valentines day

[Tom Cicala]

On the Classmate web site.I posted the story about a former classmate; a man who previously could physically see,Yet is now blind. I am trying to help this individual. I have asked others,To help.This story shows up as a Valentine story.I have let it stand asSuch. For once, I was blinded, my mind clouded, the truth unclear , yet, nowI can see.Often we think of sweethearts as the sole purpose of Valentine'sDay. I think of the heart, love and the compassion that for many of us hasChanged in direction . The person that fills the bill of that sweetheartStatus has changed many times over the course of our lives.I tend to remember all those I have loved and cared for in my life. Most of youReading this fit that criteria or can relate to this reality.A friend in need is a friend in deed. You need not personally know a person to treatThem as a friend. We can not give to all those who want or need. We can tryTo lend aid to those who's needs we are aware of.We have a vast pool of resources that were born out of our communities. I have known many people,Crossed vast cultural and geographical divides, as have many of you.I believe that God has given us strength that peaks and declines over theCourse of our lives. While we are strong, we should protect and help the weak.Someday the shoe will be on the other foot for all of us and we will allNeed the strength of others.The true test of character, the selflessness weExtend to others is the measure of the content of our heart. We often talkAbout the stairway to heaven or the mansion in the sky,metaphorically. WeAll have opportunities to add a stone to our mansion or a step to ourStairway. We do this by doing or helping without the gratification that ourHuman nature makes us crave. When you do favors, so to speak, for peopleWithout being recognized or caught. The doorway to Paradise, peace andContentment is opened. Amazing things will happen in our lives, your life.I am compelled to share these thoughts and realizations. As a doubtingThomas, someone that needed all things proven to him, I have walked pathsThat give me no pride to talk about. I have stood next to and on theShoulders of kings and queens. I hope most of you will see that if you letThe less fortunate stand on your shoulders when you are strong ,you are aKing or queen and in your hours of need there will be shoulders for you toStand on. Honor and nobility are not a birth right they are qualities thatAre inside each person.Our actions determine whether or not theProverbial shoes will fit your feet. There is no greater love than to giveOf yourself. For myself, I have been known in many ways. Had great victories andTremendous discord. Certainly, adversity has not ignored me. Everything, up orDown; all the love and dislike that has been a part of my life have addedPieces to the puzzle. I have reasoned it out. Truth: that if you do goodThings good things will happen to you and yours. One person at a time, weCreate an environment on earth that will be handed down to and fromGeneration to generation. In these times of great uncertainty ,there is oneThing I am sure of. These profound understandings that I share with youAre real and true. They are as clear to me as the laws of physics. ThisValentines day, today or whenever, extend yourself and your love to othersNot just that husband ,wife, one significant other, or your children .IHave known hell on Earth. I have lived and now live Heaven on Earth. ThereIs no question which life I will choose to live , we must create itAnd develop it. Once again I will use the words of a man I admired andRespected, Dr.Francis Tracey, my High school principal, "If it is to be , itIs up to me!" .