Keeping traditions alive
Can be a tricky business.
I’m a believer in tradition
It gives a continuity to life
Between generations.
But you have to pick and choose
What to hold on to
Or there’s no room for the new.
The May Day’s of my youth have
Disappeared for a decade or several.
The last few years have given me hope
That this gracious tradition is not dead.
May Day had many incarnations
My favorite is the May Day of my youth.
Makeshift construction paper baskets
With pipe cleaner hangers
Filled with flowers
And hung anonymously
On doors of family, neighbors and friends.
A simple kindness.
It just seemed natural
That there should be a way
To re-introduce May Day to the next generation
What better chance than the church youth group.
So this evening they came to make bouquets
For members of the church.
You never really know
When you do something like this
If kids are going to like it
Or if you really are a much older lady
Than you let yourself believe you are.
They jumped right in
Making 10 wonderful arrangements
To spread kindness
Throughout the town.
When I came back into the house.
As fate would have it
Some anonymous children
Had left a May basket on our door.
And decorated the pot at our front door.
With none other
Than an original ladybug.
Judging by the glitter
I’m pretty sure
Cassidy, Sloan and Beth
Made a surprise visit.
Kindness training
Something we all need
I’m guessing even more so
In 2016
Happy May Day
Gail
