Be part of Holly as she searches east Auckland for love and connection.
Through which Holly ponders Valentine’s and voter apathy.
“Love is profoundly political. Our deepest revolution will come once we perceive this reality.
“Solely love can provide us the power to go ahead within the midst of heartbreak and distress.
“Solely love can provide us the facility to reconcile, to redeem, the facility to resume weary spirits and save misplaced souls.
“The transformative energy of affection is the muse of all significant social change.”
So wrote bell hooks, however none of us are as unique as we predict we’re, and even bell (heroine that she was in my eyes) would in all probability admit that these ideas of hers had doubtless been thought by another person earlier than. Maybe by Saint Valentine.
I’m no spiritual scholar, Reader, so I’ll allow them to argue over the true historical past of this mysterious third-century matyr.
As an alternative, I’ll repeat to you the frequent legend, through which Valentinus, a priest, rebelled towards the powers that be, performing secret marriage ceremonies for {couples} so the husbands wouldn’t should go to warfare.
I do know three issues about saints, Reader.
The very first thing is that I’ll by no means be one. I’m simply Holly, a suburban heathen who falls in love 5 instances a day and who tries (however typically fails) to maintain her sarcasm in verify.
The second is that, apparently, saints are nice multi-taskers.
Saint Valentine is the patron saint not solely of lovers, but additionally of beekeepers, younger folks, travellers, epilepsy and plague. That’s a powerful vary.
The third factor I do know is that their tales typically finish in brutality (which makes me quite glad of the primary reality).
All through historical past, those that have stood up for what they believed in have risked paying a value.
Saint Valentine, apparently, was overwhelmed with golf equipment earlier than being beheaded.
In concept, the plight of Saint Valentine has little to do with me, otherwise you, or a nurse in Minneapolis, or an orphan in Gaza, or the great, devoted crew on the Howick Fireplace Station.
In actuality, it does, as a result of, as bell says: love is profoundly political.
I don’t thoughts which facet of politics somebody is on, or if, like me, they’re a little bit of a swinger (politically or in any other case) however I do consider that participation issues.
And no, commenting on social media doesn’t rely as participation.
I get it, Reader. You is perhaps as drained as I’m of assorted political figures posturing and level scoring, however we will’t permit our exhaustion to show into apathy.
Saint Valentine was executed for his beliefs. You and I face no such grim destiny, if, impressed by love, we embrace our accountability.
I really like my freedom, and as a girl, I really feel a accountability to honour the struggles of the suffragettes who fought for my rights… so, I vote.
I really like Aotearoa, and because the progeny of immigrants (certain, we landed over two centuries in the past, however we’re nonetheless an immigrant household), I really feel a accountability to the land that has welcomed and sustained us… so, I vote.
I’m no saint, however I really like my group and really feel a accountability to my fellow residents … so, I vote.
Love isn’t only a feeling, it’s motion. Love is one thing you do.
Be my Valentine, Reader. I’m solely asking for one current. Enrol to vote, in the event you haven’t already.
E-mail [email protected]
Yours in love,
Holly
