Love in a Shoe Box

Guest blog by Jenn Merket

Whenever I think of Valentine’s Day, my first mental image isn’t of a romantic candle-lit dinner for two, or of clinking champagne glasses or a bouquet of roses.

Instead, I am transported back to the early 1990’s, where I sit in a circle of school desks, bedecked in a red and white polka-dot dress, lace tights, and Mary Janes. My hands are neatly folded on my desk, but my legs bounce frenetically as I watch my teacher and some volunteers prepare for our annual Valentine’s Day festivities. This will naturally include games, candy and snacks, but the main event will be the exchanging of Valentine’s Day cards. My elementary school wisely had taken an egalitarian approach to the latter, insisting that every student give a Valentine to every other student, much to the relief of little girls who weren’t, say, Holly Barton or one of the Dunlop twins. However, even an outright rejection from my crush, “Dan-the-Man,” wouldn’t have defeated my six-year-old heart on that day, because on my desk I had my box.

The box, which sat on my desk where my reader would usually be, would later be used to collect Valentines from my classmates. It had started as a simple payless shoebox, but in the evenings prior my mom had worked to transform it into something beautiful. The box was lined and covered in a red fabric patterned in tiny white hearts. The lid was also covered, and a thin slit had been cut in the top where my classmates could insert Valentines. The base of the box was trimmed with white lace ric-rac, and at the top of the lid, centered by the slit, was a tiny red bow. As I sat at my desk, waiting for the games to begin and the cookies to be served, I remember that I felt immensely proud of the beautiful box my mom had made for me, and special to be the possessor of such a quality treasure.

I kept that box for years, using it to store special notes and classmate’s photos, until it finally fell apart when I was in high school. Whenever I saw the box, I was reminded of the little things my mother did to make me feel special. I believe that it is important for children to occasionally have moments like this, where they know that they are cared for, loved, and important. These feelings help children to establish a solid sense of self, and the confidence they need to succeed as adults.

The nonprofit I work with, World of Children, is proud to host a network of heroes who give love and care to children who often don’t get it elsewhere. Our Award Winners are special because they don’t just increase children’s life spans, but they also dramatically improve the quality and trajectory of children’s lives, giving them the intricate, special care that they all so desperately want and need.

This Valentine’s Day, to help a child feel special, I am giving a few friends a Valentine’s Day e-card, available from the World of Children. All funds raised from these e-cards will be designated for Adi Roche, who provides cardiac surgeries to sick children born with congenital defects. Each $15 card will fund approximately 2% of a surgery.  This Valentine’s Day, help us make sure that every child knows that they are loved, cared for and remembered. If you would like to browse e-cards you can send this Valentine’s Day, please click here.

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Tags: Adi Roche, Congenital Heart Defects, World of Children