All you need is love

“Love is better than anger. Hope is better than fear. Optimism is better than despair. So let us be loving, hopeful and optimistic. And we’ll change the world.”

—Jack Layton

With all the snow, bad driving conditions and event cancellations, it’s quite possible you forgot that tomorrow is Valentine’s Day.

Feb. 14 is more than just a great day for restaurants, florists and retail outlets.

It’s about love ... and that’s something worth celebrating.

Valentine’s Day is not a gimmick (Halloween, yes) or invention of the Hallmark greeting card company. Valentine’s is a significant day on our calendar.

It’s not political in any way. Valentine’s Day doesn’t offend anybody.

So, instead of ODing on chocolate or buying Valentine’s Day-themed stuffed toys at Walmart, stop for a moment and reflect on its meaning.

In troubled and challenging times, is there anything wrong with saying, “I love you” to someone other than your spouse, your children or your parents?

Quite often these words are never mentioned until a person dies.

“I loved him, he was like a brother to me. He made me laugh. He was kind.”

How often have you heard this said at a memorial service, yet they never took the opportunity to tell someone that during their lifetime?

Barry Manilow was mocked throughout his career because most of his hits singles were ballads. Barry should be praised.

Love has been the inspiration for more literary works and songs than any other emotion.

Love is something we experience from an elementary-school crush to 50 years of marriage.

Yet, for an unfortunate few, they will go a lifetime without experiencing true love. That is indeed sad.

There are many other serious issues that perhaps deserve an editorial this month than Valentine’s Day.

But, if we all stopped for a moment and appreciated one another more, our country and world would indeed be a better place. Jack Layton was right.

Love can extend to making a friend from an enemy. Love can extend to burying the hatchet with an old enemy or family member. Love is indeed powerful, but so is forgiveness.

I love you.

And what’s wrong with that? I’d like to know. Cause here I go again.

I love you. —James Miller