Happy Valentine's Day!

It is nice to have an excuse to post a photograph I took of this beautiful bloom in the hospital's rose garden. I see the evidence of love every day at work.

My co-worker Holly is getting married next weekend and we share in her excitement as she prepares for the big day.

Another co-worker, Bonnie, has a new baby and her love for little Joshua grows day by day.

Becky's father has dementia and she answers his repetitive questions and his attempts to orient himself patiently and quietly. He has word finding difficulties and can't remember her name but once in a while blurts out, "See her? I love her!" It brings tears to our eyes to see this love.

We often see couples who have been married for decades who still demonstrate their love with tenderness and dedication even though one of them has suffered a significant illness.

Some staff members have a special gift of showing love to the most difficult people, treating them with respect and dignity.

I found a page of love quotes by children and found the following ones filled with profound wisdom and expressed in simple, honest words.

When my grandmother got arthritis, she couldn't bend over and paint her toenails anymore. So my grandfather does it for her all the time, even when his hands got arthritis too. That's love.

Love is when someone hurts you. And you get so mad but you don't yell at them because you know it would hurt their feelings.

Love is what makes you smile when you're tired.

If you want to learn to love better, you should start with a friend who you don't like to play with.

Love is like a little old woman and a little old man who are still friends even after they know each other so well.

When you tell someone something bad about yourself and you're scared they won't love you anymore. But then you get surprised because not only do they still love you, they love you even more.

When someone loves you, the way they say your name is different. You know that your name is safe in their mouth.

The last quote is my favourite!

Romantic love may not be on everyone's agenda, but we all need to give love and be loved. Valentine's Day is not about chocolates and jewelry and special dinners and cards, but a day to think about true love and commitment no matter what our circumstances are.