Saturday, February 16, 2008

A Real Valentine

A bit of unsolicited advice for young people (who think they are) in love. A reality check, really.

If you are looking for someone who is pretty, smart, ambitious, and will be wildly successful, I cannot help you. But if you are looking for someone who is caring, loving, who will make a good life-long partner, try this.

Take him or her to a special school to visit those kids who are handicapped, autistic, mentally retarded, ... If he or she seems nervous at first and does not know what to do, don’t worry yet. Most people are like that in the beginning.

Given some time and encouragement, if he or she starts to warm to the children, tries to talk to them (the children may or may not respond explicitly, despite our best efforts), holds their hands, or even put them in his or her lap, then you have a keeper. If your friend can make them laugh, then you have a winner.

If he or she cannot get themselves to touch the children no matter what, then you have some serious thinking to do. This is not scientifically proven, of course, but I think it is a good indicator.



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