Today’s the 28th of February. Are you ready to flip the page on your calendar?
Although the shortest month of the year, February was always big at our house because of my birthday on the 14th, as was May for Will’s. It still is. As usual, I started celebrating early over lunches, dinners, and coffee dates. I loved being with everyone who wanted to help me celebrate.
Valentine’s Day fell on the second Tuesday, the day my writing group was to meet at my house, so 
I decided to make a cake for the meeting.
What fun to use my mother’s heart-shaped pans and copy a Valentine cake from the February issue of Tea Time, a beautiful little publication devoted to the art of creating memorable tea parties. You can see theirs at Tea Time.
In fact if you want a clue as to what my decorations looked like, you’ll have go there because I FORGOT to take a picture of it. (But the group can vouch for my slightly lop-sided strawberry hearts.)
Although my hearts weren’t perfect like Tea Time’s, we had a great party–even if I do say so myself.
Several folks read some serious pieces they had written about the love of God that seemed appropriate for the month dedicated to love. After all, writing about Him is the central purpose for our getting together.
But God put his love on the line for us by offering his Son in sacrificial death while we were of no use whatever to him. Romans 5:8
Afterwards we laughed and talked over cake, candy, and coffee. It was a joyful celebration. I wish you could have been here.
Looking back at the month, I asked myself if I made good use of the time.
Concerning revisions to Thomas’s story, I confess, I didn’t do much on that front. But I spent lots of time with family and friends or thinking about th consider that a high priority.
And I did ponder Thomas’s fate as I crafted Valentine boxes to give as little gifts and bookmark favors for the writing group that were inspired by the February issue of Better Home and Gardens.
There’s no doubt about my enjoying all that crafting.
I also read a blog, Novel Rocket, every day and considered the advice of successful writers. As I cut and pasted pretty papers, I pondered what I might need to cut or add to Tom’s life to fill out the plot. How I could enhance his character so you’d know him better. How to add atmosphere for a greater sense of place.
Today, the craft supplies are back on the shelf, and I’m returning to Thomas–or Tom. (His mother still calls him Tommy.) The’s jury still out on what I’ll call him in the final version, but at the moment, it’s Tom. Maybe you have an opinion on that.
All in all, I’m happy with the way my February began, progressed, and ended. But I’m also eager for the next thing, which is March. I know it will be filled with lots of love, too.
And once again, I find myself praying to the One who loves me best.
Lead me, Lord. Help me complete what we’ve begun. Guide me in all I do in the coming days.
That’s my prayer for you, too.
May God lead you in the way you should go today and everyday.
Make us forget how loved we really are.
Reflections from Dorothy 