Valentine's Day Rant

Valentine's Day is tomorrow and I haven't gotten my husband anything, not even a card. When I tell him I am going shopping for him later today he says, "Valentine's are for men too, aren't they?" He seems surprised. We've been married for 20 years, and for 20 years I have given him a Valentine card and gift every year without fail. Yet he acts like he's surprised by the idea.

Have you noticed how time flies when you have dementia?

What I know is that he hasn't gotten me anything either. I mean, we are almost always together. When do we have time, or is it space for such things? It was easier when we were still working. In some ways, life itself was easier when we were still working. Harder on the body, but easier on the mind.

There was certainly less time to think, although even then I thought way too much for my own good. It was convenient that I was paid to think about things. I was so good at it. Maybe one of my problems with retirement is not knowing what to expend all these mental resources on. I suppose it would be a good idea to spend just a little time thinking about what to get the man for Valentine's Day.

It's like this every time. I never know what to get him. Usually I break down and just ask him what he wants. Then it's no surprise and what the hell, he may as well come shopping with me, right? At least that way we can both be sure he gets it.

So here we are again at Valentine's Day. The stores are full of big red paper hearts, boxes of chocolate and cut flowers. And of course the jewelry store is buzzing with tokens of undying love, little hearts being the main attraction. Little hearts with diamonds, little hearts with rubies, little hearts with emeralds. Hey, whatever stone you want, they have a little heart for you.

On another note, the porno store has a huge banner across the front, right over the door: Shop Here: We Are Your Valentine Headquarters.

Candy, jewelry and flowers for the women. Sex for the men.

I mean, I'll give you two guesses what would happen if a man showed up for Valentine's Day in a pair of sexy underwear. "Hi Honey, look what I got for you?"

But if a woman does that, it's a sure thing to be a hit. Well, you can bet he doesn't want candy!