Past Love

With candy and flowers aside and Valentine’s Day over, end of day reflections often come to mind. As the day and mind quiets down of any holiday, very often past memories come to the surface.

One in particular comes to mind for me from quite a number of years ago. The week before Valentine’s Day brought about some hustle and bustle with my teenage son. He was in stealth mode with me right behind him asking lots of questions.

·        “I need a ride”, he said

·        “Where to?”

·        “Down the street.”

·        “Why?”

And this line of questioning went on as so often it will do with a teenager.

·        “I wanted to order some flowers for Valentine’s Day.”

·        “Who is she?”

·        “Who’s who?”

·        “I’ve saved my own money.”

·        “That’s not what I asked.”

And this line of questioning went on as so often it will do with a teenager.

By mid-week I caved. If the flowers weren’t ordered in time, they definitely wouldn’t arrive in time and that could be the worst outcome of all. I drove him to the florist shop, waited in the car, trying not to crane my neck to see him through the window and biting my tongue on his return to not ask any more questions.

I waited for Valentine’s Day to pass, hoping that information would filter my way as so often it will do with a teenager. Mid-afternoon on the ‘big day’ I got a knock on the door. With bated breath I answered. I opened the door to find the florist with the most gorgeous bouquet of flowers I’d ever seen. Surprised to see them, wondering if the address was reversed by mistake, I took the liberty to open the envelope.

I cautiously looked in both directions first, in stealth mode, in case he was looking. I was also holding my breath to see who the lucky lady would be. Well, here goes.

It turned out that the lucky lady was me! You could have knocked me over with a feather! The card simply stated “To Mom, Happy Valentine’s Day, with love. I had to first catch my breath, then sit down. With a wipe of a tear I reread the card…barely believing my eyes.

I later took pictures for proof! I’ve since lost them, but the memories and emotions of that single moment are forever marked in time.

This time the line of questioning was reversed as so often it will do with a teenager.

·        “Well, do you like them?” he asked.

·        “Yes, they’re beautiful.” I mumbled.

·        “Good, I’m glad.” he said.

I remember hugs… and I’ll always remember this day like it happened yesterday. We’re still in love today! J

Cathy

Dear Juliet

Dearest Juliet,

Fair daughter of Verona, please smile down on me, for I am looking for my soulmate. As you found yours, tragic though it may be, you found him none the less. Together you two remain, not just in your hearts but in each other’s arms.  Today you still live in my dreams. You keep my hopes alive. I seek your counsel in this matter of love. Please, I implore you and Romeo to guide a light through to my heart that my eyes may know love at first glance as yours did in your story.

Signed,

Ever Hopeful

When I first heard of the history of letters written to Juliet at a house in Verona, I was amazed. Technically, she never existed, but was a character in Shakespeare’s play. Perhaps she did exist as an inspiration to his writings…but, people have been writing to her for advice on love for quite some time. Letters are placed along the wall of a Capulet House in Verona.  

I can’t think of anything more romantic than this… a character taken from English Renaissance Theatre and brought to life as the embodiment of feminine desire and love fulfilled. This alone confirms that love can transcend time, not just in our literature books and plays but into the minds and hearts of the public. We have sought out guidance based on an ideal love represented in what is considered to be the greatest love story written.

What a hold this is, this concept of perfect love. It is not just taught to us or impressed upon us as an ideal, but a goal for us to be achieved for total fulfillment. Since Juliet has now been transformed from a character to a person, we have thus witnessed the ideal of love become a tangible reality.

We reach out in so many ways for true love. We want our hearts to be happy.  We look to what has been accepted as tried and true to exemplify the way to joy. Shakespeare fits the bill and Romeo and Juliet are the way showers. It is timeless in example and this play has stood the test of time. There are so many that follow Shakespeare, they can only be right!

May the reality of true love be right around the corner for you too!

Happy Valentine’s Day!

Cathy

*

Sha Na Na, Just Like Romeo and Juliet: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mfk5YrScS2k

Romeo & Juliet, (1968) A Time For Us: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4FHpmn-KYec

Romeo & Juliet, Leonardo & Claire (1998): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gjxHdNxvySU

Shakespeare In Love, (1998): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=827EAYtM6XQ

Taylor Swift, Love Story from “Letters To Juliet”: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fDa4ZPt7eVQ

Romeo & Juliet, Act 2 Scene 2: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H3MiaSG1SMQ

Letters To Juliet, trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4AmB8spntgg&ob=av3e

Love Aspects

I found an article recently based on the four aspects of love according to Buddha. They are: Loving Kindness, Compassion, Joy and Freedom. This article defines love with great depth and understanding. We can think, act and talk of love, but without understanding its many aspects, we can become lost in its highest application. We can place limits on love with our definitions. We very often see love as finite, conditional and codependent. Buddha was most certainly talking about ‘unconditional love’ in his assessments.

 Artist: Jim Dine

1. Loving-kindness. Loving-kindness is not only the desire to make someone happy, to bring joy to a beloved person, it is the ability to bring joy and happiness to the person you love, because even if your intention is to love this person, your love might make him or her suffer. To be able to give happiness and joy, you must practice deep looking toward the person you love. Because if you do not understand this person, you cannot love properly.

2. Compassion. This is not only the desire to ease the pain of another person, but the ability to do so. You must practice deep looking in order to gain a good understanding of the nature of the suffering of this person, in order to be able to help him or her to change.

3. Joy If there is no joy in love, it is not true love. If you are suffering all the time, if you cry all the time, and if you make the person you love cry, this is not really love–it is even the opposite. If there is no joy in your love, you can be sure that it is not true love.

4. Freedom. In true love, you attain freedom. When you love, you bring freedom to the person you love. If the opposite is true, it is not true love. You must love in such a way that the person you love feels free, not only outside but also inside. “Dear one, do you have enough space in your heart and all around you?” This is an intelligent question for testing whether your love is something real.

Unconditional love is eternal: never ending, boundless: in giving & receiving, all encompassing: excluding no one and generous: wanting to care & share.

Cathy

Article: http://www.care2.com/greenliving/the-four-aspects-of-true-love.html

Preparing For Love

The ritual of exchanging love in elementary school has changed little over the years. During our SMF days the requirements for a Happy Valentine’s Day were as such:

·        One shoe box decorated for the occasion

·        Valentines for each classmate

·        Sweets to be shared

A weeks’ preparation was usually sufficient to search the house and closets for a spare shoebox. Construction and tissue paper in pinks and reds, glue, tape, paper doilies and a little imagination would do the trick. A quick scramble through the magazine rack for Woman’s Day or Family Circle for a quick perusal for the latest valentine inspirations on their covers didn’t hurt! Maybe an extra button, bow, lace or strand of yarn with a bit of glitter would add the extra touch to be more unique than last year’s box. One large slit in the top and the box is ready for the valentine delivery.

The anticipation for card exchange was always great. There was always the excitement of a different routine from classes, but this had more to it. We got to get up from our desks and walk around the room delivering our Palmer Method signed cards to each student….personal mail delivery with lots of giggles and winks. Goodies such as cupcakes, candies, and ‘NECCO Sweethearts’ with phrases of love were lined across our teacher’s desk with napkins for us to partake upon completion of our valentine delivery. It was a true departure from routine and filled with all the sweetness you could fill an afternoon with. Valentine’s Day was great. We would steal a quick look through the box to see if there was a specially chosen card just for us. The anticipation of going home and reviewing each card could barely be contained. This a true delight to hopefully be enjoyed before doing homework.

Sometimes a very unique card would show up…sometimes one unsigned…from a secret admirer!!! Even as kids, we understood the anticipation and unlimited possibilities of the exchange of love. Colorful cards, sweets, words expressed and those words yet to be shared in the future all brought such joy and high hopes for the next year. It was well worth the effort. We knew it then, we long for it still, and we share it with our children and grandchildren. Preparing for love doesn’t take that much effort after all. It seems to be the natural order of things.

Cathy

For Vinnie

Walter Vincent Campbell III

Farley Funeral Home: http://hosting-24119.tributes.com/condolences/view_memories/93207408#3549771

"Vinnie",

If tears could build a stairway

And memories were a lane

We would walk right up to heaven

And bring you back again

No farewell words were spoken

No time to say good-bye

You were gone before we knew it

And only God knows why

Our hearts still ache in sadness

And secret tears still flow

What it meant to lose you

No one will ever know

But now we know you want us

To mourn for you no more

To remember the happy times

Life still has much more in store

Since you’ll never be forgotten

We pledge to you today

A cherished place within our heart

Is where you’ll always stay

Michele Greene Maguire


Fifth grade at St. Mary's School started with a new boy in our class. The nuns always referred to him as "Walter Vincent" but to us he was "Vinnie". As the boys were out numbered by the girls he was one of twelve, "The Apostles" as we like to call them. The "publics" referred to us as the "St. Mary's Fairies" but little did they know on those Friday half days we turned into the "Brat Pack" of Elm Street. Hanging out at Linda's we were always laughing, having fun and enjoying our time together. Sure there were other friendships along the way but the bond we shared as "Fairies" never waned. Even at S.H.S. reunions during the course of the night we all gravitated toward one another. And there again we would find ourselves always laughing, having fun and enjoying our time together. Rest peacefully Vinnie, our dear "Fairy" friend.


Michele Greene Maguire

Cupid’s Arrow

During this romantic Valentine’s Day, keep in mind our assistant, Cupid. He is represented in so many elements of love such as candy, cards, clothing and the accompaniment of flowers. He dates back to Roman mythology and is still as popular today. And why is it he is still hanging around?

If we ask his help, what exactly is it that he does? Ready, aim, fire…and off his arrow goes; but, in what direction? When you think of Cupid, you expect him to know your heart. You expect him to read the desire of your heart and point you in the right direction. Cupid can only respond to your heart’s needs. You must know your heart first. Your head may make a ‘wish list’ for your valentine, but your heart, when searched, knows your needs.

Cupid aims for the heart…your heart to a soulmate’s!  This is how it works. Your heart is read; Cupid understands and directs the arrow straight and true to meet the requirements. The arrow can only hold true to course if the pending heart matches up to the alignment. If your heart is uncertain, the arrow cannot hold its course. So, in turn, it’s actually YOU who navigates the heart’s alignment. The soulmate accepts the arrow when the trajectory of the arrow is perfect. Cupid may help with the air not being too windy, the weather being fair and not too stormy…you know, the little things of the world. Affairs of the heart are very personal and Cupid helps when the ‘knowing of one’s heart’ is complete.

One of my favorite quotes from A Knight’s Tale:

"You speak of Jocelyn as though she was a target," William said with disgust in his voice.

"Isn't she?" Adhemar said nonchalantly.

"No. She is the arrow," William answered.

As you all know, William won Jocelyn’s heart in the end. True Love!

Cathy

Quote: http://www.fanfiction.net/s/6084820/8/A_Noblemans_Interests

The Language of Love

When you think of Valentine’s Day, is there any one single product that jumps into your mind? For some it’s chocolates and for others it’s flowers.  For me, I think of the candy hearts that say so much. They have the courage to speak the words we  (or some of us) can only think and dream of. It’s for certain they speak the ‘Language of Love’!

These candy hearts have shown up each year faithfully through our lives. We can count on them to be a fixture of ‘love and affection’ to be distributed by us to those we love. They are often used in lieu of a card to speak the unspoken words of admiration. They are the cutest of little treats in pretty colors as reminders that a sweet thought shared is beyond words.

When it comes to speaking of love, saying the least will never do. Give it all you’ve got or let these little cuties do it for you! “Be Mine”, “Kiss me”, “Hug Me”, “My Baby”, “True Love”, “Marry Me”, “Let’s Kiss”, Cutie Pie”, “Only You”, “Yours 4ever” are just a sample of a handful of love.

What I love most of all…they are made here in our backyard with a history of sweetness since 1847. That’s right! NECCO, New England Confectionary Company is the oldest candy manufacturer in the U.S. and it is home to Revere, Massachusetts. I like to think of it as ‘Love Central’, spreading the word through the goodness of their hearts!

Buy some and spread the word! Love is all there is!

Sweeeeeeeet!

Cathy

How to make a “sweetheart”! http://www.necco.com/FunLearning/PopupTour.asp?CurrStep=1&Tour=sweethearts

NECCO History: http://www.necco.com/AboutUs/History.asp

Esthetics

It was never about the hair

…but how it crowned your head

                                                           

It was never about your beard

                                                            …but the strength of your jaw

It was never about your mouth

…but about your smile

                                                            It was never about the eye color

                                                            …but how they looked back at me

There are so many ways to be attracted to another. The qualities that endure time are the features that time cannot take hold of. The smile and laugh, twinkling of the eyes, humor, grace under duress are qualities that stand this test of time. The original physical qualities that may attract us may not last in the same fashion over time. The qualities that bring out the best of the physical attributes will endure if nourished.

There are few of us that maintain the physical stature of youth. Time does take its toll on the human figure. Yet a smile will bring laugh lines. Humor transcends difficulties. A simple glance will speak a volume. A kind word will heal wounded feelings.

Esthetics may refer to the study of…or rules of…beauty, but we must apply our own standards of beauty to suit our heart. When we let others dictate our tastes, it can become bitter sweet. When we buy into all the mass marketing hype without applying an individual touch, we can be disappointed in the outcome. When it comes to couples esthetics, we must take both sides into consideration. When the two are well balanced, this is when the two become one. Beauty created.

Cathy

Photo:  Google search

Reaching Out

To laugh, to cry, to care and to love are some of the things we all have in common. When we feel for the pain of another, our empathy amplifies our humanity. We all have lessons to learn in life and when we identify with the lessons of another, this in turn becomes a lesson for ourselves.

We don’t always have the ability or opportunity to be with someone at their time of need. Our empathy is one way to reach out and say ‘I understand’, even from a distance. It can even say ‘I love you’.

It’s our ability to reach out to one and all that fulfills the circle of human emotions. Emotions are not to be of concern as they allow us to express ourselves. It is through emotions that we communicate truthfully.

Emotions allow us to express the following phrases: “I’m sorry; I hope you feel better; I’m happy for you; I love you.”

Embrace empathy through your emotions in all you do every day.

Cathy

http://www.freehugscampaign.org/index.php?categoryid=1

Essence of Winter

“But flowers distilled, though they with winter meet,

Leese but their show; their substance still lives sweet.”

http://www.shakespeares-sonnets.com/sonnet/5

Winter is here, snow or not. Spring and summer blooms still linger in our memories from last year with hopes of the return of this year’s flowers. Even though the flowers are gone, are not the memories real? Can we not recall the scent and our reaction to our interaction with them?

We project our future with the new year, new flowers and their blooms. We expect the flowers to do as before, return to us. This we do with great anticipation. The joy so great of the past brings us forward again and again. Yet they live with us today in our minds, photos and conversations. Therefore, they are still real to us now, in winter where they have lost their ‘show’, but nothing more.

Is our essence no different? Do we compare to our past and our projected future? Do we examine ourselves daily? Should we remove the factor of time, has our essence changed?

Cathy

First Fridays

Fridays at St. Mary School were a half day for us each and every Friday. We were dismissed at midday to allow the public school children (PSKs) to be transported to our school for religious education each Friday afternoon. It was great to have a half-day of school. It was even greater to have almost no classwork at all. This happened once a month on “First Fridays”.

Each First Friday of the month we had a Mass of devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. The entire school, all eight grades, had their mandatory education in the morning with the attendance of Mass as our religious education. The morning was so much shorter than the usual Friday. I remember the air being filled with so much more anticipation of the pending dismissal than on all the other days as we were dismissed directly from the church after Mass.

We would pack our book bags with all the necessary weekend homework assignments. The girls would fumble through their desks for the mandatory chapel veil or mantilla for Mass. Our heads were still obligated to be covered back then. Two bobby pins were the norm to keep our veils in place when we were fidgety. Knee sox were pulled up in place. The boys had to straighten their ties and tuck in their shirts.

No gum…EVER!...especially at Mass.

When the entire school was ready, we quietly filed from our classroom in order of grade, youngest first, across the parking lot to the church. We took our seats and had to be on our extra best behavior as the First Friday Mass was open to all parishioners. Friends, family and neighbors could be there. Fidgeting and talking would be noticed. As I mentioned before, our excitement was peaked with this very short school day. A lot was to be contained for the hour in Mass.

I’m not sure if I truly understood the extra devotion to Jesus at the time since Jesus always loved us anyhow. Extra prayers and efforts would be noticed by Him though. He’s that kind of a guy to take notice! I don’t think He minded the fidgeting as we contained our excitement of an afternoon of play ahead. He was a kid once too y’know!

Cathy

Food, Fun & Football

  

The one thing we all have in common, especially on Super Bowl Sunday, is food. Just in case you have a few minutes to spare in setting up the party platters for the buffet, take some inspiration from these Super Bowl Foods. They are all labors of love for the friends and family who are quite loved by their chefs. These works of art will be appreciated by all who see and taste them, people and taste buds alike! It takes the term ‘breaking bread’ to a higher level. What a great way to celebrate with those close to you!

Enjoy the day and game!

Cathy

Go Patriots!

Preparing For Super Bowl XLVI

The New England Patriots will be center stage on Sunday for the Super Bowl XLVI. If you’re a big fan and planning food and festivities for a crowd, here are some websites for quick recipes for your last minute preparations.  There’s also a site for previews for the Super Bowl TV ads.

Here’s to good fun and good eats! May the best team win! (Go Patriots!)

Cathy

Super Bowl Recipes: http://allrecipes.com/Recipes/Holidays-and-Events/Events-and-Gatherings/Super-Bowl/Top.aspx

Tailgate Recipes: http://www.foodnetwork.com/topics/tailgate-party/index.html

Shaw’s Recipes: http://www.shaws.com/savings/seasonal/superbowl/recipelist.jsp

Stop & Shop Recipes: http://stopandshop.shoplocal.com/stopandshop/Default.aspx?action=browserecipecategory&storeid=0&recipecategory=45

Hannaford’s Recipes: http://www.hannaford.com/recipe_category/Recipes/Quick-Easy-Meals/pc/22280/28981.uts

Super Bowl TV Commercial Previews: http://communities.washingtontimes.com/neighborhood/media-migraine/2012/feb/2/preview-super-bowl-xlvi-2012-tv-commercials-build-/

Wear Red Day

What I like the most about this particular day is the honoring of women. Heart disease is the number one disease to take the lives of women, more than all cancers combined. It brings awareness to our need to take loving care of ourselves. We are caregivers by nature and this day reminds us to look inward.

Make the most of each day. Honor yourself daily in some way. The love within is then multiplied to enable us to give to others…family, friends and extending into the community. For every selfless act given, treat yourself. We must nourish the body, mind and soul continually to not let the well run dry. This is NOT selfishness, but self-love. If someone recognizes the good you have done and chooses to give to you, especially when you are tired, please accept their loving kindness graciously.  Building ourselves up is part of the feminine support system. Traditionally we are there for each other. Traditionally, this is also what we pass down to our children…continuity of the giving of love.

We may say that we will be better at being kind to ourselves. We will stop worrying. We will give ourselves some quality time. We will find what makes our heart soar! We will wonder tomorrow why we didn’t start yesterday. Why wait. If you’ve given any credence to any of the above concerns, your heart is crying out for you to listen. Find that something that gives your heart wings and make it a daily routine. You deserve it!

Thanks to Rosemary M. for forwarding the site “I Hope You Dance”. It’s a perfect reference for changing the way we live to the way our hearts want to live!

Dancing: http://www.libertyhigh56.net/special%20pages/dancing.htm

May we see you all dancing in red!

Cathy

Wear Red Day: http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/educational/hearttruth/materials/wear-red-toolkit.htm

Wear Red Challenge: http://goredforwomen.org/wearredday/