No 'Me' Day, V-Day
Tuesday, February 2, 2010 at 12:30PM
One year close to Valentine’s Day, I went to the store and purchased a generic box of Disney Princess Valentine’s cards. Each one was cheesier than the last, and I stuffed them in envelopes and labeled one for each friend in my group of college buddies, including Paul, a newer addition to the group who didn’t talk a lot but seemed to enjoy our company.
(Don’t mistake the gesture for thoughtful…on the contrary, the cards were my idea of a joke, a way to semi-make fun of the damned pink holiday while getting a chuckle from my friends.)
I passed the cards out at during lunch on V-Day, chucking one after another at a friend’s plate or head, finally hitting Paul. Proud of myself for a job well done as a Cheesetastic Cupid, I plowed into my meal, not noticing that while the rest of the table had moved on, Paul was still slowly opening his Valentine.
I looked up to see him staring at his card. He looked at me and said, “Thanks. I’ve never gotten one of these before,” and smiled. I started to laugh until I realized that he was serious.
“Never?” I asked. “Like, not even in elementary school?”
“Nope,” he said, “never.”
“Huh, well, I hope you like it,” I said, and continued on with my meal.
Paul went to another school after that semester, and I never saw him again. Now look, I don’t think of myself as some sort of savior-goddess for giving him his first Valentine, or that this story is an example of, “I picked up that one kid’s books after he dropped them on the sidewalk and my gesture stopped him from killing himself that day.” I’m neither that grand, nor generally that thoughtful, but remembering this story does make me think that perhaps we’ve got this Valentine’s Day thing all wrong.
Maybe, instead of hoping for a dozen roses or a romantic dinner from someone whom we already know loves us (or beating ourselves up because we DON’T have a Valentine), we should do a little extra to help the loveless this V-Day.
So I propose that we make this Valentine’s Day a “No ‘Me’ Day V-Day”. Consider forgoing that romantic date this February 14 in a favor of helping out someone (or something!) who doesn’t get a lot of love this time of year. Here are a few suggestions:
-Take some foodstuffs down to your local food bank or volunteer to serve a meal. The economy still ain’t that great, so lots of families and individuals could use a decent meal this winter (plus, all that goodwill from Christmas is long over).
-Many dog and animal shelters are also suffering from a poor economy. With people tightening their budgets at home, taking food over to a shelter is low on the financial priority list. Or, maybe your local shelter is fine on food but could use newspaper donations (to line cages) or jars of peanut butter or toys. Most shelter websites have a list of ways you can donate or volunteer, so check it out!
-While the international response has been outstanding, stuff in Haiti still is pretty shitty.
-Catch a showing of the Vagina Monologues in your area and help support V-Day, a global movement to end violence against women and girls.
What about you? What do you think about making 2010 a No ‘Me ‘Day, V-Day?
Reader Comments (9)
Great ideas Red :).
That's a really nice idea - I am taking/treating my housekeeper (she is a single Mom) and her teenage daughter out to dinner - does that count ? It was really so I wouldn't be lonely, so it IS selfish, but they are really happy since we are going to a nicer place than they usually would go, so I thought it was a win-win.
Awesome list Red! I hope to do a good deed as much as possible, especially on the 14th (or maybe have patience with the undergrads at school).
@Random--Thanks!
@Aurora--I think that DEFINITELY counts. And who cares if it's just so you won't be so lonely? I think it's great, and I'm sure they will appreciate it!
@Stitch--Hey, even a little patience will be the perfect good deed for V-Day (and I work with college students, so I understand!!)! :)
Whatever. I need a me get a beejay v-day. I haven't had a decent Valentine's day in years and I do all that shite you suggested regularly anyway.
Huh. Who knew? I'm still anti-holiday.
Ted, you are cracking my shit up today. Thank you.
Also, I'm sure beejay v-days are readily available throughout the year on Craigslist.
I like this idea!!!!
I have always enjoyed your sense of humor. I didnt really get the chance to know you back in Ny or Fla for that matter, but I think you let me borrow your little white pencil your mom sent you to make french manicures. Anyhow.. happy to find this and hope you dont mind me reading the posts. They are amazing!
Melanie! Hi! I still use those little white pencils. :) Thanks for stopping by and reading my stuff...it's so nice to run into old friends.