The Rev. Marianne Allison, Chaplain and Spiritual Care Coordinator, talks about what Valentine’s Day looks like at William Temple House.
At William Temple House, many of the people we serve are socially isolated. For some, Valentine’s Day, with its cupids and hearts and flowers, may trigger awareness of being alone.
This Valentine’s Day, our community will make cards that show we care for one another. Staff will be making cards for our Social Services clients, and clients are invited to make valentines to give to those dear to them or to post on our reflection tree in the lobby.
We keep the valentines light—inspired by the kind of sweet humor we found in our childhood cards, with silly puns and drawings. Whereas many Hallmark cards evoke eros, a breathless and romantic love, I see our valentines as reflecting to our clients agape, a persistent, patient, enduring kind of love. The kind of love that transcends even “like!”
One of my favorite ways of defining love is “holding space for another’s greatness.” It’s this kind of love that is the basis of all we do at William Temple House, and what we hope our simple valentines communicate to those who come through our doors.