I Cannot Ignore The Day,

 I remember from somewhere in my distant past the little ditty, Roses are Red, Vilolets are Blue, sugar is sweet and so are you.

Valentines day did not take much place in my life of school. We Scottish are somewhat reluctant to show emotion so it took a lot longer to take off as a day . The odd fellow pupil would give a card to a girl but not very many and never any coming my way.

Now we have them all including the rather meaningless Fathers Day. I say meaningless in the sense that I cannot find behind it the religious significance of all the other days. Maybe somebody can enlighten me.

So Valentines Day reminds me of a little tale that I will share with you.

Her name was Rose, and her favourite flower was of course the rose, those of the blushing types. So every valentines day they would arrive, a large beautiful bunch of red roses. The card on them would always say the same thing. I love you more this year than I did on this day last year.

The particular year I talk about the roses arrived as usual, even although her husband had died before Valentines Day. The Card said the same, I  Love you more this day that I did this day last year. She assumed that before his death her husband had arranged for them to be sent as usual.

She trimmed the stems and arranged them in a vase as she did every year, and as every other year there was a tear running down her cheek as she placed them on the dinning room table.

The following year, the roses arrived again and again the same card. There must be a mistake. She called the florist to explain there must be a mistake or somebody was being very cruel to make her feel so sad. The florist asked if she had read the card. She said she had not, because they most surely were not for her.  The florist assured her they were . Her husband had paid well in advance and there was enough in the fund for her to have roses every valentine day till the day she too died. He said that he had been instructed to include a special card the year after he discovered her husband had died. So this year he had.

She opened the envelope to read.

Inside the card, she saw that he had written her a note. 
Then, as she stared in total silence, this is what he wrote... 
"Hello my love, I know it's been a year since I've been gone, 
I hope it hasn't been too hard for you to overcome."

"I know it must be lonely, and the pain is very real. For if it was the other way, I know how I would feel. 
The love we shared made everything so beautiful in life. 
I loved you more than words can say, you were the perfect wife.

You were my friend and lover, you fulfilled my every need. 
I know it's only been a year, but please try not to grieve. 
I want you to be happy, even when you shed your tears. 
That is why the roses will be sent to you for years.

When you get these roses, think of all the happiness, 
That we had together, and how both of us were blessed. 
I have always loved you and I know I always will. 
But, my love, you must go on, you have to do some living still.

 Please try to find happiness, while living out your days. 
I know it is not easy, but I hope you find some ways. 
The roses will come every year, and they will only stop, 
When your door's not answered, when the florist stops to knock."

He will come five times that day, in case you have gone out. 
But after his last visit, he will know without a doubt, 
To take the roses to the place, where I've instructed him, 
And place the roses where we are, together once again."

I hope you all have a lovely Valentines Day. The skeptic Scot has given in.

This blog is linked to my other and please do read my explanation for the artwork chosen. 

Buddleia