On matters of the heart, I have much to thank the ladies who I have known; especially on this special day - St. Valentines, a day of love.

" You're never too old for love."  my 98 year old, spinster, aunt told me as we spoke of her 90 year old boyfriend.

" You have to love yourself first." my mother told me when I was entering my teen years.

" Do you still love your first wife? "  my date asked me; to which I replied " I still love something about every woman who I dated." - or why would I have dated them at all ?

The truths imparted in these exchanges are central to my perspective on love and relationships, especially as I approach my 65th birthday.  Love is all around.  Some might be for us if we first love ourselves and spread love in daily life.

St. Valentines Day, today, is a good time to take stock of our love and spread its goodness every moment.