Unnecessary Valentines

There's so many unnecessary things that surprise and catch me off guard.

Every year I get a card for Valentine's Day from my Grandma. I'm always caught off guard because it's such a little thing, so unnecessary. Who remembers that day really? A lot of men think it pointless or feel its something they have to make sure happens or they'll be in the doghouse. (For sure til Mothers Day )

Sometimes we think unnecessary can be related to stuff, what we don't need, what we don't want..or it can relate to actions, attitudes, reactions.  For example it's usually unnecessary for someone to tail your vehicle's rear end, on a one way road, congested with traffic. Absolutely nothing can be achieved by that even if it makes you feel better.

Unnecessary can mean that you were thinking of me by writing that little note of praise about my efforts.

Unnecessary is someone asking that new person if they needed something before they gave it away.

Unnecessary is responding to that email because someone is crying out for a friend in a new place.

You see I don't expect you to be nice; of course we can state our standards such as "love like Christ."  " Or we can say that we believe in equality, that we shouldn't judge.We can have little verses tacked to our walls and have our Bible's on display but we can't keep our tempers in check.

I expected you to throw a Bible verse at me, to change it when it said "forgive" and yet not forget whatever I slighted you with. To hurt me with your words, with your cold actions. To do as you said yet for you not to live it.

I expected you to cut me off through social media, through personal contact because while you want no judgement for the way you are or believe you want me to agree with everything you stand for.....

I expected you not to include me because I don't dress like all the others, I don't look like everyone else. I'm different from you.

I'm familiar with knowing that I wasn't invited, that you won't volunteer information about where that place actually is, I can hear your voices become hushed as I passed you by.

I know lies are speckled with unneeded details so you think I'll believe them more readily. And I'll receive reasons, explanations instead of you just loving enough to tell me the truth.

I get it that you feel brave through text, through Facebook, and you can say things about me and to me that you couldn't and wouldn't face to face.

It's the unnecessary thoughts that warms me to my toes.

The way you smiled and invited me, emailed and ask how it's going.

That phone call, that card, the hand clasp that says you're so glad we met. That you have a funny story to tell me. They way you grasp how a faraway child needs a birthday celebration and you come because they haven't any family around.

I don't expect you, but my lonely humanity needs someone like you.

Thank you.

Remember in every place there's always someone expecting the unnecessary.

Happy Valentine's.