It's strange that in English there isn't that one word that describes the feeling of longing for someone. I guess I could say I long for you but that doesn't quite fit. The word I am looking for is not exactly I miss you, I want or I desire you. When I worked in Brazil I learned the word Saudade. It encompasses all those feelings. Lately I have been reading, or trying at least, Aristotle's Nicomachean Ethics and the word Orexis arrived. Like saudade it describes a feeling bigger or deeper than a physical or emotional need.

Valentine's Day, though created to cover up a pagan fertility celebration, represents Love, I believe on higher plane. To me it's the day that brings up thoughts of longing for those I love, remembering the loving people in my life and a day to express my love for those I care about.

Luckily it's a day when we all are allowed express our love and we should. It's also a day to realize that though we all are free to express our love, we all are not free to share our love in marriage. My parents were of different faiths but they were allowed to marry. Years ago that wasn't the case and in many cultures it's still prohibited. And of course I'm sure you know that until our elected representatives stood up and said prohibiting interracial marriages was against the very foundations of civil rights, that was illegal too. i think you know where I'm going here. Yep, Love does get political. Sad to say. Standing up for the civil rights of others has always strengthened us as people and a country. I always find it strange that in this great nation we seem to always have to fight for equality. Why is that?

I believe we should "Love the one we're with" fully, freely and legally if that is your choice. If you feel the same let your elected officials know. If you don't...well, forget I ever mentioned it.

Tenho saudade for all of you, stop on by and bring in someone you love, 

Richard 

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Best wishes for the week ahead!

Frogs and Fishes,

Marilyn and the Kitschens Crew