February, you are a challenging, volatile month causing chaos overnight with your merciless winter weather surprises. Not sure why you insist on doing that. We know you possess some compassion tucked deep inside because for many successive days we’re freezing and slipping dangerously everywhere, and then, voila, you gift us with a 24-hour hint of spring. Just enough to entice us to believe relief is around the corner. We’re smarter than to think you’ve mellowed because that warmer air never lingers long enough for us. But right in the middle of the month, when our patience and tolerance are nearly depleted, you shower us with the love and endearment of Valentine’s Day. You are quite fickle, February!

This year you have an extra day to spend anyway you want. Be kind. More snow and overcast days accomplish nothing except more frustration. Yes, it also teaches us to be grateful. Some of us had more than adequate time to learn about gratitude the end of December when you and Mother Nature combined forces to knock out the power for varying amounts of time depending on where we call home. Please, no more, we’ve been enlightened, pun intended.

Let’s focus on the Valentine aspect. Love and affection, red hearts, cards that say what we find difficult to express throughout the year, you deliver it all, February. But we’re sadly aware of folks whose mailbox or kitchen table is void of any fancy red or pink envelopes expressing even a hint of loving sentiments. How sad. We all want and need to know we’re thought of, appreciated, liked, and hopefully loved. Even if you don’t improve the weather, perhaps you could work on gently mending the many hearts that have splintered through the years from neglect and harsh treatment.

Valentine’s Day is a delightful holiday that softens the awkwardness of telling someone we like them. If we can’t say it outright, there are basic greeting cards for sale in the Dollar Store, grocery and drug stores, even convenient stores, and Hallmark features fancy ones. Online cards can also deliver the message free of postage charges for the budget-minded. For those who prefer that extra special touch, a new postage stamp debuted on Jan. 12 designed for use throughout the year, but particularly appropriate for Valentine’s Day. We can support the services of the U.S. mail, cause smiles for the mail carriers as they deliver all those lovely stamped envelopes, and at least for one day, make the mail special for the recipients of our greetings.

“Say it with flowers,” if you like or with a box of candy. Say it exactly the way you choose with words of your own. Hand-designed and written cards are keepsakes to cherish for the moment and for posterity. Valentine’s Day is special for children, moms and dads, grandparents, seniors, friends, and anyone whose day would be brightened by a remembrance. We often think of Feb. 14 as a day for romance, and it can be, but it doesn’t need to be limited only to that. Love has many dimensions and Valentine’s Day speaks to affection on a variety of levels.

So, February, do what you must, but please go easy with the snow and cold, and pile on the many facets of love throughout the month!