“No one is useless in this world who lightens the burdens of another,” said Charles Dickens.  Don Hamby reminds us “The seed of good deeds become a tree of life.”  Emily Dickinson said, “Unable are the Loved to die, for Love is Immortality,” and she said, “Hope is the thing with feathers that perches in the soul.”   The precious love and support of family and a beautiful community of friends in sad, hard times is a blessing that an Old Champion hopes for everyone who is experiencing grief.  The world changes.

We have much to celebrate and many reasons to be grateful.  Skyline kindergarten student, Everett Nelson, had his birthday on the 15th.  We remember dear Trish Davis on the 17th and that is the day we celebrate Linda Clark, sweet daughter of Grannie Grunt. Skyline 3rd grader, Perry Banks and 5th grader, Rayleigh Harvey, party on the 18th, also the big day for Champion Pete Proctor and Fox Creek farmer, Madelyn Boehs.  We remember sweet Ruby Proctor on the 19th.  She once said that when she was a kid there would be snow on the ground in Champion from Thanksgiving to Easter.  Mike Powers and Skyline 5th grader, Jaylee Sudderth, will enjoy the 20th of February for their birthday and we sing to Joanna Bell on the 21st.   Native Champion Stacy Krider Cline will be celebrated over in Tennessee on the 23rd.  On the 24th Arne Ahlstedt will likely spend his birthday teaching young folks some gardening tips.  Second grader, Zachary Harvey will party on the 28th. Frankie Proctor, Ruby’s son and Pete’s brother, has Leap Day February 29 for his birthday.  Happy birthday to all of you. Leap about and celebrate.

Folks in Scotland are celebrating having vanquished England in the Six Nations Rugby Championship games in Edinburgh.  Scots might be ready to beat them again with another Independence referendum.  The last time they declined over fear of not being permitted to be in the European Union.  Then they were betrayed by Brexit. We’ve heard the Scottish proverb “Be sure to taste your words afore you spit them.”  That is probably good advice, though holding our tongues can sometimes be a struggle.

As we observe the birthday of George Washingon, Founding Father and first president this week, we remember our own struggle as one of sixty-two countries that can now celebrate independence from Great Britain.  Ken Burns’ documentary on the American Revolution is well worth the look.

Champions were much delighted with a rainy Valentines Day.  We learn from Edgar Allen Poets that long before chocolates and roses, Valentine’s Day had a far darker beginning. The holiday traces back to Saint Valentine, a Roman priest who lived in the 3rd century under Emperor Claudius II. According to legend, Claudius believed single men made better soldiers and banned young men from marrying. Valentine defied the order and secretly performed weddings for couples in love. When his actions were discovered, he was arrested and eventually executed on February 14, around 269 AD.  Another story claims that while imprisoned, Valentine befriended–and possibly healed–the jailer’s blind daughter. Before his death, he allegedly signed a letter to her “from your Valentine,” a phrase that may have inspired the modern tradition of love notes.  Over time, the Church honored him as a martyr.  Later, medieval poets connected the date with romance and courtly love. Eventually, the legend transformed into the celebration we know today. So, behind every red rose lies a story of rebellion, sacrifice, and a love that refused to bow to power.”  In 1959, which some of us remember, Connie Francis sang, “Stupid Cupid, stop picking on me!” Champion—Looking on the Bright Side!

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