Waking up to a stark reminder: another Valentine’s Day without a partner by our side, on a daily basis.
Pulling ourselves out of the sheets, making a nice cup of coffee and browsing Facebook.
Read a well-intentioned wish: “…remember, love happens when you least expect it…”
Sledgehammer, obvious: single women past their 40s disturb, make uncomfortable their entourage. To this woman you love, friend, colleague, sister, you simply don’t know what to say to take away the weight of loneliness, the pain of repeated rejection, the dashed hopes of finding THE one to start a family or to share your life. So we say this, rather than saying nothing, with our hearts wrapped in good intentions:
“…You will find: you are such an amazing woman!…”
“…At least you’re lucky: you can do whatever you want without being accountable to anyone…”
“…You have to love yourself first before you can find love…”
“…You have a great career! Who needs a man?”
“…Oh, I so want to be single again like you!…”
“…I envy you so much, with all those little moments all to yourself!…”
“…At least you save money!…
Join a dating site: it will work!
And while waiting for the one with whom these women will perhaps live love with a small or a big A, there is the moment: present. Accessible to all, without discrimination, to the beating hearts. This moment that we can seize to make different. To create love around you by calling, texting, emailing. Because in the present, everything is possible: the listening that feels good, the gesture that touches, the renewed importance. Because I deeply believe that it is, thanks to these small doses of simple love, of exchanged recognitions, of shared kindnesses that we heal or build ourselves. That we find the courage to take the path to take care of our pain of being alone instead of repressing it. That we talk about our lacks to someone instead of trivializing them.
I simply want to wish you today, to rediscover this person who is already in your life, with whom you can live in all your vulnerability, free.
Catherine-Emmanuelle
*Phrases taken from cosmopolitan.co.uk
Translated with www.DeepL.com/Translator (free version)