Metro Creative Connection

Valentine's Day seems meaningless with all the commercialism: be sexy, buy expensive gifts, buy overpriced flowers, buy junky candy boxes, buy balloons, buy sappy greeting cards that don't sound like you, buy dinners you do not want to eat, buy ... buy ... buy.

For my family, it’s when we remember the day my wife died from cancer: Valentine’s Day 2009. We were at the hospital, doctors had her on pain killers; she wanted to tell everyone how much she loved them, then went into a drug-induced sleep and died in the early hours of Feb. 15.

During our time together on Earth, Valentine’s Day was a funny Shoe Box greeting card, dinner at home and a pot of flowers for the table that eventually went into our garden (if you can remember gardens), to the office or to the church as a gift for shut-ins.

We were happy reflecting on Valentine’s Day, appreciating having each other.

Please send your comments to AzOpinions@iniusa.org. We are committed to publishing a wide variety of reader opinions, as long as they meet our Civility Guidelines.