“Affection is responsible for nine-tenths of whatever solid and
durable happiness there is in our lives.” — C. S. Lewis,
1898-1963 C. S. Lewis, author of the much loved children’s
classic series “The Chronicles of Narnia,” taught English
literature at Oxford and Cambridge. Lewis had a wide circle of
friends and valued relationships. Returning from service in
World War I, he honored a pact he had made with a friend who had
been killed during the war and cared for the friend’s family. As
we near Valentine’s Day in Richmond County, Lewis’ perspective
seemed a fitting sentiment. Catholic Pope Gelasius established
St. Valentine’s Day in 496. It is based on the legend of St.
Valentine, a Christian priest during the reign of the Roman
Emperor Claudius II. Claudius, called Claudius the Cruel, was
unhappy that so few young men were showing up for his wars and
decided they weren’t coming to fight because they didn’t want to
leave their wives and girlfriends. To remedy the situation, he
announced a ban on marriage. Clau