Happy Valentine's Day

In my classroom (my happy place) 2011 & 2012 on Valentine's Day I always and still Feel da Luv!

In my mind today I'm thinking about Valentines, bread, and love. Hold on students! I know it's a holiday, but we have a lot of learning to do. Put down the chocolate and the cards! I need you to open your eyes and ears. First, do you know where Valentine's Day originated? In the third century A.D., Rome had an emperor named Claudius II. He banned all marriages. Why? He wanted a strong, unmarried group of young male soldiers. So of course many young, strong men wanted to be married before possibly marching to their untimely graves, but it was against the law. Where does marriage originate anyway? I hear you students and you're right. It's a sacrament given from God. So who other than a bishop from the Catholic Church came to give these couples this wonderful sacrament, but he did so in secret. Why? He had to do it in secret because he was breaking the law! Was there a happy ending? I'm afraid not students. He was found out by the emperor arrested, beaten, and beheaded. He gave his life for love. So kudos to Bishop Valentine aka St. Valentine for being responsible for this day of love on our holiday calendar. What have I told you over and over students? Love is eternal. Now you know "the rest of the story" as Paul Harvey would say.

Bread. Let's be specific, daily bread. We humans need bread to sustain life. As I read this morning about the disciples leaving on the boat after having just fed the multitudes with five loaves and a few fish, they are mumbling and complaining about the lack of bread on the boat as they embark on the next leg of their tour. Jesus says, "Do you not have eyes that can see and ears that can hear? I just fed thousands and you are already having anxiety about our next meal." They didn't realize who was in their boat with them. As I roll through this chapter of my life being so dependent on others, it's easy to overlook those who keep me clean, dry, mobile, chauffeur me, suction my lungs, and put me to bed so I'm rested. They are the "grips" for the "Life of Ms. Alley" play starring Ms. Alley. What's a grip or grips? They are the people behind the scenes in a film or play that are crucial to making the film or show look effortless. Here's a quote from Media Match, Inc. describing the job of a grip, "Although the work is physically demanding and the hours are long, the work can be very rewarding." My "grips" do the grunt work to help me continue to live. God has been in my boat all along and I'm so glad my eyes can see and my ears can hear. Do yours? I know my "grips" are gifts directly from God. Valentine's Day is a day to express love for all those who keep your boat afloat through even the most horrific life storms: losing a loved one, a terminal disease, mental illnesses, financial woes, and addictions. Today, students show those to whom give you love, love in return. Remember you are never alone in your boat of life and the captain of the boat is a mere carpenter from Galilee. "Feel da Luv!" as Ms. Agee would say.

Happy St. Valentine's Day!

Sarah Anderson Alley

Quote of the Day:

"To be loved, be loveable"

Ovid

Dedicated to the many "grips" in my life. I love you.