Hearts and Flowers

It is that time again when lovers and friends buy into the hype that is Valentine’s Day. At least that is what I hear from some friends and acquaintances – “We refuse to celebrate the mass marketing gimmick.” But when you look back at history, this celebration of love dates back hundreds of years. Nowhere is it written that it must be proclaimed with exorbitant food and expensive gifts.
 
My fascination this year lands totally on a chubby little cherub called Cupid. Roman mythology touted him as the son of Venus, the Goddess of Love. The Greeks called him Eros, known to be the son of Aphrodite, the Greek goddess associated with love, lust, beauty, pleasure, passion, and procreation. In any of the mythologies, it was constant that he was the son of a Love Goddess.
 
For me, a funny little tidbit I learned this year has eluded me for years. Famously carrying a bow and arrow, this little diapered imp carries not one bow and arrow set, but two. Seriously, who knew this? Have I been buried in a deep red-heart fog for all these years? Set number one boasts a golden tip. Being tagged by these arrows makes you fall hopelessly in love. Yes, we all knew this, right?
 
The second set, made of lead or silver has a blunted tip. These arrows make their intended target fall out of love. Ah, doesn’t that make a lot of sense now? At long last, I understand why one day you walk on water and the next day you are burnt toast. We need to put out a contract on this self-serving little urchin or, at the very least, make him wear big-boy pants.
 
Okay, so I also read that Cupid is the patron saint of beekeepers, fainting, travelers, and people with epilepsy, so he does have some redeeming qualities. Like everything in life, the need to keep everything in perspective is paramount to living with some sense of sanity.
 
So, celebrate or not, honoring those who bring love into your life is a far cry from surrendering to a mass marketing gimmick. More than 36 million heart-shaped boxes of chocolates will be hand-delivered this year along with a billion Valentine’s Day cards. They say that nine million people will celebrate their pets too. Hey, that cannot be a bad thing.
 
Hence, to you and yours, do not let the sting of an arrow dictate who you love. Celebrate anyone who makes your world a brighter place. And today, I celebrate all of you. Hearts and flowers for everyone!​

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