Valentine’s Day has never been an important day in our family. We did all the normal activities. I shopped for cards, Valentine’s, and gifts for Madison’s classmates and teachers. I put items together and had Madison write her name on each one. It was too much for her to write a full message on each of them, but she loved to sign and play with them. Most of all, she loved the idea of giving her friends and teachers a gift. It always excited her when she had a chance to make people smile. The love she had for people was always on her face and I miss how giggly she was on the way to school thinking about being able to show her generosity to everyone. Of course, some of that excitement was knowing she would also be getting something in return. I miss shopping for those little cards and toys knowing her tastes and easily choosing what I knew she would like. I miss watching Madison try her best to write her name on each one with her little hands. I miss telling her she can’t keep all the toys. I miss helping her and feeling her joy. I miss complaining about all the candy she would inevitably bring home, and the funny little noises she would make playing with her new toys and eating her candy.
Yesterday was harder than I expected. I suspect there will be more days like it to come.