Unforgettable Valentine

Miss Ester Howland of Worchester, Massachusetts started the custom of homemade Valenines and helped me save face. Her's in1947, mine in 1940.

I was a farm boy with five brothers and a sister. This was lean times for not only us, but America. The third grade teacher asked everyone to bring and sign at least one valentine card for a classmate and deposit it in the fancy large box on the table near her.

This worried me as I knew my parents couldn't afford to buy my card. It was on my mind all week before the final day. I was very bashful and shy, and became less talkative day by day. No one seemed to notice, but they did notice my artistic ability when I drew a three-fingered "Pop Eye". I was praised by the teacher and everyone.

The day arrived, "Valentine's Day". My classmates rushed to the front and dropped their cards with a grin. I sat frozen to my seat. What could I do? Some glanced at me wondering. My face flushed and I bowed my head. Staring at me from my desk was the solution!

I had just drawn a large, black and white Zebra. I folded it in half and wrote a friend's name in the middle. I do have a valentine and smiled in relief.

The trip to the front of the room was slow and paper held high for everyone to see. I placed it in the box (in slow motion). My red tinge began to fade and in its place a smile ofsatisfaction formed. I proudly walked briskly back to my seat and plopped down, sighing.

This wasn't a fancy "stick ons" like Miss Howland's cupids, flowers and lace, but a picture drawn by labor of love. Thank God for my artistic gift.

To this day, I'll never forget that memorial event.

-- Reprint from "Storyteller" magazine, Vol. II, Issue I