The Valentine Lesson

Today I thought I would share a story from my childhood...

a lesson learned long ago...and one I have never forgotten.

I grew up in a military family...my father was in the Air Force for 21 years.  

So we moved A LOT.  But I was always able to make friends and settle in. 

When I was 8, we moved to Savannah, Georgia, and lived there for 3-1/2 years.  

My elementary years were happy...class parties were always a favorite time.  

For Valentine's Day each year, we made the traditional Valentine mail boxes using old shoe boxes, covering them with foil and decorations.  Then on Valentine's Day, we would pass out valentines (and maybe some candies) to our classmates.

The Valentine's Day when I was 11, in the sixth grade, was a memorable one.

Valentines came in packages, but also in big punch-out albums 

with assorted cards.  I particularly loved the glittered cards. 

I would pick the best, biggest, and most glittery cards for my very best friends. 

I remember spending lots of time working on my cards 

and deciding who would get them.

Now, my mother insisted I give a valentine to every classmate...

which at that time, wasn't required.  I was not happy about it.  

There were some kids I didn't want to give them to...especially one boy.

He was a new kid that year, from a military family, too, and never seemed to fit in.  It was the era of the Beatles, and his hair was buzzed.  

His clothes were different, and he always got in trouble.

I even remember him getting a paddling from the teacher 

for some transgression, and being made to stand in the corner.

Not everything in the good-old-days was good.

I didn't get in much trouble.  I had to write 100 times "I will not talk in the library".  And once I had to go to the principal when I was on safety patrol duty, for running around with the belt undone...pretending I was a horse...conduct unbecoming for an officer.  AND I was a class monitor when the teacher was out of the room.

So having to give him a Valentine wasn't high on my list. But I did it.

Not long after, my father received orders to go to Saudi Arabia for a year, and the rest of us were moving to California to be near family while he was gone.

It was a tradition then, when one of the kids moved, 

to pass around an autograph book.  It went through the 

classroom so everyone could say goodbye and good luck.

On my last day, I passed around my book and an autograph dog...

do you remember those?  I said goodbye to my friends, 

packed up my school stuff, and went home.

Later, when I sat down to read the autograph book, 

there were many sweet messages and funny rhymes.  

But the only one I remember is from the boy I didn't want to give a valentine. 

He wrote " Thank you for the valentine.  Not very many people gave me one."

That simple message touched my heart. I cried and felt ashamed...and felt great compassion for him.  As an 11 year old girl, I was taught a profound lesson that day, one that changed me forever. And I was grateful for my kind mother. 

When I started in my new school, and in the new schools in my future...I learned to seek out those who were on the outside, and make friendships. 

I sometimes think of that young boy...and pray his life turned out okay. 

My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.

                                                                    John 15:12 NIV

Until next time...wishing you love and a Happy Valentine's Day!