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Valentine’s Day, also known as Saint Valentine’s Day or the Feast of Saint Valentine, is a holiday observed on February 14th. It is celebrated as a day of love and affection between intimate companions. The holiday originates in the Roman holiday of Lupercalia, which was held in mid-February and celebrated the coming of spring. Over time, it became associated with the martyrdom of Saint Valentine, a Christian priest who lived in the 3rd century. The Day was later declared a Christian feast day by the Catholic Church.
My father, Papa Joey, messaged me early in the morning, saying that this was his first valentine without our beloved Mama Olive, who passed away in June last year. We are still grieving and trying to cope with everything. Things are harder for my father, who’s always at the memorial visiting mama. I guess he finds comfort and peace of mind there.
We cannot truly understand what’s going through the person’s mind who recently lost a loved one. The healing process differs from person to person. I am writing this piece to share our experience and might help someone going through this ordeal.
Honoring Our Dearly Departed: Celebrating Valentine’s Day with Love and Memories
Valentine’s Day is a popular holiday worldwide and is widely celebrated by giving gifts, such as flowers, chocolates, and cards, to loved ones and spending time with them. It is a day to express love and appreciation for partners, friends, and family members.
Celebrating Valentine’s Day with a loved one who has passed away can be a bittersweet experience, but it can also be a way to honor their memory and keep their love alive. Here are some ways to celebrate Valentine’s Day with a dearly departed:
Visit their resting place
You can visit their grave or memorial site and leave flowers, balloons, or a special memento. You can also say a prayer or spend some quiet time in reflection. Giving flowers to a loved one who passed away on Valentine’s Day can be a touching and meaningful way to remember and honor them.
You can do this by visiting their resting place and placing fresh flowers or arranging for flowers to be delivered to the cemetery or memorial site. Some people choose to have a unique bouquet or arrangement made that reflects the personality or favorite flowers of their loved ones.
Light a candle
Lighting a candle in memory of a loved one is a simple but powerful way to honor their memory and keep their love alive. You can light a candle in your home or at their resting place to symbolize the love and light they brought into your life.
Remember that the most important thing is to find a way to honor your loved one’s memory that feels meaningful to you. Whether it’s through lighting a candle, saying a prayer, or simply taking time to reflect on your memories, the goal is to keep their love and legacy alive in your heart.
Read 30 Useful Death Announcement and Funeral Thank You Card Templates
Share Memories
Gather with friends and family to share memories of your loved one. You can also create a scrapbook or photo album to preserve these memories. Sharing memories of a departed loved one through social media is a beautiful way to keep their memories alive and share their lives with others.
Remember to be respectful of your loved one and their memory when sharing on social media. It’s also important to be mindful of the privacy of others who may be impacted by your post. With these considerations in mind, sharing memories of a departed loved one through social media can be a beautiful way to honor their life and legacy.
Make a donation
If your loved one had a passion or cause they cared deeply about, consider donating in their name.
When my Mama Olive passed away, as a family, we decided to donate most of her hospital supplies to several institutions caring for the elderly in Malolos. We have donated a portable suction machine with accessories and other remaining hospital supplies to Quirino Memorial Medical Center through my sister-in-law, Dr. Jenna Marie Quiroga.
We wanted to share the blessing with others in Mama Olive’s name.
Write a letter
Write a letter to your loved one, telling them everything you wish you could say. You can keep or release the note symbolically by burning it or removing it with a balloon.
Remember that it’s okay to feel sad on Valentine’s Day, but it can also be a time to celebrate the love you shared and find comfort in your memories. The most important thing is to find a way to celebrate your loved one on Valentine’s Day that feels right for you. Whether through flowers, a special memorial, or simply by taking time to reflect on your memories, the goal is to keep their love and legacy alive in your heart.
10 Short Prayers on Valentine’s Day: Remembering Our Loved Ones Who Have Passed
- Dear God, please bless my [loved one’s name] and keep them close to your heart. I miss them so much, and I ask that you comfort me this Valentine’s Day.
- Heavenly Father, I lift the memory of my [loved one’s name] to you on this Day of love. Please wrap me in your loving arms and help me feel their presence.
- Dear Lord, I am grateful for the time I shared with my [loved one’s name]. Please continue to bless their soul and watch over them.
- Merciful God, I trust in your love and grace, especially on this Valentine’s Day. Please hold my [loved one’s name] close and bring peace and comfort to their eternal rest.
- Heavenly Father, I pray for your comfort and peace to surround my [loved one’s name]. May their memory live on in my heart and bring me joy in the coming days.
- Lord, I ask for your strength and guidance on this Valentine’s Day as I remember my [loved one’s name]. Please help me to feel their love and support, even though they are no longer physically with me.
- Dear God, I am thankful for the love and joy that my [loved one’s name] brought into my life. Please bless their soul and keep them in your loving care.
- Merciful Father, I pray for peace and comfort for my [loved one’s name] this Valentine’s Day. Please grant them your everlasting love and grace.
- Lord, I ask for your comfort and strength as I remember my [loved one’s name]. Please help me to feel their presence and to celebrate the love that we shared.
- Dear God, I pray for my [loved one’s name] this Valentine’s Day. Please bless their memory and keep them close to your heart. Amen.
These prayers can provide comfort and peace as you remember your loved one on Valentine’s Day. You can personalize these prayers to reflect your feelings and relationship with your loved one.