by Sue Hodgson –
There is so much attention and fuss over February 14, that sometimes it’s easy to forget what Valentine’s Day is all about. That is, showing people in your life how much you care. It doesn’t have to cost a lot of money or involve elaborate plans; it’s all about what love means to you. Last year was quite a rollercoaster, and the first half of 2021 might look much the same, so it’s perhaps even more significant for all of us to take the time and connect with all those people that have played a significant role in our lives. Or even spread some love to a stranger who may need it even more right now.
Love can come in so many forms. I found this the other day, by author a.r.lucas, and it sums it up so well: “We’ve been infected with this idea that love is an emotion only felt between two people. But love is universal; an energy, a contagious force, a gift; to offer money to a homeless man is love. To save a worm from the sun is to love, to smile at a stranger is love. To be grateful, to be hopeful, to be brave, to be forgiving, to be proud is to love.” I think this is such a powerful message right now.
With this issue you will love to kick off your shoes, grab a blanket and curl up on the sofa with a hot drink as we have some exciting features to share with you. Deborah Rogers goes behind the scenes at the Shaw Centre for the Salish Sea (pg 34); Jo Barnes has a conversation with the Honourable Lana Popham about local farming (pg 22), Janice Henshaw explores the sometimes complicated world of couples who live and work together (pg 11); Tania Tomaszewska (pg 30) gives us some suggested reads to learn more about what you’re sipping; and Lara Galdych has found a range of Valentine’s gifts for all the loves of your life (opposite page).
Don’t forget to look for the Seaside Box hidden somewhere in this issue! Visit www.seasidemagazine.ca/SeasideBox by February 28th to let us know where you found it.
