should. shame. guilt. fear. resentment. bitterness. judgement. Ash Wednesday falls on Valentine's Day of all days this year. I've been trying to wrap my mind around these two celebrations all day. I've been rather melancholy, similar to the weather, and just quiet. I'm pondering today the idea that Ash Wednesday is a celebration of love in itself. It's the beginning of a preparatory season looking toward an empty tomb on Easter morning. It's a season of lament, of sacrifice, of giving alms. It's for looking inward in an effort to look outward and upward. This season of Lent is rich. Valentine's Day, in my opinion, is a day created by Hallmark to make more money. It's a gimmicky day where people spend entirely too much money on flowers that are already dead. I've never been one to celebrate the day with Barry - I don't know that we've ever celebrated it...but it is a fun day for my kids, to wear pink and red, and eat chocolate c
CNE
