Not quite a native Ripley Countian - she attended only her last year of high school in Doniphan though she taught in the R-1 system for 32 years - Teresa (Pearson) Lee delights in surprising readers and herself with anecdotal observations of life in general. Maybe you can blame her St.Louis roots for a quirky humor and some slightly-askewed opinions, but never doubt she writes from the heart.

Happy Valentine's Day, Life!

Posted Saturday, February 12, 2022, at 9:22 AM

A special Valentine that has been around a while...tattered and torn now..."messy and imperfect" now but from the heart and appreciated all the more.

Happy Valentine’s Day, Life!

I love you as you are,

Messy, imperfect,

Mixing laughter and joy

With worry and strife.

You have stayed with me a while,

Being awesome, teaching,

Surprising, meddling

In my thoughts, keeping me

On my toes, with style.

You march on with such patience

For your lessons unlearned,

Ignored, repeated.

At times you wonder if

I have lost my sense.

I’m grateful you’re still around,

Taking me as I am,

Messy, imperfect,

Awed by your gifts of touch,

Smell, taste, sight and sound.

Life, I don’t take you for granted!