Happy Valentine's Day

I can't believe it is almost Valentine's day of 2008 already! Really where is the time going? It has been a long time since I have officially celebrated Valentine's Day in the traditional way that it is meant to be celebrated so this year is not too different. Except for the fact that all the advertisements, flyers, greeting cards are all in Dutch. My new found language is coming along slowly, I have my great moments and some not so great. I went to the store to buy some cards for my dearest family and friends for Valentine's Day and could not find any in English. So some of you are receiving a true first from me:Dutch Valentine's Day card ! It all means the same whether in English or Dutch though. I wish you all a Happy Valentine's Day filled with love, happiness and peace. Loved ones in our life extend out to much more than just our intimate relationship and I think that any day of the year you can tell them how much they mean to you. It is great though to have an official holiday that you can eat so much chocolate! I love that part :) Btw, my favorite is Cote D'or dark chocolate. That is the best! Have a wonderful Valentine's Day!

I wanted to dedicate the poem Your Laughter by Pablo Neruda to someone in my life that passed away a few years ago. He sent me this poem the last Valentine's day that he was still alive which was only a few weeks before he passed on and I just felt like recognizing him for his short time on this earth. This is for L.B. (1966-2004) whom I learned so much from.

Your Laughter

Take bread away from me, if you wish,
take air away, but
do not take from me your laughter.

Do not take away the rose,
the lance flower that you pluck,
the water that suddenly
bursts forth in joy,
the sudden wave
of silver born in you.

My struggle is harsh and I come back
with eyes tired at times from having seen
the unchanging earth, but when your laughter enters
it rises to the sky seeking me and it opens for me all the doors of life.

My love, in the darkest hour your laughter opens,
and if suddenly you see my blood staining the stones of the street,
laugh, because your laughter will be for my hands like a fresh sword.

Next to the sea in the autumn, your laughter must raise its
foamy cascade, and in the spring ,
love, I want your laughter like
the flower I was waiting for, the blue flower, the rose of my echoing country.

Laugh at the night, at the day, at the moon, laugh at the twisted
streets of the island, laugh at this clumsy boy who loves you, but when I open
my eyes and close them, when my steps go, when my steps return, deny me bread, air, light, spring , but never your laughter for I would die.



By Pablo Neruda