The card has hung where I can see it for at least ten years. The bends and wrinkles on the front are evidence of the many times I’ve opened and re-read the words that encourage me to keep on dreaming, reaching…
The words were written for that Hallmark Card by Renee Duvall. They were sent by my sister when I was in the midst of making a major career change.
Now two colleagues are facing serious health problems. Friends have told me that they need words of encouragement.
Encouragement. What does that word mean? 
To give courage.
It came originally from the Vulgar Latin (common speech) cor, which means heart.
With all the dis-courage-ing news, commentaries and tweets out there today, it seems more important than ever to show some heart when we communicate with each other.
With Valentine’s Day right around the corner, there may be no better time to do that.
In a box of my mother’s keepsakes, I found a Valentine I’d made for her back in the day when I was a Brownie Scout, doing crafts in after-school
meetings. She’d kept the simple message, just as I keep the card from my sister whose birthday—truthfully—is on Valentine’s Day.
Show some heart. Send messages of encouragement. 
Lovely message to counteract the uncertainty in our world, nation and, sometimes, families.
Dear Pat: Happy Valentine Day to you. In my thoughts are a bouquet of roses on the way to you. Thanks for your love and I send in those flowers my love for you with a promise of continuing prayers daily. Jack