These are LOVE BEARS. The ladies of my church (Pilgrims United Church of Christ in Fruitland Park, FL) knit and crochet these little bears for children who have AIDS. They are knitted with LOVE. Although Valentines day is more associated with "romantic" love I couldn't help but share this little basket of generous and selfless love. For love has many many shades.Today is Valentine's Day, the day on which we celebrate love, especially romantic love. The holiday was named after an early Christian priest, St. Valentine, who was martyred on February 14 in 269 A.D.
The tradition of exchanging love notes on Valentine's Day originates from the martyr Valentine himself. The legend maintains that due to a shortage of enlistments, Emperor Claudius II forbade single men to get married in an effort to bolster his struggling army. Seeing this act as a grave injustice, Valentine performed clandestine wedding rituals in defiance of the emperor. Valentine was discovered, imprisoned, and sentenced to death by beheading. While awaiting his fate in his cell, it is believed that Valentine fell in love with the daughter of a prison guard, who would come and visit him. On the day of his death, Valentine left a note for the young woman professing his undying devotion signed "Love from your Valentine."
These bears are wonderful! And I think LOVE of all kinds should be celebrated on Valentine's Day - not just romance. I'm afraid I'm behind with my favorite blogs and still catching up but will see what you've been up to soon.
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful thing to do - it's always good to hear about something positive happening in this world!
ReplyDelete