A Few of FR's Finest....Every Day....02-14-05...Sweet Hearts (A Valentine Story)

Billie

[Billie]

A Few of FR's Finest....Every Day

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Happy Sweet Hearts Day!

I found the following story in the February 2005 issue of "Better Homes and Gardens" and thought it would be a sweet Valentine thread for the Finest. Hope you enjoy reading it as much as I did.

by Helen St. Marie

"Love is free, but oh, how it costs," was a favorite saying of my mother's. And every Valentine's Day our love, whether for friends, relatives, or a secret someone, cost plenty of time and effort.

As children, we made our own cards, elaborate projects of lace, ribbons, and more. If we wanted to add something and we couldn't find it at home, we had to pay for it at the stationery store. It made you think twice about who to give your heart to.

When it came o sweets, we made those too: cookies, brownies, and two kinds of fudge.

As good as it was, you always want what you don't have, and we coveted those gorgeous heart-shape boxes of candy and other packaged goodies that appeared in the window of the five-and-dime store every February. Yet for most of my childhood I can't recall a single time that we ever got a piece of store-bought Valentine's Day candy.

And then one year, we did.

Hidden in our napkins at suppertime on February 14, each of us found a little bundle of candy hearts, the ones with the little message on each: Kiss me, Be Mine, Cutie Pie, and so many others.

I later learned that the New England Confectionary Company (NECCO, home of the famous wafer) had been making their candied messages by the millions since 1902, but this was the first time anyone had given them to me. They must have come from Mother, although she never said anything about them and never would. But every Valentine's Day thereafter, it became a tradition, one that has surprised and delighted my children and now their kids.

At NECCO, I learned, they have a tradition too: Every year they add new messages to the hundred or so that already exist. Last Valentine's Day, "Fax Me" and "Awesome" were among the messages my grandchildren found in their napkins. The words have changed through the years, but the hearts remain constant.

Of course, making your own Valentines and baking your own treats are still two of the best ways I know to show someone you love them. But if those sweet candy hearts have taught me anything, it's the importance of indulging the impulsive side of love, the side that makes us do foolish or unexpected things, whether it's stealing a kiss, serenading a sweetheart, or wrapping a message of love in a child's napkin.

by Helen St. Marie
for Better Homes and Gardens

THIS WEEKEND'S THREAD 02-11,12,13-05 T.G.I.F. at the Finest

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[Billie]

[Billie]

Good morning and Happy Valentine's Day, Finest Family.

[CitizenHelper]

Happy Valentines Day from Citizens Helping Heroes!

[Diver Dave]

Billie!!! You're Back!!!! Welcome Home!!!!

Happy Valentine's Day.

[CounterCounterCulture]

Sigh.

I need a girlfriend.

Signed,
Single and solitary in San Jose

(snags a couple of hearts from the basket)

[Mama_Bear]

Happy Valentine's Day, Billie!

I enjoyed that article, and I LOVE those little candy hearts. Ever since I was a kid I have liked Necco Wafers, so naturally I would like the hearts. I have been known to go buy a box of them for myself.....since my valentine has never thought to give me any. (HINT, HINT!) LOL! He is more likely to give me chocolates, but I'm not complaining.....that is okay too!

Happy Valentine's Day to all!

[Diver Dave]

I ate all the Necco Candy hearts. Thanks for the refill.

When I was a pup, we made our own "Valentine mailboxes" covered with red and white construction paper, paper lace doilies, and glued with that white paste that came in the big jars. Everyone always tasted the paste - it was terrible! Fifty cents bought enough Valentine's for the entire class. Last week, Mrsd spent $30+ for Valentines - plus postage. I like the "Old Days."

[Mama_Bear]

BTW, I forgot to mention, I like your presentation today. Don't know quite how you did it, but it is very nice. You keep setting the bar ever higher - and I am having a heck of a time keeping up with you. LOL

[MEG33]

Billie, this is a beautiful thread. Thank you!

HAPPY VALENTINES' DAY TO ALL THE FINEST!

[JohnHuang2]

Driveby ...

Special hugs and a Happy Valentine's Day to all the ladies!

((((((((((((((Billie; Aquamarine; dansangel; dutchess; Mama_Bear)))))))))))))))

(((((((((((((( WVNan;Pippin;Calpernia;Ladyx;GailA)))))))))))))))

((((((((((((((dixie sass;Libertina;Lakeside;deadhead)))))))))))))))

((((((((((((((JustAmy;DollyCali;Kitty Mittens;kayak)))))))))))))))

[JohnHuang2]

G'morning to ya, my friend. Time to grab some sleep -- see y'all soon! :-)

[JohnHuang2]

G'morning to you, too!

[Aeronaut]

Good morning Billie. Happy Valentine's Day to all the Finest ladies.

[Pippin]

HAPPY VALENTINES DAY

TO ALL OUR FINEST GUYS!!!!

((((((HUGS)))))

FOR THE BOYS! :O)

[Pippin]

((((BILLIE))))!!!!!

WELCOME BACK!

[GailA]

Good morning...It's a high emotional day for me today..I'd just rather skip it this year. I've done nothing but deal with the water works all week.

[nicmarlo]

[Gabz]

Good morning Billie, and the rest of the Finest.

Happy Valentine's day all!!!

[The Mayor]

February 14, 2005

Sacrificial Love

Read:
John 15:9-17

Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one's life for his friends. -John 15:13

Bible In One Year: Leviticus 17-19

What does it mean to lay down our lives for Christ and for our friends? In John 15, notice Christ's logic as He taught about sacrificial love.

First He said, "This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you" (v.12). Then He described the fullest extent of such love: "Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one's life for his friends" (v.13). Jesus died willingly for us and we should be willing to die for Him and our friends.

Then He added, "You are My friends if you do whatever I command you" (v.14). Jesus didn't say we're His friends only if we die for Him. We are also His friends if we obey Him. In God's eyes, obeying Him as a living sacrifice is the way we lay down our life for Him (Romans 12:1).

Similarly, we may not have to die for our friends, but there are other ways to make sacrifices for them. We can lay down our plans or tight schedules to focus on someone in need. Or we can lay down our possessions to make provision for the poor.

Such sacrifices, though small, can be powerful ways to lay down our lives for our friends-if we sacrifice willingly and in the spirit of Christ's love. -Joanie Yoder

We say we love humanity,
But it is only true
If we're prepared to sacrifice-
For those God asks us to. -Sper

The closer you are to God, the bigger your heart for people.

FOR FURTHER STUDY
The Compassion Of Jesus
What Is Real Love?

[Gabz]

Good morning your honor!!!!