The Month Of Love
by Debbie Tam, Beta Phi (Indiana U), International Vice President
It seems we barely get our holiday decorations put away and certainly before we’ve had time to tackle that New Year’s resolution to rid ourselves of those few extra holiday pounds when our world is inundated with hearts, roses and chocolate. Yes, here comes February and love is in the air. Certainly, we strive to show those we love how much they mean to us the other eleven months of the year but February, more specifically Valentine’s Day, is when we dare not forget! The object of our Fraternity states that we will encourage a spirit of Fraternity and love among our members. This month is the perfect time to take this to heart.
Having just finished January, the month of cleaning and fresh starts, I am reminded of a stack of notes I recently came across. One of things at which my collegiate chapter really excelled was making each other feel appreciated. If a sister was having a bad week, was feeling the pressure of a big test coming up, went out of her way for someone else, it didn’t go unnoticed. She very well might find a note, many times anonymous, in her mailbox or on her desk. Sometimes they were written on a nice notecard (with roses on it, of course!) but they might also be on a little slip of plain notebook paper. It wasn’t the presentation, it was the thought that was enclosed. Those little bits of caring were so precious to me that I still have them today. They still make me feel better. They still make me feel loved. Obviously, they are still with me and survived the January purge.
Gertrude Stein said, “Silent gratitude isn’t very much to anyone.” In the first few weeks of February, I’ve promised myself to revisit the art of note writing and send a few little notes to sisters. Sisters who, in their day-to-day lives, exhibit that spirit of Fraternity and love that many times goes unnoticed. I hope that if you find yourself the beneficiary of or witness to such a caring sister, you might also take the time to send a little note or two yourself. I guarantee it will be just as well received as roses or chocolate. Oh, chocolate… That New Year’s resolution may have to wait until March!