Know What Day This Is?

Know What Day This Is?

Do to others as you would like them to do to you.

Luke 6:31

My husband and I had been separated for several months when I realized that Valentine’s Day was just a couple of weeks away. Talk about awkward! When two people are separated, they are not really apart, but they are not really together, either. So what is the appropriate thing to do on Valentine’s Day—send a card, don’t send a card, send a gift, don’t send a gift? It’s a real head-scratcher.

I contemplated the dilemma for several days. I even asked a friend or two what they thought about it. But an obviously right answer escaped me. Finally, I ran out of time to think about it anymore. I had to make a decision.

Always the optimist, I decided to keep it light. Do something nonthreatening. Don’t be maudlin or sentimental. Don’t make him feel bad. Don’t get mushy or be critical.

I decided not to buy a gift—that seemed just a bit too much, considering the situation. So I went to my favorite Hallmark store to see whether I could find a card that could, in any way, be appropriate. I looked for about half an hour and finally stumbled on one that I thought was perfect.

On the outside of the card was a picture of an ape scratching his (her?) head. Under the picture was the question “Know what day this is?” And on the inside was the answer: “Me neither!” It made me laugh, and I hoped it would make him smile too.

A couple of days before Valentine’s Day I addressed the card, signed it, and mailed it to my not-really-ex-yet husband. And for two days I chuckled about the card and his possible reaction.

Then, on Valentine’s Day morning, I received a dozen long-stemmed red roses at my office . . .

Dear Father, please help me to show more sensitivity toward the people in my life. Give me wisdom in how I interact with others so that they feel your kindness and care. Amen.