“Mama always said life was like a box of chocolates. You never know what you’re gonna get.”- Forrest Gump
Valentine’s Day and chocolates go hand and hand, like peas and carrots.
Do you remember Valentine’s Day was a big deal when you were a child?
Boxes of chocolate were affectionately given from grandparents, parents, and friends at school. The week before the big day, we shopped for the perfect cards then sat at the 
kitchen table addressing each of our classmates. We stuffed our little envelops with chocolate or candy hearts stamped with messages like “I love you.” and “You are cute.” The next day we eagerly delivered them at the class party.
My Nana often gave my sisters and me a box of Russell Stover’s chocolates for Valentine’s Day. Half the fun was picking through the various chocolates to find the one we loved. Each one of us had our favorite. (Mine was the chocolate covered caramels.)
Hence, when Forest Gump sat on the park bench sharing his fantastical life I can’t help but think about my daughter with special needs, Mikelle, and reflect on her own exceptional life.
Like Mama Gump, as a single mother, I felt compelled to prepare Mikelle for life without me. Because, “Life is like a box of chocolates, you never know what you are going to get.”
Life with Mikelle has been exceptionally delicious!