Spreading only love this Valentine’s Day

Let the people you care about most know you’re thinking of them from a social distance

Iread a happy Covid story during the week, yes really, I could hardly believe it myself ! There is a lady in Co Kildare who has started an initiative whereby members of the public can write to people in care homes and they become penpals. She put a request out on social media for anyone wishing to take part and 11,000 people responded. Since the initiative began in October, hundreds of letters have been exhanged and friendships forged. The woman who started it all is called Stacey Fiat and she said: “We had an amazing response, it was something I wasn’t prepared for. It was great. They chat about everything, from their interests to sports and anything they want to talk about.

“The residents can’t believe people want to write to them. The nursing homes were completely overwhelmed by the letters and there has been so much excitement around it. Residents have struggled so much without seeing family so this has helped them a bit.”

But the most heartwarming part is found in the response of the care home residents and staff. Ian Sutton, who is living in Larchfield Park Care Centre in Naas, Co Kildare, said: “The letters made me feel wonderful. It gave me the feel good factor.”

And Mary Darker, who works at Craddock House in Naas, said: “With text messages, emails and mobile phones, the joy of receiving a hand-written letter had almost been forgotten. What fun we have had reading the letters to our residents.”

As signified in this story, one of the greatest joys in life is receiving a hand-written card or letter, especially nowadays when our lives are dominated by social media and screentime. I have always rejected those Kindle devices (yet another screen) as they just aren;t the same as holding a book in your hand. Similarly, a text/WhatsApp/Facebook message doesn’t come close to holding a handwritten letter. I still have a box full of all the most sentimental notes/letters/cards.

On a rainy day, I love to curl up and rifle through my life of memories to remember all those who have loved in the past and those who I still love today. Hard copy proof of a life pre mobile phones.

As our letterboxes and doorways get bombarded with bills, junk mail and more bills these days, could there be anything more joyful than finding a hand-written letter or card from someone you love and who you haven’t seen in a very long time?

Next Sunday is Valentine’s Day and I believe it is the perfect opportunity to make someone feel extra special by sending them something special through the door – particularly if you haven’t seen that someone in a very long time.

I have featured two local businesses which have a fantastic collection of Valentine’s Day Cards which will really resonate with those living in Northern Ireland and will definitely give them a laugh, and special piece of art which is very apt for these times.

But, honestly, you could just rip a couple of sheets from a notebook and write a letter as I can guarantee it will put just as big a smile on your loved one’s face.

In these times, it’s the thought that counts, it’s the effort that counts and it’s the fact that you are thinking of them even though you haven’t seen them in months that counts.

So make this Valentine’s Day count as, after all, love really is all you need...