Editor’s note: Grandma Nean submitted a Christmas story to the Optimist in December.
She is back with this one in honour of Valentine’s Day
It was almost Valentine's Day, almost but not quite.
Claire was looking forward to all the Valentine cards she and her friends would exchange at school. They had done so many projects in class and made so many hearts that everyone would feel special that day. She had even made a big heart to give to her brother Christopher. He was only in Grade one, but Claire thought he now understood the idea of showing love and caring about others.
That word “love” was almost as difficult and could be explained in just as many ways as that other expression she had encountered - “growing up”! She wondered what other “word mountains-to-climb” adults would invent for kids as they got older. Being in Grade three, she had already figured out that kids did not just have to learn things in school, they were also expected to understand them.
Claire knew she would have help with all of this. Her Mum and her Dad were always there to show her the way, and her Grandma Nean helped her to discover the magic that was waiting to happen.
Was there any magic in Valentine's Day? What was that day about anyway? It couldn't just be about paper hearts, no matter how beautiful she made them or how many she received.
“Valentine's Day should not be just about the candy or the hearts, should it,” Claire asked her Grandma when she called her. “Well, Grandma Nean answered, the hearts and the candy remind us that on that day love should exist between all of us, but it is only the beginning of the Valentine magic.”
“So there is magic in Valentine's Day,” exclaimed Claire, proud that she had made this new discovery. “Oh, Claire -sighed Grandma – there is magic in everything, but it sometimes takes a little work to set it in motion. Do you want to put your heart into the magic and put the magic into your heart?”
“Oh yes,” said Claire. “What must I do? Will it hurt?”
Grandma started to giggle; then she started to laugh. Claire was glad she had made her Grandma happy, but Claire was still confused.
Grandma Nean took a breath, stopped giggling, but kept on smiling as she explained the magic of Valentine's Day to Claire.
The heart you draw represents the love you want to share with someone. The heart just knocks on the door and gets that person’s attention that some magic could be about to happen, but it is still up to you to deliver the magic. Many, many people have forgotten this part of Valentine's Day because it takes some work and some imagination to complete.
“I have lots of imagination, Grandma,” said Claire.
“You will be very good at this then, Claire. Every time you give a heart, some kindness needs to follow. You say something nice to the person or you ask them to sit and talk with you. Adults can buy a coffee or pay for someone's meal or make a phone call or bring in someone's garbage can or cut someone's grass or...”
“I know, yelled an excited Claire. “Or put away the dinner dishes or wash the car or carry in groceries or help clean up my brother's room.”
She was not too sure about that last one. Her brother could make a pretty big mess out of his bedroom.
Grandma Nean was happy for Claire. Spreading love and kindness was a very special kind of magic that did as much for the giver as for the receiver. But there was one more step to all of this. Was Claire grownup enough to try for the “Super Magic” of Valentine`s Day?
“There is one more magic thing you can do, Claire. This involves Super Magic. You do a kindness for someone without letting them know it was you who did it. This will make your heart just giggle and giggle”
“I could put a box of chocolates on my teacher's desk before she arrives,” said Claire. “And I will make sure there is a welcome Valentine for the new girl in class! And I will leave a Thank You Valentine for the janitor who always helps me with things. All with no name attached!”
Grandma Nean was so proud of Claire. She knew without a doubt that Claire's Valentine heart would go on... and on... and on... and on.
Even though we can no longer share the hugs or the handshakes or even the same small space, what we can do is give a kindness to someone. VALENTINE'S DAY is a good day to begin!
