My Bloated Amphibious Valentine.........

I think valentines day is generally regarded as an annoying chocolate covered opportunity for men to purchase lingerie for women. Which actually, now that I think about it sounds pretty cool. In-fact I would even venture to say peanut-butter away from a trifecta.

But times change, and last night after a long day at work as I muddled through the masses of others dumb enough to shop at the last minute like myself, at large department stores; I found myself thinking this isn't quite the romance I was shooting for. After purchasing 2 large helium balloons and a potted rose bush, thing; Which to my defense I have been extremely busy. Also the wife was very tired after a full afternoon of being with the kids, which at least gave me some justification for hurrying with minimal guilt.

Finally, I return home with a have large inflated frog (don't ask), and a barely inflated (really I don't want to talk about it), one time "heart looking" balloon. I find myself standing in the doorway holding a bloated amphibian on a string and dragging a big red piece of, well, plastic, and small pot with some rose blooms (I think).

Then like walking into another world, I am greeted by my 2 gleeful minions and my spouse. I am suddenly enveloped in this huge wave of positive energy. This warm blanket of happiness and love. AWESOME. The balloon. HUGE. COOL. The kids played and played with the frog; and dragged the plastic around with essentially equal glee. The smiles. Magical. Healing. Priceless.

Its like one minute I'm doing that job I do. I've probably cursed more times than the upper section of Yankees-Red Sox game. I've told jokes that Andrew Dice Clay would have removed from his act for embarrassment. All of which is done basically to survive.

But then. Then I hit that door, and its different. I don't know if my blinders pop off, or my rose colored glasses pop on; I just know I'm in a better place. And I find myself wishing that time could stand still. Forever. Forever.

Life however, like time doesn't stand still. It simply keeps on going. Reminding me daily that its rich fullness lies in the details, and if I will, but for an instant; shut up, and pay attention. Then its true beauty, which has always been present, will reveal itself. Always. If I could give anyone any advice at all. I would say "hush". "Listen". Listen for the beauty.

I was talking to a good friend the other day on the phone, when my son came over to me and basically, in three year old e's; told me to put down the phone and spend time with him. "Hush"