VALENTINE by Maria Papapetros

Ellopia Press Magazine February 2015

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     _ Wow are you spending Valentines this year Amanda?
     _ Same way I did last year.
     _ Which was?
     _ Doing my laundry as I have been doing for the past quite a few years, with almost everyone gone on a date I have the laundry room to myself. What’s the bid deal about it anyway? It’s just another day, besides with Jack out of the picture there is nothing left in me. What are you doing that day?
     _ I am going out to a dinner dance.
     _ Oh, you’ve met someone?
     _ No, I am going to a “Celebrating Love” single’s party and doing just that, honoring all the love I have in my life, there is so much to be had and cherish, I feel blessed. It is a privilege to have known it. My love for George is like a candle that lights up the dark corners of my heart.  
     _ How is that? George has been gone about seven years now.
     – Yes true, but my love for him is still alive, he did not take it with him, it lives in my heart as he does.
     _ Do you think you will ever have another meaningful relationship in your life. 
Yes I know I will. There is someone out there for me and he is coming now that I am ready.
What about George you say you love him. 
Yes I do, there is room for more than one love in my heart. 
Have you forgiven Jack yet; are you ready to have a life?
 – I think it’s too late for me, I am so afraid of my feelings, afraid to love even my family; I don’t want to get hurt again.
Love does not hurt Come to the dance with me; open your heart to love and I don’t mean just romantic love. You eat alone every night, invite your sister and her family over, they love you so much. It is alright to cry let your tears fall, invite love in your life, allow people to love you, and if time comes to part ways know that the love stays and warms you up in cold winter nights.

   _  I love you Emma, give me an hour to get ready; lets go celebrate Valentines, and a HAPPY VALENTINES TO YOU ALL!!!!
Read the magazine online here http://issuu.com/ellopia/docs/92_ellopiapress/0