ON THE PORCH love

by penny a parrish

A four-lletter word we could use more of lately.

February brings us Valentine's Day, a celebration of hearts and flowers. But perhaps in the midst of this cold winter month, we should re-examine what "love" means to us.

For couples it can be a time of new beginnings or treasured rituals. For others it can be a time to reflect on special relationships that make life meaningful.

I am thankful for friends that I love. Some live close by and I see them often downtown at restaurants, walking our wonderful trails or visiting art galleries (like Brush Strokes where I am a member!). Others live in various states or in other countries. I see them less frequently, but love abounds when we meet. I even came to love "ZOOM" during these three difficult COVID years because faces that make me smile could come into my living room and change my mood from grumpy to joyful.

I love the animals who have brightened my life, who shared years of devotion and warmth. From dogs to turtles to birds - and of late, especially cats. Little old Sweet P, now 18 and deaf, continues to bring furballs and laughter to my life.

I love my old car - a 1963 MGB named Toodles. She runs when she feels like it, and being a good British car that means only on sunny days when the temperature hovers between 62 and 76. I've had her since the late 70s and driving her, top down, on a gorgeous spring or autumn day lets me take in the scenery and fresh air. I only wish there was less traffic and fewer pickup trucks on my bumper.

I love music and live in an area where I can benefit from symphonies, bar bands and street musicians. I love history. What better place to live than Virginia, to learn from its past and help shape its future. I probably had classes in high school in Illinois that touched on the Civil War. But living here I have benefitted from those who study it and share their research. To live here is to find a deeper meaning in our history.

Other things that I love: pickleball with the Pickle Belles. We are "women of a certain age" and we play outdoors, even in the winter when we bundle up in warm clothes. We're not going to win any tournaments, but we share the gift of laughter and get some exercise at the same time. I love wine and good food, and enjoy sharing local eateries with friends and relatives from out of town. They are amazed at the quality and variety of restaurants in the Burg.

I have used the word "love" a dozen times so far. Now let me focus on some areas where I think we all could use or share a little bit more of it.

Politics The art of civil discourse has all but disappeared in in so many places. We do not have to love those with differing opinions, but we should strive to treat them with respect or tolerance. We need to learn to listen to each other again I just finished a book where the protagonist always counts to ten before speaking or taking any action. A very solid plan.

Those of us on the "back nine" as they supposedly say in golf (not my sport) should be doing more to reach out to the younger generation Yes, many of us are in awe of their ability to type with their thumbs on their phones and don't understand half the words they are using. But it behooves us as adults - or seniorsto reach out to them, to mentor them, to validate them. They have had a very tough three years with school interruptions and isolation from friends. In all my years, I never had to go through anything like that. They are our future. Treasure - and love them.

This month reflect on all that you love, and those who love you. Go beyond the concept of cards and chocolate. Do something special for someone you care about, and you will get love in return. Then grab a cup of coffee, or a glass of wine, and celebrate one more thing we all love: Front Porch Magazine, cover to cover.

Following her careers in television journalism and law enforcement, Penny Parrish now pursues a new passion: photography