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     A Valentine's Day 
Treasury

 HEDWIG LEWIS SJ

Across the gateway of my heart
I wrote: "No Thoroughfare."
But Love came laughing by and cried,
"I enter everywhere!"
 

Hi guys and gals! Hi sweethearts! Hi lovers and beloveds! Here’s a Valentine’s Day "treasure" for all of you. To begin with, over a score of exciting love-stories (adapted and re-told from diverse sources) will make your hearts go thump-thump-thump. Each of them captures the essential spirit of and provides the proper mood for the romantic Love-Fest!

My love’s pure, my love’s divine
My love’s the radiant diamond
of the deepest mine.
That’s what I present to you,
my dear valentine!

Next comes that interesting part for those with curious minds. The middle section of A Valentine’s day Treasury supplies the answers to most of the questions people ask about the little-known facts and often vaguely interpreted origins, symbols, customs, and what-not of the festival. Extensively informative material. This "Potpourri" also presents the modern scenario of Lovers’ Day!

Love was just a word
Till you came and gave it meaning

The final part of this book is one you will cherish for long: it focuses on "Inspirations". There are catchy quotes and terse verses that provide refreshment for your heart and mind. There are ‘capsules’ that nourish your attitudes and help put Love in its proper perspective. There are deep insights that direct you to evaluate your existing relationships and, hopefully, enrich both you and your loved ones in numberless ways.            

Don’t fall in love – rise in love!

A Valentine’s Day Treasury  is divided into three main sections. The first contains the "spirit" of the feast. The following is a list of the various stories that make up the chaptere Rosy Rendezvous / Star-crossed Lovers / A Modest Proposal / True Love / Seeing with the Heart / The Token of Love / Labour of Love / Saying it like it is /The Love Seeker / The Illusory Lover / The Vagaries of Love / The Wonderful Lovers/ The Mirror of Love / Love’s Tentacles / Love Gaps / Flowers for the Deserving

The second part is a "potpourri" of assorted items pertaining to the Day. It deals with such topics as : Origins - Symbols - Tokens - Popular Lore - Expressions of Love - Bonanza

The third part appeals to the heart, the emotional side of the festival. It focuses on the main highlights of Valentine’s Day: "Love" and "Roses". There is a collection of a variety of items: poetry, legends, missives, quotes....

All in all, in keeping with its title, the book is truly a "treasury" that entertains, instructs and charms.


Perspectives

Excerpts from Reviews

In this attractively brought out booklet Hedwig tells us about the origin of the festival, its spirit and the mood in which one is called to enjoy the day. And, of course, there’s a goodly collection from various sources of love stories and anecdotes, poems, and brief humorous quotes. Believe it or not: there is information for computer junkies about the ‘sites’ around the world promoting a world-wide Valentine’s Day party.

The Table of contents can be used as a quick reference to what one wishes to find and comes in three sections: I. The Spirit of Valentine’s Day; II. Valentine’s Day Potpourri; III. Valentine’s Day Inspiration. The third section comes with its brand of humour, inviting us to a serious consideration of the theme of love.

A fine attempt to give special brilliance to the grand festival of the young and old on February 14.   The Examiner, February 5, 2000

Love is the strongest force there is. God is love. Love feeds on love. Here is a book that speaks of love. It is full of humour yet full of wisdom. "Don't fall in love -- rise in love!", is the author's advice... The book is a treasure that anyone will be pleased to receive as a present. It is informative, full of humour and inspiring. It has a very attractive cover. It is sleek enough to slip into one's pocket, and so can be carried at the back of one's jeans as a companion in adventure, the adventure of love.   Love is the strongest force there is. God is love. Love feeds on love. Here is a book that speaks of love. It is full of humour yet full of wisdom. "Don't fall in love -- rise in love!", is the author's advice... The book is a treasure that anyone will be pleased to receive as a present. It is informative, full of humour and inspiring. It has a very attractive cover. It is sleek enough to slip into one's pocket, and so can be carried at the back of one's jeans as a companion in adventure, the adventure of love.   In Christo, July 2000

Valentine's day and the interaction between adolescent and young lovers are judged to be part of cultural colonization....  The author again has provided a readable and useful book for young people and gathered much wisdom and thrown light on a festival of lovers which is becoming part of the life of young people in urban India and which can promote the process of growth and maturity.      Vidyajyoti, March 2001

Valentine’s Day! Lovers’ Festival! Cards, Roses, Gifts...! A lovely event that provides a superb occasion, an excellent opportunity for ‘sweethearts’ to renew promises, profess deeper love, celebrate togetherness, and exchange tokens of friendship.

A Valentine’s Day Treasury seeks to capture the "spirit" of Valentine’s Day. A score and more of heart-warming love-stories set the proper mood for the festivities. A "potpourri" of interesting data reveal little-known facts that surround the festival. Humorous anecdotes add gaiety, and inspirational quotes provide pep and depth, to the celebrations. This book is a ‘treasure’ that you – and the loved ones you present it to – will cherish and preserve for years to come!         (Back cover)