In observance of February’s celebration of love, Obadiah Homemaker Volunteers Club vice president and program chair Robin Doerner opened the club’s February meeting with a self-penned essay emphasizing the importance of the heart to humans.

“Hearts. The normal healthy heart beats 60-100 times a minute,” Doerner said. “We all need our hearts.  We can’t live without them.  Hearts are a complex machine used to run our entire body.

“When we get mad (and we all do), our heart pumps harder because our blood pressure goes up and veins pop out and we breath harder. Our heart gets the message something is wrong and it beats faster to compensate. On the other hand, when we are young and silly and in ‘sappy’ love, our blood pressure stays even, our thoughts are happy, and we float through air all day. Hearts are happy; no extra work, just sailing along with all the good vibes coming its way,” Doerner said.

“Then serious love comes along. Lifetime, enduring love. The heart settles into a rhythm all your own and sings right along with you. Love will help you live longer, be mentally sharper,  physically and health wise better. So we all need to love someone. We love our soul mate. We love our children. We really love those grandchildren. We love our pets, our friends, and many other things.

“Sometimes love goes away. Don’t ever be sad it’s gone, be glad you had it. You lose the mate you had for years. Be glad for the years you had and treasure them. Sometimes love just does not work out. That’s okay, too,” she said. “Life has many lessons and sometimes that’s one of them. No matter what, we all have loved and we are loved. Above all, God loves each and every one of us.”

Doerner then noted to the club members they each had three hearts at their placemats: pink, red and white. She requested them to take the pink heart and write in the center something or someone they love. The red heart had the word ”love” etched in the center. Members were instructed to take the red heart home and to put it where they could see it daily to remind them they are loved. 

With the white heart, members were instructed to write “thank you” in the center and to turn the card in. The cards will be attached to a poster for the veterans center “So they will know that they are in our hearts and we are thankful for their service,” Doerner said.

The devotion was presented by Cathy Clearman, who chose a selection from “UpWords: The Teaching Ministry of Max Lucado” titled “Take Up Your Cross.” The focal scripture was Luke 9:23: “If any of you want to be my followers, you must forget about yourself. You must take up your cross each day and follow me.” Lucida’s daily devotions can be found at www.crosswalk.com or can be listened to at www.oneplace.com.  

Valentine’s Day goodies were collected to donate to the veterans center as well as Hope Village, along with boxes of valentines for the children.

During the business session, Elouise Ethridge reported she planted a flat of yellow pansies at the post office as part of the club’s ongoing beautification project for the building.

Club president Gilbertson informed members creative writing submissions were due in the Lauderdale County Extension Service office by Feb. 15, and the annual dress revue will be held at the March council meeting. The February council meeting will be on the 22nd at the EMEPA auditorium, and the committee for the planning of the Spring Area Meeting, to be held in Meridian, will be held Thursday morning at 10 a.m.

The meeting was adjourned with the Pledge of Allegiance and refreshments were served by hostesses Elaine Herber and Cathy Clearman.

• Report submitted by Cathy Clearman.