Not all Valentine come in envelope..

back in 2010... 
as a teenager, i worked as a service crew at kentucky fried chicken restaurant(kfc), in philcoa,quezon city philippines. 

although philippines nights are supposed to be warm,on this particular february night the brisk wind shrieked through the front door. 

around nine o'clock things slowed down and thats when i started feeling sorry for my self. 

you see, all my friends had gone to the movies, but i had to work until closing. 

i didn't pay much attention to the man who entered the restaurant. 

a flurry of leaves followed him in. the sound of wailing wind fell silent as the door shut itself. 

i busied myself arranging tissue. 
suddenly my co-worker grabbed by arm. 

"this is really creepy", she whispered, 
"but theres a man in white moustache over there who said he wouldn't eat here unless youre the one get his order" 

i swallowed hard "is he a wierdo?" 

"see for your self",she said. 

we carefully peered through the decorative foliage at the mysterious man in the corner. slowly he lowered his hands revealing thin, white hair, brown eyes,and a wide grin beneath his white moustache. he lifted his hand and waved. 

"that's no wierdo! " i said. 
"that's my dad!" 

"you mean he came to see you at work?" my co-worker balked. 
"that's pretty strange, if you asked me". 

i didn't think it was strange. i thought it was kind of neat. but i didn't let dad know that. poor dad! i acted so nonchalant, rattling off the soup of the day and scribbling down his order before anyone could see him squeeze my elbow and say, "thanks,my princess". 

but i want you to know something---i never forgot that night. 

his being there said a thousand things to me. as he silently watched me clear tables, i could hear his unspoken words bouncing off the walls: 

"i'm here. i support you. i'm proud of you. you're doing a great job. keep up the good work. you're my girl. 
i love you." 

that's the best valentine i received that year... :D

Things I've Learned lately

things i've learned lately... 
-looking people in the eyes is showing them respect, 
-my grandma is my friend, 
-memories are treasure you should never let go, 
-and i never want to get too big for a hug from my dad. 

thing's i've learned lately... 
-books are like friends who share a little of themselves with you, 
-change is inevitable, 
-chocolate-chip cookies taste better as dough, 
-and you should never wait to tell someone why you love them. 

things i've learned lately... 
-summer is my favorite season, 
-friends dont always have to get along, 
there's so much more inside people we don't see, 
-and everyone looks for love. 

things ive learned lately... 
-smiles can make your day, 
-all little boys miss their mommies at bedtime, 
-the stars shine brighter when there is no moon, 
-and everyone has something that makes their heart glad. 

things i've learned lately... 
-midnight laughing cleanses you, 
-little girls need to feel pretty, 
-having fun with someone opens the door to friendship, 
-and christmas is love. 

things ive learned lately... 
-its always better to give people the benefit of the doubt,most of us don't, 
-dog's eyes show their trust and love, 
-people are precious, 
-and the "greatest of these" really is love. 

things i've learned lately... 
-college might not be what i imagine, 
-sometimes you have to let people go, 
-there is a time for everything, 
-and being challenged to grow is a good thing. 

things i've learned lately... 
-some people are afraid to cry, 
-heaven's got to be something special, 
-coincidences are really "good things" 
-and love always trust, always hope. 

things i've learned lately... 
-when i pray, coincidences happen. 
when i stop praying, coincidences stop..

-Alecka E.