Leafing through the yellowed pages of my diary, I found a journal entry written on February 14, 1979. The wonderful thing about keeping a journal is one is able to relive those youthful years and feel giddy all over again. Oh my, were we that cheesy!? Looking back that day, I wrote I saw him through the window carrying a single red rose and a gift. Clutching the red rose, Butch chuckled at the scene unfolding before him. Just like the movies, he muttered. Three pages of sweet nothings where my sappy ex-boyfriend declared his undying love and our dreams in my paper journal. In the last part of my journal entry, he had whispered “Let’s make Valentine’s day the whole year through”. kilig. Today is our 43th Valentine’s Day celebration.
Though our love endured, it was not all roses and sweet nothings.
The childlike scribble of the I love you that my son wrote in his handmade Valentine’s day card never fails to bring tears. Tears of joy, of course. Reading through the same journal entry of February 14, 1979, Butch and I wove dreams of our first-born son who we called Jose Luis back then. (Jose, because both our fathers are Jose’s and Luis for Butch’s actual name.) Many years later, the dream of our Jose Luis materialized, whom we nicknamed Luijoe, for short. The reality lasted for six glorious years. I caress the crayon drawn heart in this card to remind myself that death may have taken our son away but his love and memories remain alive and pure in our hearts.
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As with the past 44 Valentine’s Day , we celebrate it at home with my husband. Since we could not spend Christmas Day together in 2020 except via Zoom so today, we wore our ugly Christmas shirt. Never too late to celebrate love and life. 
Let’s remember what love truly is…
Love is patient. Love is kind. Love isn’t jealous. It doesn’t sing its own praises. It isn’t arrogant. It isn’t rude. It doesn’t think about itself. It isn’t irritable. It doesn’t keep track of wrongs. It isn’t happy when injustice is done, but it is happy with the truth. Love never stops being patient, never stops believing, never stops hoping, never gives up.
Love never comes to an end
<< 1 Corinthians 13 >>
Happy Valentine’s Day to you and your family, Noemi! Good to see that you have been able to keep your journals from the BB (before blogs) era. Nice to have finally met you personally at the Happy Slip Meet & Greet.
@angel- Thanks for the greetings, Angel. those paper journals do come in handy after many years. It’s good to reminisce. Nice meeting you too. Happy valentine’s day.
happy red day!
masyadong espesyal ang mga sulat na binigay ng anak mo sayo.
nakakatuwa at hanggang ngayon, pinapaligay ka pa rin niya in many ways,
those cards are really priceless, because they are made with love, I just could imagine the joy that it brings you.
I also treasure cards crafted by my ishi, i’ll be waiting for a card from my li’l boy icko soon.
Happy heart’s day, stay happy and continue to inspire others 🙂
This made me cry. I feel the same way with regards to my mom and my brother who died 2 and 9 years ago, respectively.
Happy Valentine’s Day!
Happy Valentine’s Day to you and your family, Noemi.
Spread the love! 😀
happy hearts day! 😀
ohh…i wish i have a mom like you.
Hope you had a Happy Valentine’s Day with Butch and the girls Noemi. Was touched by the sight of Luijoe’s scribbles. I also treasure those hand-made cards my kids give me, even if they are requirements in school:)
Hi Noemi!
Happy heart’s day! I also received yesterday a valentine card from my first born son, Derick with a tight hug and kisses. Saying that I am the best mom!. Valentines is always a special day for us. It is my birthday and also Derick’s birthday (what a coincidence!).
Deb
Hi Noemi, Happy Hearts Day, belated. This is a wonderful post. I like the card that Luijoe made for you and hubby. Such a sweet boy. I bet he’s happy seeing you with his card. And your love story is really nakakakilig. Good thing you still have your diaries with you….
Hi Tita Noemi! 🙂 Happy hearts’ day! 🙂 This post made me cry. Thanks for always inspiring me and the others to be always close and love everyone 😉
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@lad madrigal- remembering my son always brings bittersweet memories
@cielo- i treasure all the things created by my children. I kept them in a treasure box of memories.
@she- the tears are a sign that we loved deeply.
@ajay- yes I keep all the kids’ drawings through the years. They are precious
@deb- what a special day it must have been
@rowena- i read the diary entry to my husband and we were both laughing at ourselves
@dyanie- thanks 🙂 I also teared while writing this entry. Love just never dies. Love never comes to an end.
I am always touched when people share the difficult times in their lives. I believe it does help us and others to cope with difficulties we all face a different times in our lives. I’ve not been brave enough to share mine in a blog – maybe oneday. Thanks for sharing your journey so sensitively and encouragingly.
Belated Happy Love Day.
That was… a beautiful, touching entry. You truly bring beauty and inspiration to all of us. Thank you.
what a precious memory 🙂
It must be one of your precious possessions, that long ago card from your son. I see it being kept in a treasured place in your home .. but more so in the sanctum sanctorum of your heart.
See ya soon.
Thanks for the visit sis. 🙂
Oh sis…browsing through your blogs’ pages takes me to a place that is so foreign. You are one amazing lady! I praise God for allowing you to process everything like you do. I looked through the pages when you were with your son last and I can’t help but cry. I don’t know what to say. May God’s grace abound in you even as you minister to other people who are in the same circumstance.
God bless you more sis and belated happy V day! 🙂
Have a tag for you sis, I hope to know you more.
http://aspacio.blogspot.com/2008/02/gtky-tag.html
Seeing your son’s Valentine card made me teary-eyed… I remember giving my parents weird card drawings before, and I thought it didn’t really mean anything. Now I know that it does, esp. if it’s the last. God bless!