By Zee Chevalier
February is nature’s way of making sure that we appreciate May.
Bill Tammeus
The snow had begun in the gloaming
And busily all the night
Had been heaping the field and the highway
With a silence deep and white.
Jane Russell Lowell
Winter came early this year; the first snowfall was in October. We’ve experienced fluctuating temperatures and various forms of precipitation ever since. At times, walking outdoors has been extremely challenging. Many days the melted snow has frozen, creating natural skating rinks; a great hazard, so be very careful. Many thanks to the Good Samaritans who cleared the snow from the parking area at the Clinton Seniors’ Centre, and sanded the icy conditions that followed. Your help is greatly appreciated.
I do not have a date for the Foot Clinic, but I am sure that if you call Colleen Thom, RN AFCN FCNed, at 1-250-819-1632 you will get the information you need.
The Clinton Seniors’ Association mourns the death of Ann Trembath. Sincere condolences to the family on the passing of their beloved family member.
The Clinton Seniors’ Association’s regular general meeting follows lunch on February 15 at the Centre at 217 Smith Avenue. The Association currently has fifteen members; come and join us! New voices are welcome to help us plan our various endeavours. Membership is $15 annually. Regular general meetings are held on the third Thursday of the month, and we pay $3 for a lunch of soup, sandwiches, and cake.
There are three fundraisers in the year: the Daffodil Tea in March, the July 1 Yard Sale, and the Marketplace in November. On the first Thursday of the month we have lunch at a local restaurant. This year’s Daffodil Tea is coming up on March 14. Mark your calendars, and hope for decent weather and daffodils!
St. Peter’s Catholic Parish held its annual Shrove Tuesday Pancake Brunch on February 13 in the Royal Canadian Legion Branch #194 basement.
I’ve been reading a story in which a father directs his daughter to the fruits of the (Holy) Spirit as found in the Epistle of St. Paul to the Galatians, 5:22. The first is LOVE. In the month of February it seems appropriate to talk about love. It is, after all, the month in which we celebrate St. Valentine’s Day on the 14th, one of the six special days in this month.
The dictionary defines love as a noun: an intense feeling of deep affection, or as a person or thing that one loves, and adds twenty-four definitions such as fondness, ardour, desire and darling, sweetheart, etc. Love is also a verb meaning care very much for, or feel deep affection for, or be smitten with, plus fifteen additional synonyms.
Ancient Greek philosophers identified four forms of love, essentially familial love, friendly love, romantic love, and divine love.
Many books are written on this subject. It’s absolutely impossible to cover it in a few inches of a newspaper column, but just a few words to get you thinking about it… .
Love in its various forms acts as a major facilitator of interpersonal relationships, referring to love between human beings: family members, friends, or couples. Love is one of the most common themes in creative arts. People love objects, principles, or goals to which they are deeply committed and greatly value.
Dorothy Day, who worked tirelessly throughout her life seeking peace and justice, said “Love and ever more love is the only solution to every problem that comes up. If we love each other enough, we will bear with each other’s faults and burdens… . It is love that will make us want to do great things for each other.” People may “love” material things, animals, or activities. People say they love life itself.
Love begets love. Think of the way a baby reacts when she sees her mother, or of the interaction between a child and a pet. To love others as yourself is a strong admonition in the Bible. “Love one another” (John 4:7, 11). Who isn’t familiar with “And now these three remain; faith, hope, and love, But the greatest of these is love.”
Love Defined
Love is patient and kind; it is not jealous or conceited or proud; love is not ill-mannered or selfish or irritable; love does not keep a record of wrongs; love is not happy with evil, but is happy with the truth. Love never gives up; and its faith, hope, and patience never fail. Love is eternal.
Hundreds and hundreds of great writers have penned love quotations that have become familiar: “’Tis better to have loved and lost/Than never to have loved at all.” (Alfred, Lord Tennyson)
“Where there is love there is life.” (Mahatma Gandhi)
It is indeed one of the strongest of emotions, and every way it is said and every time it is spoken it is acceptable. It rolls off our tongues so effortlessly. “I love winter.” “I love chocolate chip cookies.” Do you say “I love you” with sincerity and feeling and heartfelt meaning often enough to the ones who mean the most to you?
Happy Valentine’s Day!
Happy Birthday to Catherine Marcoux (February 16) and Isabel Haining (February 27).
Age, like distance, lends a double charm.
Oliver Wendell Holmes
editorial@accjournal.ca
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