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A Valentine Gift

2/12/2022

32 Comments

 
Happy Valentine's Day, dear readers! 

Amidst the demands of the times, we pause and celebrate those we love. How wonderful is that! Stores are filled with bouquets of flowers, boxes of chocolate, and rows of cards. Today LOVE is getting needed attention. 

With Valentine greetings spread across the blogosphere, there's one special Valentine I'd like to share with you today - my grandfather Valentine F Butters. 
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Born February 14th, Val (as he was called), quickly became beloved by all who knew him. 

For most of his life, he didn't have much, and he didn't care. He loved life - the challenges, the joys, and all the moments in-between. 

What I remember most about my grandfather is his laugh. No matter the circumstance, peeling potatoes or reading me a book, he'd offer a heartfelt chuckle. 

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​My mom was a twin, and when she arrived, the whole community responded. They were the first twins in the farming community and quickly lost their names to be called "The Twins". 

​For Val, they were a miracle. He spent long hours in the fields caring for this miracle, and each year another arrived.  

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I never heard my grandfather say anything unkind or thoughtless. If he spotted one of his grandkids in tears, he'd pick them up and listen to their story, then he'd offer hugs and say, "It's not so bad, now is it?"  I heard this expression more than once, and it always made everything better. 

Much like the Twins, my grandfather saw his grandchildren as miracles. But Papo (as we called him) was our miracle. 

Thinking back over the years, there are many Valentines I cherish, but my grandfather tops the list. In his memory, I offer a simple Tanka poem and wish you a very happy Valentine's Day.  
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32 Comments
Robbie Cheadle
2/13/2022 10:31:52

This is such a lovely post and poem, Gwen. Your Papo was a blessing to you all.

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Gwen Plano
2/13/2022 14:08:15

Thank you so much, Robbie. He truly was and in my memories, remains so. 💗

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Staci Troilo link
2/14/2022 09:12:03

What a lovely tribute, Gwen. I'm sure he's smiling on you and your family. Happy Valentine's Day. 💕

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Gwen Plano
2/14/2022 09:17:50

Thank you so much, Staci. I've felt him near for sure. Lovely man and wonderful grandfather. 💗

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Mae Clair link
2/14/2022 10:13:12

What a beautiful tribute to your grandfather, Gwen. He sounds like he was an amazing man. I love those old photos, too. This was a wonderful share. Happy Valentine's Day!

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Gwen Plano
2/14/2022 10:16:48

Thanks so much, Mae. It was a lovely experience to think back to when he was alive. 💗

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Harmony Kent link
2/14/2022 11:32:26

Gwen, this is a beautiful tribute to Gandpa Valentine and the day itself. Love and hugs 💕🙂

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Gwen Plano
2/14/2022 12:00:41

Thank you, Harmony. So kind of you to say. 🤗

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Priscilla Bettis link
2/14/2022 13:40:53

I love the descriptions of your grandfather and the Tanka. It sounds like the world was blessed by his presence.

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Gwen Plano
2/14/2022 16:03:13

He was much loved in the community. Thank you, Priscilla. 😊

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Elizabeth Gauffreau link
2/14/2022 13:50:27

I loved your heartfelt Valentine's tribute to your Papo. How fortunate you and your family were to have him.

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Gwen Plano
2/14/2022 16:03:52

We were very fortunate, thank you, Liz. 💗

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John Howell link
2/14/2022 13:51:41

What a fabulous tribute to your grandfather, Gwen. I know he loved it.

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Gwen Plano
2/14/2022 16:04:43

Thank you so much, John. I can almost hear him chuckling in heaven. 💗

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D.L. Finn
2/14/2022 15:25:56

What an amazing tanka to honor your papo Val. I loved seeing the pictures, but what touched me was he didn't have much but he treated life and his famly as miracles. Beautiful, Gwen. xo

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Gwen Plano
2/14/2022 16:05:40

So true, Denise, all of us were miracles to him. Thank you so much. 🤗

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Joan Hall link
2/14/2022 16:39:20

This is a lovely tribute to your grandfather, Gwen. He sounds like someone I would have enjoyed talking with. Thank you for sharing with us.

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Gwen Plano
2/14/2022 19:55:47

Thank you, Joan, so kind of you to say. 😊

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Pete Springer link
2/14/2022 17:12:41

I loved reading your memories of your grandfather. He sounds like a "salt of the earth" type. My wife's grandparents came over from Italy, knowing little of the language or the way of life. Yet, they started a trucking business that is still going strong today.

Incidentally, I'm reading The Choice right now and enjoying it very much. I'll be leaving a review in the next week or so.

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Gwen Plano
2/14/2022 19:56:52

Thank you, Pete, for sharing as you have. I hope you enjoy The Choice. All the best...

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Jan Sikes
2/14/2022 18:49:16

Gwen, this is the best Valentine's Day piece I have seen all day! What a wonderful tribute to a man named after this special day. Thank you so much for sharing. And the haiku is just beautiful! Happy Valentine's Day Hugs sent your way!

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Gwen Plano
2/14/2022 19:57:53

Thank you so much, Jan. I'm so glad you liked the reflection and the poem. 🤗

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CS Boyack
2/14/2022 19:08:31

That’s beautiful.

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Gwen Plano
2/14/2022 19:58:12

Thank you, Craig. 😊

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Kathleen Pooler link
2/15/2022 01:06:22

What a beautiful tribute to your grandfather, Gwen. Those we love and lose live on to inspire and guide us. Happy Valentine’s Day!
❤️

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Gwen Plano
2/15/2022 10:14:18

They sure do, Kathy. I often think of him and others, which is always a heart-warming experience. Thank you so much. 💗

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Jill Weatherholt link
2/15/2022 04:35:48

What a beautiful tribute to your grandfather, Gwen. He sounds like a man who I would have loved to be friends with. Actually, he sounds a lot like his granddaughter. xo

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Gwen Plano
2/15/2022 10:12:49

How sweet of you to say, Jill. Thank you, my friend. Blessings... 💗

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Vashti Quiroz-Vega link
2/15/2022 11:53:12

What a lovely Valentine's post, Gwen. I enjoyed it very much. <3

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Gwen Plano
2/15/2022 15:33:13

Thank you so much, dear Vashti. I'm sending hugs your way... 🤗

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Diana Peach link
2/18/2022 08:25:32

Aww, Gwen. What a touching and love-filled post. Such beautiful memories of your grandfather. Grandparents can be special people, a source of unconditional love without constraint. I'm so glad you had this wonderful man in your life.

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Gwen Plano
2/21/2022 15:45:40

Thank you so much, Diana. He was a wonderful man for sure, beloved by all. 💗

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Everything can be taken from a man but one thing: the last of the human freedoms—to choose one’s attitude in any given set of circumstances, to choose one’s own way. ―Viktor E. Frankl, Man’s Search for Meaning


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