is in the air

Las Vegas has offered mixed odds on 2021 so far. On Feb. 2, Punxsutawney Phil predicted six more weeks of winter, and COVID-19 surges and recedes around us. But in Leisure World, there are a few bright spots on the horizon— nearly half of the community has been vaccinated against COVID-19 and Valentine’s Day, that little oasis of hearts and flowers, is almost here.

It’s clear that LWers (rightly) are way more focused on getting themselves and their neighbors registered and vaccinated against COVID-19. After the LW Weekly put out a call for Valentines last week, it got only a couple of responses. Even so, a day dedicated to love deserves a salute, especially in this roller-coaster year.

So, in a toast to Valentine’s Day on Feb. 14, your LW neighbors and friends bring you a potpourri of sweet sentiment, a couple of love stories and a little verse. This simple offering celebrates one of the greatest of human truths—love covers, prevails and outlasts.

True Love Never Dies

A special Valentine for an exceptional man. My beautiful Milo, my life was forever changed when you asked if you could call me sometime. I can’t find the words to describe our chemistry. You are the smile to my face. You are my shining star.

Although death parted us, life was so very wonderful with you. True love never dies.

Your Beloved, Julia Editor’s note: Julia Howell of Mutual 9 told us that her Milo “was a confirmed bachelor and left this world a married man at 67. “We were married in ICU one day before he died,” she said, acknowledging that this Feb. 14 will be rough for her, as it will for many who have lost loved ones. The cost of love is sorrow, but the joy of love endures beyond the pain.

Be Mine, Valentine

Valentine K,

Be Mine Over morning coffee, rainy days, crimson sunsets and nights of a thousand stars.

For with you Ordinary moments dawn extraordinary.

Rick Weaver Mutual 3 52 Years of Valentines

Wishing my honey Roman a very Happy Valentine’s Day. Looking forward to celebrating our 2021 Valentine’s Day together, marking our 52nd one, four as dating sweethearts and 48 as husband and wife. You have always been such a romantic, from flowers to candies, sweet cards and gifts.

After raising two beautiful kids together (from whom we were granted the precious gifts of five beautiful grandchildren along with a dear daughter-in-law and gracious son-inlaw), our decision to move to Leisure World has been one of our best.

Although we did not move far—from La Mirada—we now feel as if we are living the dream. Moving here in December 2019, pre-pandemic, we were just starting to enjoy the amenities and our travel plans.

During the pandemic, we have made some truly wonderful friends within our Mutual, enjoying socially distanced outdoor happy hours on the beautiful greenbelts and many walks within the safety of our LW neighborhood. I am so grateful that the Good Lord placed us in such beautiful surroundings. And especially grateful for you. You always make make me feel so loved and special. I look forward to our next chapter together.

With All My Love and Valentine wishes, Sylvia Sylvia Zavala, Mutual 11 To My Man in Uniform Let me take you back 20 years to 1998.

No Internet dating yet, I put an ad in the Register: “Looking for smart, gentle, funloving, dancer, non-smoker who snorkels.”

A few weeks later, I got a call from Keith Kelsay, arranging a meeting at Borders bookstore in Brea after his senior softball game. Right on time, a man in uniform walks in. Wow! I love a man in uniform.

After chatting and covering the last 30 years of our lives in an hour, we walked to the cars.

He opened his trunk, and there lay two dozen droopy but lovely pink roses. Remember “You’ve Got Mail?”

Our first cruise was on the Windjammer Flying Cloud around the Virgin Islands. There were 51 shipmates and upper and lower cabins as big as our bathroom. It was then we decided that if we could survive that, we could live together. I retired, and we moved into our beach bungalow. We unpacked a few boxes, then took off for a Tahiti-Hawaii cruise. Fast forward all these years, and Keith is still my “Valentine in Uniform,” gentle and kind (but I did have to teach him to dance and snorkel).

Cindy Gannon, Mutual 4

My Valentine—Forever Yours

(dedicated to those who grieve)

On Valentine’s Day every desk was covered with heart-shaped candies proclaiming Love, Kisses, You’re #1, Hugs, Be Mine, Forever Yours… Our inclusive-minded 5th grade teacher told us, Yes, you may hand out valentines, but only if to all. That was 60 years ago… My heart became exclusive In its love for only you. If I could, I’d give you the largest candy heart in the universe. (All in the realm of oh-if-only…) With tearful eyes I raise my hands to heaven, I offer my heart, not candied, but alive and beating. My dearest, my heart, look down and smile and read the simple words: Love…My Love…Be Mine… I am Forever Yours!

Fred Wind, Mutual 12

Cindy Gannon and Keith Kelsay are celebrating 23 years together.