Karen

Wednesday, February 16, 2005

Post-Vday thoughts

Valentine's Day has come and gone. It is weird, really, that it being just a specified 'special' day, can mean so much to certain people.

I thought a lot about past Vdays, and I realise that the one that really stood out, was the one in 2002, back in CJ. I remember being really excited about it. Firstly of cos, I had a date with a guy that I truly liked. But mainly, I was excited about the prospect of meeting my beloved friends on this special day, and delivering little handmade gifts for all those people that meant and still mean so much to me. It was just as wonderful receiving those little gifts in return: Nat's paper flower, Mel's handmade styrofoamy rose, Ewen's fake orange flower with water droplets on them, Fabian's fake purple rose, Bernard's macaroni-gel thingy with my name, San's yummy brownies, Sheena's cookies, Ms Ng's little gift... and so much more.

I wonderered then, why is it that all these little things have stopped? Is it that Vday doesn't hold a special meaning anymore? Are we too grown up to bother about little things like that? Or is it that as people grow older, we forget that simple things can help to brighten up someone's day? Are we too preoccupied with our work, our studies, that we forget the very people in our lives that make life itself bearable?

I remember last year, Dad bought Mum a bunch of red roses from Far East Flora. Unwrapped, untrimmed, and he displayed them in the red pail that my maid uses to store the water for mopping the floor. But the expression on Mummy's face was absolutely priceless -- A tinge of amusement because of its out-of-the-ordinary display, a bit of horror because the floor was a bit wet when he put in the water, but also a smile that displayed genuine gladness and joy.

I hope that I will always remember that little gestures are precious.

Even though Vday seems to be getting more and more commercialised each year, I still believe that this designated day to spread a little bit of joy, be it to a friend, a loved one, or even a stranger, can be something very special.

To everyone, Happy Valentine's Day!

lying among the petals 4:51 PM