A Valentine Story

I was reading the newspaper this morning and came across this story, by Phil Bowhay of the Monterey County Herald. It touched my heart and I wanted to share it with you!

Valentine’s Day – always a day of romance and promise, sincere or otherwise, but never more so than in the 4th grade at Horace Mann in Bakersfield, California.

Miss Cartwright let some of the more artistic kids make the Valentine box about 2 feet square and deep, with a slot on the top, the whole thing dressed with hearts, doily paper and cut-out cupids and arrows.

The girls sent cards to each other and maybe 2 or 3 to certain boys. Those of us boys with early political instincts, included all the girls. To other boys, we sent cards mildly insulting or comic. The box filled, until on the last period of Valentine’s Day, off came the lid.

My stack grew early and I noticed that Amy Custer’s stack was growing fast too. Leila, notably unpopular, was receiving more than some of the better liked girls and it was loudly whispered, that she had sent several to herself. The box finally emptied and there were smiles around the room.

And then as we all glanced around, seeing who got what, William Bagley, sitting quietly in the back corner of the room, was looking out the window, maybe just the touch of a tear on his cheek. William was not popular and worse, he was one of the kids who was just plain ignored. Neither liked or disliked, he just wasn’t noticed. A few freckles, reddish hair, clothes maybe a little different, but all in all…he just wasn’t there to others, The only valentine on his desk, with his hand over it, was the one from the Teacher. There were embarrassed whispers – no giggles – and then quiet. Miss Cartwright hadn’t noticed.

“All right Children. Everyone back to their seats,” But then up stood Amy, who took a valentine off her pile and walked to William’s desk. Miss Cartwright started to say something, but thought better of it. “Here William,” said Amy. “I got too many and I think some of these got mixed up.” William tried to say something, but nothing came out. He nodded. Amy smiled, looked straight ahead and walked back to her desk. Doris, who really didn’t have that many of her own, took the biggest one off her pile and without saying a word….walked back and put it on William’s desk. Every girl in the class, did the same. William really didn’t know what to do, but in quiet grace, accepted these tokens. Miss Cartwright knew that something special was happening and remained quiet. Blessedly, the bell rang and Valentine’s Day was over.

And what of William? Well, he did just fine! The next day at school, the kids in the class all said, “Hi William.” There was no mention of the previous day, but he was noticed from then on.

Personal note: I would gladly give up any recognition I might receive on this day, for one child to be recogized and accepted for who they are.

Happy Valentine’s Day!