"Some Good News Here"

I must give proper credit, right off the bat, to Jean Whately, my friend in writing, and a fellow co-conspirator in trying to figure out the meaning of life, love and everything in between.  Her most recent post was the catalyst for this one...

Valentine's Day.  Conjours up images of cupid... red and pink hearts... love.

I know there are many of you out there who are looking forward to celebrating.  Maybe it's a tradition to have dinner out with your spouse.  A night free of kids, a little contrived romance, penciled in on the calendar.  What else to do when you're running a household, raising a family?

Many others out there still feel that trepidation, like high school all over again.  There is this NEED to celebrate the day, to not spend it alone.

Still others are nursing a broken heart this Valentine's day.  This post is for you.

Back in 1996, Just 8 months after my wedding day, I found out I was pregnant.  I was thrilled.  Seven weeks later, I miscarried.  Sitting in my OB/GYN's office, a box of kleenex in my hand, my doctor leaned forward and gently reminded me that there was actually "some good news here."  The fact that I'd miscarried meant that I could, in fact, get pregnant.  He suggested I wait a month and try again.

Why am I telling you this?  Well, my thinking is this.  Just like miscarriage (divorce, death), it's important to remember that if we've fallen in love once - deeply, passionately, without reservation or restraint (even as our heart lies broken on the side of the road), there is "some good news here" too, no?  It means we are capable of falling deeply, madly in love AGAIN.

It may not be as simple as it should be.  And certainly, it's not as perfect as it's shown in the movies. Really, how often does it happen that eyes meet across a crowded room, and the crowd falls away as the crescendo of a thousand violins fills the air? And even when that rare moment does occur, the road is paved with bumps, my friend.  Pot holes.  Craters even.  Believe you, me.

I used to hear Don Henley crooning on the radio about how "sometimes love just ain't enough," and I'd cry B.S.  Sure it's enough!  Just send it my way, it'll be enough!  Oh, Mr. Henley was so right, wasn't he? If you've been there, you know exactly what I mean.  Sometimes... it's just not enough.

But I digress!  If you're hurting instead of loving this year, take heart (okay, that pun might have been intended).  You're hurting because you were capable of an all encompassing love.  And it'll come back to you.  Just wait.

And if by the luck of the draw, or fate, or hard liquor, you are in love this year... More power to you - enjoy!

Author's Note: In my own mental inventory of years' past, many romantic nights (and days) come to mind.  But not one of them fell on February 14th.  Further proof that true romance, real passion can not be planned.  

Happy Valentine's Day to all.  And especially to the three loves of my life...Connor, Jack, and Ella.