By Sue Staton

By the time you read this, Valentine’s Day will be over. Many of you will have received Valentine cards, flowers, candy, perfume or been taken out to dinner. Some may be given expensive gifts.

I have to admit I have been the recipient of all of the things I have written about in my lifetime on Valentine’s Day. However, there is never a Valentine’s Day I am not reminded of the time my daddy went over to the country store and brought my mommy home a candy bar and told her he was sorry but that was the best he could do for her on that day.

He told her he loved her and kissed her. She was as happy with that gift as she was with any he ever gave her. I will never forget that moment in my life because I saw love in their eyes.

It is no surprise to me the heart represents Valentine’s Day because love has to begin from the heart. Those who have fallen in love know the joy in feeling that love. However, love is a gift we can give from our heart daily.

This week I am going to do my very best to spread love around. I began today and called Jean Brody in Colorado. I think it was a good surprise for her and I loved talking to her again. I let her know how much we love and miss her in Kentucky and she told me she still misses Kentucky and wishes she could spend her final days here. She still makes the best of every day in Littleton, Colorado. Maybe there is someone you have not spoken to for awhile. Give them a call.

There are so many ways we can spread love to one another. It is not the expensive gifts that mean the most to people, it is the kind things and words said to them daily. I know a few people who never let a week pass by that they do not do something kind for someone else. I wish I could say that person was me but I think I am like so many other people and often forget about others in this busy world we live in.

Sometimes, it may just be a card to lift someone’s spirits or a hug.

For me, the greatest gift of all is the power of prayer. I still think that is the greatest gift anyone can give to another. I am reminded of this each time I hear someone requesting prayer for a loved one such as a little baby with cancer. To those parents,  prayer is what they need above any other gift and that is for their child to be healed. Having been in a health crisis with my own daughter when she was little and then to have a grandchild come close to death several times, nothing else mattered in life but for that healing to take place. Sometimes prayer is the best gift of love.

The greatest gift of love was shown to us when Jesus died on the cross for us. He set the ultimate standard for us to live by when it came to love. We are to love one another enough to make sacrifices for them.

It has been proven many suicides are caused because the person feels unloved or unwanted. If I had a wish today, it would be this would be erased from society. Parents need to teach your children to be more caring for other people. Usually they can tell who in their classes need a kind word or a smile. Teach them to not ignore them but at least send a smile their way.

Whatever way you choose to show love to others is your choice, but the song that keeps ringing in my ears is this one, “What the world needs now, is love, sweet love.”

The lyrics go on to say, “not just for some, but for everyone.” Love is not meant to be given to only the elite but to everyone on earth. Many times the people who appear to have it all are lacking the feeling of love. Many children who grew up in homes where their parent was a Hollywood star  said all they wanted was more time to spend with their mom and dad instead of a nanny.

It seems in the world we live in today, that song is needed more than it ever has.

Children learn love from their parents. If you had a parent who did not show you love, do not be guilty of not showing love to your child.

For the record, let me say I love everyone and I truly mean that. Some people I may like better than others, but I still love them all. Let us help to give the world love, sweet love and give it to everyone.

Sue Staton is a Clark County native who grew up in the Kiddville community, a grandmother who is active in her church, First United Methodist Church, and her homemakers group, Towne and Country Homemakers.