| Flowers, candy or a brick....how will you celebrate this | | | | That was my father's advice which regretfully, in my |
| Valentine's Day? If you are fortunate, you'll enjoy a | | | | youthful wisdom, I chose to ignore. |
| traditional candle light dinner, trinkets and dessert. | | | | The fortunate can work on their relationship and reap |
| However, if your relationship is on the rocks (and I don't | | | | the rewards of togetherness. But for some of us, hard |
| mean diamonds) you might search to see if there is a | | | | as we try, we have to face letting the relationship go |
| brick in your life... | | | | because of abuse, infidelity, financial ruin, addiction or |
| A brick you ask? There is a legend emanating from | | | | mental illness. In these instances we can try our best |
| the Valentine's Day Massacre of 1929. History was | | | | to find a solution, but the marriage can not survive |
| made when 7 of Bugs Moran's gangsters were | | | | unless the afflicted partner takes responsibility and |
| brutally gunned down in a red brick warehouse on | | | | gets needed help. Giving up the "happily ever after" |
| Clark Street in Chicago. The crime was never solved, | | | | dream is devastating, especially if children are involved. |
| the site became a tourist trap, and eventually the | | | | But if we do so, and take time out to examine how |
| building was demolished. The crime scene's bricks, | | | | we got entangled in a destructive relationship, we can |
| minus those stolen by construction workers, were sold | | | | heal our wounds and then get a second chance at |
| for a $1000 each. Legend has it that anyone who | | | | building a new, healthy romance. |
| came in contact with these bricks, even the stolen | | | | Hopefully you will never have to experience divorce, |
| ones, was stricken with bad luck in the form of illness, | | | | but if you must, I implore you to do so wisely. Pick the |
| financial ruin, divorce and even death. The bricks came | | | | right attorney for your situation and learn how to work |
| to be known as having a cursed, negative energy. | | | | with the divorce professionals you may need. |
| Like the warehouse on Clark Street, events beyond | | | | Empowering yourself with knowledge will ultimately |
| our control can alter our future. Love is still a mystery | | | | save you time, pain and money. Ask for help when |
| and there are many theories. I tend to agree with John | | | | you need it. If an amicable division is possible, explore a |
| Money's 'lovemap' theory that we each have | | | | Collaborative Divorce or Mediation. Should you have a |
| messages encoded in our brain telling us who our ideal | | | | contentious situation and your spouse hires a |
| mate is. This lovemap is set in childhood and | | | | barracuda, do the same. But most of all know this |
| supposedly starts floating around in our brain by the | | | | horrible time shall end, the pain will lessen, and if you |
| time we are 8. It tells us our likes and dislikes in a mate, | | | | harness your gifts you can transform the trauma of |
| from hair color to personality. It's primarily determined | | | | divorce into a brilliant, new beginning. |
| by our first love-Mom and her attributes. Dad plays a | | | | So, this Valentine's Day consider yourself lucky if you |
| role too, in that we tend to model how he treats Mom. | | | | have a beloved to share it with. And should you have |
| So, my advice: get to know your significant other's | | | | a friend who is alone on the 14th, I challenge you to |
| family well and study the interactions. Metaphorically | | | | surprise him/her with a gesture of love. Prove there is |
| speaking, you'll get to know the building's history, brick | | | | an abundance of love to go around. The Law of |
| by brick, and it will give you a mirror into your future. | | | | Attraction will thank you. |