The theme for this year's Valentine's Contest was "A Gift From the Heart."
It warmed my heart to read all the wonderful entries from young and old across the country. Thank you for sharing so many personal stories with us! We felt as though we were receiving gift after gift as we read them.
The most popular "gift?" Many adults wrote about their children. And many children actually admitted that their sister or brother ("he's only annoying sometimes") was their "best gift of all!" Other entrants wrote about special parents and grandparents, and keepsakes they had received or gifts of the spirit. There were also many gifts of love from life partners. And some entrants wrote about acts of kindness, often quite unexpected, from acquaintances and even total strangers. It gives you hope for this world of ours.
One interesting entry was from a teacher who does a Transcendental Gift Exchange with her students each year. Students draw names of classmates and are given a small envelope into which they are to put two anonymous gifts to the recipient. The gift is the idea, not the object. The first gift must represent the spirit of the giver, and the second the spirit of the recipient. Students write their gifts on slips of paper and creatively decorate their envelopes. As the gifts are revealed and shared, students learn about themselves, each other, and true gifts from the heart.
With so many wonderful, creative entries, it was very difficult to choose just one Grand Prize winner and ten runners-up. The judging committee was drawn to our Grand Prize winner not only because it is well-written, original, evocative, and obviously heartfelt. It is also so relevant to current world events. It speaks to the spirit of a legacy of a more peaceful world that I know we all want for our children and grandchildren.
On a personal note, I would like to thank the judging committee for all their work judging this contest. Judging is fulfilling work, but also long and hard work. In particular, I would like to thank Jim Barry for his dedication, diligence, and enthusiasm. We couldn't have done it without you!
The Something to Remember Me By Legacy Project has four different contests throughout the year. Make sure you check out our current Mother's Day Contest!
With warm wishes,
Susan V. Bosak
Chair, Something to Remember Me By Legacy Project
Click here to find out the Winners of the 2003 Valentine's Contest
Click here to read a special story from the contest
