, which is valid identification for obtaining my "age 55+ senior wisdom discount" on Tuesdays at the grocery store, I celebrate Valentine's Day with my kids and their spouses. It's now a family event. Yes, there is love; however, the definition of love has shifted away from my raging, boy-crazy hormones of a love-starved teenager to a mature, motherly love appreciating my adult kids and their spouses (and always a few extras) by taking them all out for a very nice dinner. I think my family puts a big emphasis on Valentine's Day as it is close to my birthday and we can celebrate two things at once (hey, life is busy).
It's kind of fun to make reservations for Valentine's Day dinner as it is usually assumed by the person answering the phone that I want a quiet, romantic table for two. When I call for reservations, it's for a group of about 8-10 people. It's especially fun as we are not quite celebrating Valentine's Day nor my birthday. It's kind of a random, undefined blend.......which works for us as I LOATHE waitstaff singing me 'happy birthday' donning big sombreros, maracas, clapping, and a flaming dessert.
With that being stated, my daughter threw me a curve ball today. She is totally capable of throwing curve balls as she was a collegiate softball pitcher. LOL. She kidnapped me this morning and took me for coffee, a massage, lunch, a painting class, and then dinner. I was not expecting it at all. I started crying when she said she wanted to thank me for everything I have done for her.
I guess today was my reward for not killing my daughter when she was a snotty teenager complete with mood swings and attitude who used to dramatically slam her bedroom door and throw herself on her bed making sure the entire household heard her sighs and cries. LOL.
Which brings me to Presidents' Day. I guess it is supposed to honor the birthdays of President Lincoln and President Washington. The month of February produces quality people, right?
Let's look at the focus of Presidents' Day. It's an excuse to get a day off and go skiing up at Tahoe. Seriously, one would think that we would look at the contributions and struggles of Washington and Lincoln and put ourselves in their shoes to think about the decisions that needed to be made along with their short-term and long-term consequences and sacrifices on society. Instead, Presidents' Day has been cheapened to nothing but shilling mattresses and appliances....and an excuse for ski week.
No comments:
Post a Comment