I really don't get Valentine's Day

Valentine's Day card, circa 1910

This has been a not so typical week in a not so typical life. Certainly each person’s life is unique unto itself. But, what is typical for one is not necessarily typical for others.

I have been substitute teaching off and on for the last several years. More ON than OFF. (But, that’s a different story.) But, I was struck by Heather’s comments about her Valentine’s Day and was forced to reflect on my recent Valentine’s Day experience this year. As a substitute teacher, I have been required to organize an Elementary school Christmas Party (the teacher was sick or whatever on the pre-Christmas Party Day and back on the Party Day. So, I had the duty to plan the Party but not get to Party myself.)

One must assume for the difficulties of schooling the Elementary school child is rewarded with Seasonal Parties. (Fall - Thanksgiving, Winter - Christmas, Pre-Spring - Valentine’s Day, and Spring - Easter.) But, this year the teacher planned the Seasonal Party (Valentine’s Day) and I had the privilege of being the host to this Elementary School soiree.

I don’t recall being a Substitute Teacher on Valentine’s Day while at an Elementary school. And the swarm of Valentine Card giving and receiving, candies, and bakery goods was eye opening. The teacher’s desk was festooned with cards, candies, bakery goods, and a pink flowered potted plant. And I was rewarded with the tasks of dispensing the teacher’s cards to her students, bags of candies, and store baked cookies (three containers of pink frosted with red and white sprinkled jimmies* cookies.)


It was the last 20 minutes of class time. And, I didn’t resent being the surrogate host to the students or even the extra cleaning of Valentine’s Day debris. But, being with younger children is not only eye opening. It is rewarding and special.

But, back to Heather’s comment - I don't really get Valentine's Day. But, what is there to get? In a busy, hectic, and chaotic World, I think the Elementary school teachers have it right. It's not really the Holiday trappings and such. Sometimes you just have to stop to smell the pink flower potted plant and have a treat (candy, cookie, or cupcake).

Love Uncle Jerry.

* jim·mies pl.n. Small particles of chocolate or flavored candy sprinkled on ice cream as a topping. (and bakery goods.) ;-) GC

Happy Birthday Heather

Happy Groundhog’s Day -
February 2, 1977 - Heather Lynn H. is born.

During Heather’s baptism at St. Christopher’s Church the elderly Irish priest commented, “Heather Lynn H., now that’s a good Irish name.” Then after looking at the half Filipino and Caucasian infant the Irish priest added, “Well, it’s still a good Irish name.”

When Heather was only 22 months old both her parents, Grace and Larry, traveled to Europe. Her Uncle Manny cared for Heather at her parent’s home. As Heather’s parents toured Europe, Uncle Manny and Heather would drive to the near by Baldwin Park home of Heather’s Grandparents, Gene and Arcadia Costales, for occasional meals and visits.

As they ate one Sunday meal, Heather spotted a small photo of her parents atop the piano at her Grandparents. Heather began to cry, “Mommy, Daddy.” The family gave the crying Heather the photo of her parents to comfort the sobbing 22 month old child. So, while Grace and Larry finished their vacation, Grandma Arcadia hid her parents’ photo during the remaining meals and visits Heather and Uncle Manny made to Baldwin Park.

At age 5, Heather, Grace, and Larry moved to Darmstadt, Germany. Before the move, Heather was asked if she would miss her Uncles, her future Aunt Pam, and Grandparents. Heather answered, “I’ll just swim back to see you.” Their first tour of Germany was from 1982 - 1985.

The stress of the move caused Heather to literally pull her hair out. And in the shadow of Frankenstein’s Castle, which sat atop a hill, Heather’s family settled into a home in a small village at the base of the hill. Heather would learn German at a German school and told us of eating “cabbage cooked in grape juice” (red cabbage) while at school.

Heather’s family returned to live in Southern California from 1985 - 1987. Heather's family would return to Germany and lived in Langen near Frankfurt from 1987 - 1991. All this traveling and moving was due to Larry’s job with the Army Corp. of Engineers.

Heather’s family final move would settle them in Pearl City, Hawaii, a suburb of Honolulu, from 1991 - 1995. Heather graduated from Moanalua High School in 1995. Heather attended Yale University from 1995 - 1999. While attending Yale, Heather had a commitment to Air Force ROTC which partially paid for her education. Heather graduated Yale in 1999.

(Click on the following link for information on the "Menhunes" - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Menehune )

Heather was an officer in the Air Force from 1999 - 2004. While in the Air Force, Heather met and then would marry Alan G. in 2001.

February 2, 2007 finds Heather in Alaska with Alan, her 3 year old daughter Meggie, and newborn daughter Laurel.

HAPPY 30th BIRTHDAY to our favorite Groundhog.






Love Uncle Jerry, Aunt Pam, Cousins Sean, Brianna, Ryan, and Opal (woof).

PS - I need to credit Grace for the dates, etc. of Heather's 30 adventrous years.

PPS - Special thanks to Linda Smith (my favorite redhead sister-in-law) for corrections on dates used in this piece. ;-) GC