“My Valentine”
“My favorite Valentine is not
A frilly one with lace
And bows and fancy trimmings
I can buy most any place.
The one I like is crudely wrought
And somewhat smudged
with wobbly lines,
Each word endeared with passing years,
’To Mother, Be my Valentine.’”
The Valentines from our kids are safely put away in boxes up in the attic. Most are red hearts with paper lace on them. Another is one with an eye drawn on it, saying, “I love you, Mom and Dad.” When our kids were little, they loved giving the Valentines that had a lollypop included with them to their classmates. Although there are many Valentines sent to our address each year, Christmas time earns the honor of having the most cards sent.
***
A few months ago, our friend Eileen Collins asked Hubby, daughter Sue, and me if we would like to go to a Super Bowl party at the Terrell Room at the Quincy Elks. Hoping that the Patriots would be one of the teams playing, we said “yes.” Eileen bought the tickets early, just in case the Patriots made it. We had been to the Super Bowl party last year, but we didn’t know either of the teams and had no preference. It was difficult to get excited. We were, however, excited for two weeks ahead of the big game because our favorite team was in it.
When we arrived in Quincy, Eileen was already seated at a big table, with her pals Evie Dunne and Phyllis Hartford. Friend Linda Sullivan was already there and so were Marilyn Ferrara, Marie Schallmo, Caroline Innello. Carol Murphy, Gwen Adams, Linda Flaherty, and Claire Linehan. We could have ordered food before the game, including a roast beef dinner, or just hors d’oeuvres, but we had already eaten and there was to be food at half-time for those who purchased tickets. There were a few snacks on the table: Hershey Kisses and Swiss rolls, both decadent. We bought pitchers of Diet Coke for most of us. We were delighted that Helen Bradley’s granddaughter Helen was one of the waitresses on duty that day. Before she left at the end of her shift, she came over to speak with us.
The game began. We were somewhat disheartened toward the middle of the game, but certainly happy with the ending. We loved some of the commercials at half-time. I enjoyed the Budweiser commercial with the little lost puppy who finds his friends, the Clydesdales. The horses get him out of a very dangerous situation.
As always, the food was good at the Terrell Room. We had chicken parm, ziti, roast beef in mushroom gravy, mashed potatoes, mixed vegetables, and for dessert, a magnificent strawberry shortcake. We also took advantage of the two regal-looking chairs in the room. We asked each of our friends to have her photo taken seated on the chair. Last year, Hubby took a picture of Norma Conley seated on one of the chairs; she looked queenly.
***
I was saddened to learn of the death of Jean (Donnellan) Lee on Jan. 31, at age 67, at Brigham and Women’s Hospital. I first met Jean through my cousin Nancy (Horgan) Cooley, who was her classmate at Boston State College. It was at BSC that she met her husband of 43 years, Robert “Bob” Lee. A native of Newton, she and Bob settled in Dorchester after their marriage and raised their three children there: Robert Jr., Maureen Maderos, and Elizabeth Angell. She served on the boards of the Murphy Community Council, the Patriots Trail Girl Scouts, plus youth programs in St. Ann Parish. For more than 27 years, she participated in the education of children during their darkest times while they were inpatient at Children’s Hospital.
I send the sympathy of my whole family to her husband Bob, to their children Bobby, Maureen, and Elizabeth, to their five grandchildren, and to her brother Charles. She will be sorely missed by her family and by the children with whom she worked.
***
Since Valentine’s Day is next Sunday, you might like to know what different flowers symbolize. Violets indicate faithfulness. (What is prettier than a nosegay of violets with a pink or red rose in the center!) Red roses are the classic symbol of love, while white roses say, unabashedly, “I am worthy of you.”
May you all enjoy Valentine’s Day on Saturday and Presidents’ Day on Monday.
