The Amateur Parker
Valentine’s Day Letter to Parking
By Melissa Bean Sterzick
Dear Parking, Valentine’s Day does funny things
to me. I eat a lot of chocolate and pink- frosted food, listen to sickeningly sappy music on the radio, and generally radiate sweetness for the entire month of Febru- ary. Sure, just ask my husband and chil- dren – it’s all candy hearts and cupids for 28 days – except this year, when I embrace my warm and fuzzy side for 29 days. Some people say Valentine’s Day is a
made-up holiday created to generate more money for the flower, candy and travel industries. Some say Valentine’s Day just tor- tures the single and lovelorn (although it can be torturous to couples and married folks, as well) and demolishes their self esteem.
And others say love should be
demonstrated every day – not just on a silly over-hyped holiday. I say all of those things, but despite that, I don’t mind cele- brating Valentine’s Day. I have no prob- lem with flowers or chocolate, however they come to me. I spend the entire month in a marsh-
mallow-flavored cloud of kindness, acceptance and gratitude, and it really shows in the way I park. All of my bad parking habits myste-
riously vanish. My fits of impatience and exasperation, and most of my swearing, go by the wayside. I wait my turn – some- times even waving on other drivers to let them go first. I drive slowly in parking
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lots. I put my shopping cart away. I drop a few extra coins in my meter so the next person who parks there feels good about his or her day. I valet with cheer, instead of my usu-
al grim reluctance, because if you can’t enjoy valet on Valentine’s Day, then you might need a little Prozac. I treat every cashier and valet with a tip and a smile, and congratulate them on a job well and quickly done. I even offer them a nice piece of gum from my glove box. Instead of bitterly wishing I could
somehow finagle myself a handicapped placard, I acknowledge that I am proud to live in a country that offers special parking privileges to those who need it
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