Deep in the hearts of Galveston

By Forest Riggs

After a little cold snap, February rolls around and brings with it everything from red hearts, candy and roses, to parades, beads and floats. Though the month is shorter than most, it is nevertheless filled with events and activities that make Galveston Island a fantastic place to live and great destination to consider when planning a getaway. www.VisitGalveston.com

Traditionally, Valentine’s Day, which falls on the 14th, originates from the lives of men named Valentine. For the last several hundred years, the day has been celebrated in one form or another. History makes note of at least three different St. Valentines that lived and became associated with the famous day. A quick look-up on Google yields quite a bit of history and lore regarding the origins of day, and how it evolved into the $27,000,000,000+ commercial industry that it is today.

It was not always red hearts, candy, flowers and cards. The man considered by most scholars and historians to be the original Valentine lived in the 4th century and was martyred for his good deeds. Over the next few hundred years, other Christian men with the name Valentine were melded into the lore and history of Valentine’s Day. The Church recognizes the collective origins on February 14th, though up until 1969 there was great confusion about his sainthood and how he should be revered in the Church. After all was said and done, the martyred good man became the patron saint for lovers, people with epilepsy and beekeeping. This is a unique combination based upon legend and history that links these men to the designation of St. Valentine, a patron saint in the Catholic Church.

By all accounts and historical records, St. Valentine did good works and promoted joy and happiness, especially in the area of human attraction, from one to another. It was not until much later that the first known “valentine” was created and given to the one who was captured by the desire and longing for another.

Cupid, with his little wings and flying arrows, came about as a romanticized way to demonstrate how the feelings and longings are transmitted, from one to another. The idea of a little cherub shooting arrows and the sting of them causing feelings of love and infatuation came about as the lore of St. Valentine grew and evolved over the years.

In today’s time and during the past few hundred years, the holiday has become an annual event, celebrated by the giving of gifts, cards, candy and flowers. It is estimated that 250 million roses are used each year to celebrate the day. Regardless of the history and applications, St. Valentine’s Day has become the 5th most celebrated holiday.

Valentine’s Day is a wonderful time to visit Galveston Island for a very special celebration of the day. The island offers many possibilities and ways to show love, appreciation and romance toward someone special. Restaurants and hotels, as well as lively night spots, offer a variety of welcoming ways to share the love. Note that this year, Valentine’s Day falls smack dab in the middle of Mardi Gras, so reservations, accommodations and participation in some events, could be difficult if not arranged beforehand. www.VisitGalveston.com

Once again it is Mardi Gras time in Galveston. Now billed as the 3rd largest Mardi Gras in the United States, the island offers two weeks of absolute frivolity and mayhem. This year, the celebration runs from February 6 through 17. Fat Tuesday, the last time to party and “get it out of your system,” falls the day before Ash Wednesday, which marks the beginning of Lent. Lent is the season that leads up to Easter Sunday and is a time to reflect on one’s life and make changes for the better. As many Galvestonians often exclaim, “Good luck with that!”

So, February, though a short month, seems to offer something for everyone, especially on Galveston Island. If you have never been to a Galveston Mardi Gras, check it out!

As for Valentine’s Day, watch out for those flying arrows. Sometimes they come from the least expected place.

And if you observe Lent, take a good look at yourself and make positive changes where change is needed.

Forest Riggs lives in Galveston. His book, ‘Galveston Memories and Related Stories’ is available at Amazon.com, OutSkirtsPress.com and ForestRiggs.com.

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