The Dream
Every day I pick up some little kid second graders from their classroom at 12:05 and escort them to the cafeteria. I'm trying to get to know all these little kids because I might teach them next year. One kid at the front of the line launched into a chat today by saying, "You know I'd really rather be home in bed having some dreams."I said, "Well the in bed part sounds good, but most times I just think dreams are weird."
She answered, "Yes, I keep having a dream about macaroni eating me. You know how you're supposed to eat your macaroni? Well in my dream, my macaroni is eating ME!" I told her that dream sounded somewhat terrifying, but also had a humorous element. She agreed and headed over to the hand sanitizer.
I like this little kid second grader. I hope she's in my room next year.
Comments
One legend contends that Valentine was a priest who served during the third century in Rome. When Emperor Claudius II decided that single men made better soldiers than those with wives and families, he outlawed marriage for young men -- his crop of potential soldiers. Valentine, realizing the injustice of the decree, defied Claudius and continued to perform marriages for young lovers in secret. When Valentine's actions were discovered, Claudius ordered that he be put to death.
Other stories suggest that Valentine may have been killed for attempting to help Christians escape harsh Roman prisons where they were often beaten and tortured.
According to one legend, Valentine actually sent the first 'valentine' greeting himself. While in prison, it is believed that Valentine fell in love with a young girl -- who may have been his jailor's daughter -- who visited him during his confinement. Before his death, it is alleged that he wrote her a letter, which he signed 'From your Valentine,' an expression that is still in use today. Although the truth behind the Valentine legends is murky, the stories certainly emphasize his appeal as a sympathetic, heroic, and, most importantly, romantic figure. It's no surprise that by the Middle Ages, Valentine was one of the most popular saints in England and France.