SPECIAL HOLIDAYS

   VALENTINE’S DAY was always special for me when I was a child and that was more than 70 years ago.  I began my writing career by composing little Valentine poems.  Now, living at Carrington Retirement Home in Vernon, we have an opportunity to see the Valentine cards made by the Grade 2 children who attend a nearby school.  The student’s artwork page has carefully printed outlines to fill in with coloured chalk and it is a joy to see them working so diligently.  The teachers from the school supervise them here on the 14^th day of February.  The children stop near someone they would like to give their card to after it has been completed.  Our two students immediately sat on the floor in front of us.  Seated next to me is Eileen, a friend I met here when attending a meeting with the quilting group.  The students do not seem to notice that we are quite elderly, perhaps reminding them of their grandparents, as they begin selecting colours.  They start printing “Happy Valentine Day,” and then begin filling in the outlined borders of the pictures and print other happy wishes along with symbols of hearts for Valentine day.  “You are very pretty,” Alanna said as she turned her attention to the Valentine card and pencil box as she rattled through all the colours to find that special one.  “I am McKenna.” our other new friend said to Eileen who is seated next to me.  She is my fellow resident and quilting friend.  Eileen works with Faith who heads up our quilting group here. When the quilts are complete they will be given to needy families.    

Alanna has flowing auburn hair and tells me her twin brother has brown hair but couldn’t come today because he had a cold and had to stay home.  McKenna has fair hair with a dainty braid at the front.  It is obvious they are good friends.  Most of the students are wearing winter tights and many of them pop up once in awhile to rush over to other classmates to borrow one of their pencils to make their card neat and balanced nicely.  Each one finishes up her works of art and presents her completed card to her new Carrington friend.  Cookies are being passed around and each child leaves the visitation area munching on one of them as they line up in the hallway to return to their school for the noon hour.  We residents realize it is time for our noon meal as well and I am sure we all feel richer for our interaction with our new student friends.