During my life I have been the recipient of a wide variety of "valentines". Lucky for me these wonderful gifts haven't been restricted to February 14th.

If I wrote them all down on individual grains of rice and placed them inside the Grand Canyon, it would fill it to overflowing - a mountain that would rival Mt. McKinley. Here are some tiny examples.

When I was a little girl growing up, my dad would take me out once in a while for our own special
date time. Sometimes it would be a movie, a ride on the boat, shopping, or to get something to eat. It was always special.

If I had a bad day at school or failed to make cheerleader my dad would have me sit on the floor in front of him and he would comb my hair.

My mom made my prom dress, it was a simple, beautiful dress with a garden of flowers on it. Sometimes she would fix breakfast for dinner, it would seem like a special event. Mom always made the house a fun place to bring home my friends and she let us have parties in our basement.

Before my husband went to Vietnam, he arranged that flowers would be delivered to me every Thursday while he was gone.

Pictures and homemade gifts from my sons, Tom and Jim. Even an I.O.U. that was rolled up and put inside a toilet paper tube.

Phone calls & visits with my sons and their families. Voicemail messages that I save from each of them.

Daughters - my sons' wives. They are valentines in my life. They take care of their families and treat me more like a mom than a "mother-in-law".

Hope, Noah and Jake - sharing time with them, hearing their voices, listening to them laugh, watching them at play, anytime I am with them is a treat.

My brother, sisters, nieces and nephew keeping in touch. Hearing what is happening in their world.

When a loved one says a song's lyrics reminds them of me.

Being remembered on my own special holiday celebration days: Ground Hogs Day, February 2 and the First Day of Spring, March 21.

Going out to dinner.

Sharing a travel experience.

Receiving unsolicited compliments.

Being remembered. To hear from someone and have them say they remember something about me, or something I did or said.

Flowers, teddy bears, traditional gifts and surprises.

Time that people share with me. When they share their stories or something that is going on in their life.

Brainstorming ideas.

A book that is recommended.

When someone listens.

Someone who does little things to make me feel special and spoiled.

Encouragement

Passion

Surprises

Thank yous

I have been blessed to overflowing with valentines.

May you have a wonderful Valentine's Day with joy that spills over through the year.