One of the best lessons I ever learned from my mother-in-law was to tell “little white lies.” You’re probably asking yourself, “Why in the world would a mother encourage lying, especially to her own son?” I asked myself that same question, only for a nanosecond mind you, when I figured out that it was working in my very best interest. Now I did not make a habit of “lying” but these little fibs, these little truth “stretchers” (as I prefer to think of them) were sometimes for the benefit of myself, my kids, or even Gregger himself. The best of those “little white lies:”

1. “Something new” This old thing..it’s been hanging in my closet for at least a year.

2. “Nope…didn’t buy a thing…we just window shopped.” Please don’t look in the trunk of my car!

3. “They were on sale for soooo cheap!” These shoes were so expensive, he’ll never, ever find out what they REALLY cost!

4. “I have no idea how that dent got there!” Oops…

5. “If you say that striped shirt goes with that plaid jacket, I say why not?” I did that more times than not because I figured that was his talent..what did I know anyway!

6. “The kids really NEEDED it for school, sports, or dance.” Translated…they begged, I gave in, and, no, they just WANTED it and knew I was the sucker!

The little white lie I’ll hold onto forever…Greg’s fedora. I remember the night he walked in with that straw hat atop his bald head, and I was truly speechless. He was beaming with pride and I just couldn’t swipe that smile away with a smug remark…I just hugged him and said, ” You are simple adorable!” Well, that was his Hawaii hat…the hat he wore with pride every night on our fated trip…the hat he was wearing our last night together…I loved that hat then, and I love that hat even more now.

My best “little white lie” left me with a fedora full of memories to treasure forever.

“You’d Think That People Would Have Had Enough Of Silly Love Songs.
But I Look Around Me And I See It Isn’t So.
Some People Wanna Fill The World With Silly Love Songs.
And What’s Wrong With That?

So I remember all the way back to junior high when I would belt out love songs in the privacy of my room. My sister would tell my to “shut up” as I sang “See You in September” over and over again, while pining for one boy or crying over another who had recently broken my heart. Love songs come in all shapes and sizes…there’s slow and sensual for falling in love; a little more upbeat when you’re in love; and then totally melancholy mellow when heartbreak hits. Whatever your love song, it’s intensely personal and speaks to “your heart.” We had so many…Carole King’s whole Tapestry album (the first I ever bought the Gregger); the cheesy Carpenters “We’ve Only Just Begun” (our first dance…ouch, a bit embarrassing!), and, fast forward 38 years to John Legend’s “All of Me” –  that gets me in my gut everytime. I would sing it out at the top of my lungs…he would laugh, but it would be ours “cause all of me loves all of you.”

Nowadays when those songs speak to my heart they spark so many memories..the tears stream down my face as I sing the words driving in my car, sitting at Starbucks, walking alone on a beautiful day, or winding down a workout. The words evoke a multitude of flowing memories…holding hands in the car, singing together, dancing in our kitchen,  or just a silent private moment. Whatever it may be, it is bittersweet…I love those silly songs…I love the words, the melodies, and the memories. Call me a sap but Bublé, Barbra, Barry or Beyoncé can bring out the best of mush in me any day and tears or not, I’ll keep on singing.  And as I listen I can also dream…Hey Gregger…they’re playing our song!

What’s your silly little love song?

Valentine’s Day is approaching..a day of romance, love, flowers, candy and so much more. It’s a day to remind us to “love” the one we are with, but Greg and I used to call it the “Hallmark holiday.” I was never a big Valentine girl…I don’t know if that went back to something in my childhood or what, but the holiday just never meant much to me. Don’t get me wrong…I LOVED ROMANCE and I LOVED BEING ROMANCED by Greg, but I certainly didn’t need a specific day on the calendar to tell me to say “Hey, it’s the day for the LOVE!” We used to laugh about it and say we should have Valentine’s Day every day…why should there be a holiday just to remind us to love each other? But…this year is different…WOW! I would give anything to have those beautiful roses he sent me every year show up on my doorstep…I would cherish the moment when I woke up in the morning all sleepy eyed and he said, “Happy Valentine’s beautiful.” I would love to have one more Valentine’s dinner together…he’d probably have nachos and a beer (or Jamesons) and I’d have some boring veggies. Who cared? The whole point was that we were together…we’d watch one of our TV shows, cuddle into bed by 9:30 and call it a night.. but we were still each other Valentines and that was good enough for the two of us. So whatever you choose to do this Valentine’s Day….cherish the moment and love the one you’re with.