It’s “Sweetest Day”

Barf. I love made up holidays and center a large part of my every day living writing about these random celebrations, but I just cannot get on board with Sweetest Day. Is it because I’m not sugary? No. Is it because I don’t have a suitor who likes to give me lovey dovey gifts? No. It’s a dumb holiday solely made up for the people who cannot stand to go an entire year without a “love” holiday. I very well might be the only female on the face of the planet who thinks this, but I think that even Valentine’s Day is overdoing it.

I’m not against love. I’m just not a fan of perishable gifts. So flowers, candy, any of those things are just annoying to me. Don’t get me wrong. I love presents. I love little surprises. But if you’re going to bring me flowers, pick them yourself (as long as it’s not from someone else’s garden or from a protected stretch of National forest). And if you’re bringing me some candy, a box of Raisinettes or bag of gummy bears will suffice. I don’t want it to be in a big heart shaped box. The caramels are the only good pieces in those big heart boxes anyway, and the kids always seek those out first. All that’s left behind are many pieces with holes gouged in the bottom, leaking orange goo. Besides, love isn’t something that should be reduced to Valentine’s Day and Sweetest Day. Love takes place every day. It shouldn’t take a “holiday” to reinforce your feelings.

Sadly enough, it seems that we’ve reduced love to just that. So many people are so emotionally stunted that they cannot feel. I have to admit, I fall into that from time to time given our circumstances (it’s hard watching our “cancer friends” struggle along with us and sometimes lose their battle – I tend to try and separate from that emotionally) but LOVE -really and truly – should be celebrated daily. Right? Just do it. Not just today, but every day.

Ben and I are sitting here in the Ronald McDonald House playing video games. Today is the “Extra Life Gaming Marathon” and Ben has raised over $1,000 for the Denver Children’s Miracle Network. I have to admit, I was thrilled when I had to raise our original goal from $500 to $1,000. Ben received so many donations that he easily reached his new goal. I’m giving a shout out to all who donated here because your generosity has been overwhelming! THANK YOU! And for the one special donor who so generously donated (you know who you are)… Thank You. I have no way to contact you so I have to give you a special thank you here. That was VERY cool of you, extremely surprising, and very heartwarming. Thanks from the bottom of my dried up, no-sweetest-day-celebrating heart. 😉

Ben struggled so much this week. It was almost like he couldn’t catch up on his rest. Being second bed seemed to really mess up the entire day and he was restless for much of the week. Well, when he wasn’t in excruciating pain, he was restless. So, this 24 hours of gaming is well deserved. We’ve got our doughnut holes, some orange juice, a variety of chargers plugged into the wall, and many games to play. We’re in the zone!

I gotta get back to Bejeweled Blitz. I am DETERMINED to get over 400,000 today even if I have to play for the entire 24 hours. Check back often… I’ll post as soon as I reach it!

BTW, you can still donate to Ben’s page if you’d like: https://www.hospitalshelpingkids.org/ExtraLife/m.aspx?i=198893F5AB7DA77C4

Game on!