February 6.  Jack wondered aloud, “Is it a good thing or a bad thing that the whole Valentine thing has become so commercialized I wonder?  Of course it is a colossal waste of money but still all relationships need some cherishing whether it is going to a lonely place to rest or to celebrate together.”   Nola added, “Regular date nights doing whatever they choose are even better to keep romance going, and that applies particularly to married couples who might be more at risk of getting stale.  

“Jesus said to them, “come away by yourselves to a lonely place and rest a while.” Mark 6:30-34.

Pope Francis:  Develop the habit of giving real importance to the other person.  This means appreciating them and recognizing their right to exist, to think as they  do and to be happy.  Never downplay what they say or think, even if you need to express your own point of view.   AL138