Sent in by Etcher: Randa Adechoubou

I have never had a Valentine... 26 years later - with not a shred of regret - I spend another Valentines Day yet alone. Ok, enough with the opera and tears already. I have never had an opinion nor real emotion for the day so all is well in my parts, I will admit though that all the chocolate filled mugs, heart shaped balloons and cards that came anonymously during this time in high school was received with nothing but joy and a feeling of specialness if you may. I have since learned that the love that matters most to me is the one that I have for myself.

Below are some words shared by a friend and colleague Randa which I thought we just spot on! I hope that they may mean something to you in some way or another.

If ever you forget... YOU ARE LOVED! 

" After a while you learn the subtle difference between holding a hand and chaining a soul and you learn love doesn't mean leaning and company doesn't always mean security.

And you begin to learn that kisses aren't contracts and presents aren't always promises

and you begin to accept your defeats with your head up and and your eyes ahead with the grace of a woman, not the grief of a child.

And you learn to build all your roads on today because tomorrow's ground is too uncertain for plans and futures have a way of falling down in mid-flight.

After a while you learn that even sunshine burns if you get too much 

So you plant your own garden and decorate your own soul instead of waiting for someone to bring you flowers 

And you learn that you really can endure, that you really are strong and you really do have worth and you learn and you learn 

with every good-bye you learn." 

Poem by Veronica A.

Always. Aim high, Roam Free...