Hearts and More Hearts

I've always loved Valentine's Day -  (probably because this chubby girl always liked chocolate!)   I can remember the first time I learned to fold a piece a paper and cut out a beautiful heart. I was so amazed that it turned out!   I also have a very special memory of getting to go to a Girl Scout Father/Daughter Valentine Dinner.  Karla and her dad accompanied me and my dad.  I gave my dad a Valentine that I had chosen for him..."A PIZZA of my heart belongs to you!"   He loved it.    Well some Valentine memories aren't quite as special but my love of hearts and the sentiment of the day has remained.   

Well earlier this month I decided that I would let my older music classes make Valentines to give to the Veterans over at the VA hospital that we have here in Temple.   I gave the children some guidelines and wrote some sample words on the board.  Then I turned them loose with paper, scissors, glue, markers and colors.  The results were amazing.  Of course there were the funky spellings of words that came from the heart and then the most beautiful designs of hearts and flowers and flags.  I was so proud of the children for taking this job so seriously.  Of course since it was music class we listened to Beethoven and Bach while we worked.

I wasn't really sure where to even take them but on Saturday afternoon I walked into the Olin Teague Hospital with a huge box of  cards ready to be given away.  Once I saw a security guard he directed me where I needed to go and I was on my way.   As I made my way up the various floors I gave most of the cards to the different nurses' stations that were located throughout the hospital.  However if my path crossed with someone in the elevator or a waiting room I gave them a Valentine personally.  I saw one man wearing a Dallas Cowboy sweatsuit and walking very slowly with a cane.  I took a moment and told him about the cards and then handed him one.  He read it and then tears came to his eyes.  He told me that he would keep this card forever. 

So Happy Valentine's Day to all especially to our Veterans and active military.  We owe them our thanks.....after all they've given their hearts to us.