2/14/07

Heart-felt V-Day tales

Tri-O's Oddities, observations, and opinions
By Herb Kandel

V for Verity (your choice)

Here we are again on this day of hearts and flowers in celebration of St. Valentine. Inquiring minds may ask: who was this person and why does this day inspire approximately 188 million cards to be exchanged (not counting kids’ classroom card swapping), making Valentine’s Day the second largest date for giving greeting cards along with helping the U.S. Postal Service (as almost 50% are hand delivered)?
One legend has it that Valentine was a priest in third century Rome when Emperor Claudius II ruled. Claudius reasoned that single men fought harder in combat than those with wives and families, so he outlawed marriage for young men. One would assume that the brides-to-be were hopping mad, to say nothing of the caterers, and so was Valentine, who, to defy this injustice, continued to perform marriages for young lovers in secret. When his actions were discovered, Claudius ordered that he be put to death.
Another version has Valentine killed for attempting to help Christians escape barbaric Roman prisons where they were treated harshly. He wanted to exchange the lash with love.
Yet a different account has Valentine sending the first 'valentine' greeting himself. It was said that Valentine, while in prison, fell in love with the young girl (speculation has it that it was the jailor's daughter) who visited him during his confinement. His final letter to her, before he was dispatched to meet his fellow saints, was signed 'From your Valentine'
Take your choice but the occasion accentuates his charismatic personality as a compassionate, gallant, and romantic figure. So when you present or are the recipient of sweets, flowers, and other gifts remember to be thankful for St. Val …but no matter how appreciative you may be, it will not come close to those of Mr. Hallmarks’.

V for Valor

Apropos to this red letter day there is this touching story of two kindred souls who were born in the same town just a few miles apart. One grew up in a family that spared no expense when it came to his well being and toys. The other had a meager start in life and she learned to make do with what was presented her. They first met in a park when they were young. As they romped about, a bond was established unbeknown to them. Time passed, he went to school, learned a lot, then put all this training to work; whereas she was home schooled, very protected and sheltered. Although they lived only several miles apart they did not meet again until years later.
It was at a medical facility. He was there to get his shots when she strolled in for a check-up. They first gazed at each other and recognition dawned slowly. Ted remembered where they had met but it took Sara a little longer. Much time had passed since they had last been together and neither wanted that to happen again. Each hoped that they would get the opportunity to meet soon again. Destiny was to play a hand as you will see.
Ted was doing work for the police department, and she was a domestic.
One chilly afternoon there was a terrible explosion in the part of town where Sara lived. A gas line had ruptured, a spark from an electric motor ignited it. Several homes caught the brunt. They were quickly reduced to rubble. The fire fighters and police emergency units were called. The fire was put out in short order but beneath the debris some residents were trapped. Moans and cries for help were given swift attention.
After several hours it all the people known to have been living in the area were accounted for. Everyone except Sara.
The police unit was there going over the devastation, Ted among them. Hopes were getting slimmer by the minute. The cold was giving way to sleet making the search for survivors even more treacherous. They were about to call a halt but Ted persisted in his exploring every inch of the area despite fatigue and deteriorating weather.
It was he who heard that ever so feeble cry from an exhausted throat. Ted started digging with an intensity not witnessed before . Others seeing his desperation quickly started to help him. The sounds were now more distinct as the house innards were peeled away. In a few moments Sara was seen then lifted out of the place where she had been trapped. She looked over her shoulder saw Ted. She knew instinctively that it was he who had found her. In a wail like tone, with an intense stare she bellowed “ ME OWW” . Those there swear it sounded like “Thank you”. Meanwhile Ted just pawed the ground in a John Wayne stance.
Ted was awarded K-9 of the Year on Valentine’s Day. Sara was in attendance.

Note to my BH (Better Half)--Happy Valentine’s Day
END