Voicesby Vic Jameson As most everyone who has looked at a calendar lately knows, February is upon us; and as anyone who has ever had a heartthrob knows, February is the month of the Valentine. And valentines, which used to be colorful cards expressing love or devotion or other sorts of affection and cost as little as ten cents, are in many cases replaced by candy in gaudy multi-colored boxes filled with chocolates of various sizes, shapes, and calories. Mind you, this shift of attention from cards to boxes (admitting that the candy is not always a replacement for but rather an addition to the old faithful Valentine card) is partly because the box of candy doesn't cost much more nowadays than a card. And the giver, if he or she is sufficiently diplomatic, may have a shot at being given a bite or two of said candy by the givee. Having now set the stage (and maybe even the mood) for a discussion of the encouragement, flowering, and care and feeding of romance, permit me to draw your attention to one story of romance found in the Bible. Well, at least a story that may have some vague and tenuous connections with stories found in the Bible. Begin with those two and only famous pioneers in the fields of romance (and pioneers in several other fields that you may or may not wish to name), Adam and Eve. They are, as usually is the situation when we encounter them, walking near the garden from which they recently have been evicted. So let your imagination go where it will while you settle back in the warm afternoon shade of a cedar or sycamore or cypress tree, of which many grow in the garden that was once their home, and enjoy the story, which is offered with apologies to the Author and the lesser, later authors for whatever disrespect or making-lightwith- the-Good Book is found herein. Comfortable? Good. Here comes the story. Adam: You know, Eve, I wish God would teach us about time. Eve: What's time? Adam: I dont know. That's why I wish God would teach us it. Eve: Why? (As is frequently the case in these little conversations. Adam discovers he is getting nowhere. But his attempt at logic prevails). Adam: Well, in my work as chief dominioner of this place, I have observed that all God's creations except us have seasons to regulate their lives. The monkeys turn up with little monkeys every year, the pear trees bloom and produce pears and Eve: What is a year and what's it got to do with this stuff you call time? Adam: Hush, I'm on a roll here. Maybe we'll both find out.. Eve: Hush this, hush that. I wish God had given you a more interesting vocabulary. Adam: But it would at least help me to know. I try to bring you little presents now and then because I love you even though you did cost me a rib, and I'd like to show it by giving you things. Eve: Oh, Addy, that's so sweet. And just for that I'll help you figure out what is time. Adam: I think you got the words mixed up. I think were supposed to say, What time is it? That's the problem, I dont know what time it is because I dont know what is time, and so I dont even know when it is time for me to give you a valentine. (Wow! Eve has no idea what a valentine is, but she certainly doesn't want to change the subject, the way this conversation is going, so she just asks for an explanation). Eve: Let me see if I have this right. You wish you knew what is time so that you could tell me what time it is. Is that right? Adam: Sort of. But I still don't know when to bring you little presents that I find as I go around doing my dominion duties. Eve: Just stand right there and I'll help you with that one. (She reaches up, puts her arms around his neck, and plants a huge kiss on his lips). There. Every time that happens you're supposed to know when to bring these things? Adam: But if I don't even know what time of year it is because I don't know what is time, how am I supposed to know when to bring you these things? Eve: I just showed you. Adam: Oh! You mean Zowie! I guess I think I'm catching on. And I just saw something yesterday you might like, down in the valley on the yumyum tree and maybe it would be a nice little present and Eve: Well, it's about time. << Previous | Contents | Next >>
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