Good Morning! I’m in a rush this morning because I didn’t finish this last night, so I’ll talk more for tomorrow’s post. For now, though, it’s the 1st day of the month, which is always a wonderful thing, because it’s a new beginning, and the sun is shining! Have a good one!
Verse of the Day
May 1, 2019
We always thank God for all of you, mentioning you in our prayers.
—1 Thessalonians 1:2
Thoughts on the Verse of the Day
Why is it so hard to share with others that we have thanked God for bringing them into our lives? God let his Son Jesus know his love and approval. Remember his words at Jesus’ baptism and transfiguration? “This is my Son, whom I love…” The apostle Paul also let the struggling churches he started know that he was praying for them regularly (cf. Philippians 1:3). It’s a great blessing to thank God for someone special in our lives. It’s a double blessing to let those people know we’ve thanked God for their being in our lives. Let’s commit to be a “double blessing” people today!
www.verseoftheday.com
Batman Day – I admit I have not been an avid Batman fan my whole life, as I’m sure some people are, but he is still pretty big news since he has lasted so long in media and movies. The character of Batman first appeared in Detectives Comics #27 in May of 1939. May 1st was designated as a day to celebrate this timeless character. I did enjoy the movies but thought the TV series was silly. I was more of a princess and fairy tale girl, rather than a super hero girl. But there’s something for everyone!
Executive Coaching Day – Coaches are pretty important in life – whether they are sports coaches, life coaches, or Executive Coaches. Most people don’t even know they exist but apparently, they do. This is an “unofficial” holiday that was created to recognize the talent of the people who were behind the scenes coaches that have helped so many executives and employees rise to the top of their industries. The idea was that the coaches of professional athletes and professional motivators had their own days, but that the people who give the boost to executives were under appreciated. Well, for those of you – I don’t know any personally – who coach the “big guys” – this day is for you.
Hug Your Cat Day – For those of us who love our cats, this is a good day. My cat is a cozy, huggy, snuggle baby, but only with me. Some cats allow you a little bit of petting time, then nonchalantly wander off – as if they are doing us a favor. Other cats are true huggers and just want to settle into a lap for a long nap. Go ahead and give your cat a big, furry hug. For the dog lovers – hugging our dogs is good too, they deserve it, but today it is all about the cats!
Keep Kids Alive! Drive 25 Day – This organization is set up to bring awareness to people across the country to watch their speeds while driving in residential neighborhoods. So many children are riding their bikes, walking or playing in yards near streets, and speeding cars through these areas cause many unnecessary accidents and deaths of kids who dart out to catch a ball, fall off of their bikes, etc. The difference between 25 mph and even 30 mph often means the difference between life and death. Watch your speed in those areas – saving the life of a child, and not suffering the mental and emotional anguish of being the person to end that life – is more than worth the few extra seconds you might make speeding. Slow down. It’s important!
Law Day – On May 1st, 1957, Charles Rhyne, President of the American Bar Association, thought that a special day for celebrating the US legal system was a good idea. It became his vision. On February 3, 1958, President Dwight Eisenhower established Law Day by issuing a proclamation. Since then every President has issued an annual Law Day proclamation. On May 1, 1961 it was designated by joint resolution of Congress to be the official date for the celebration Law Day.
Lei Day – There was a writer and poet, Don Blanding, who in 1928 wrote an article for a newspaper suggesting that it would be a good idea to have a holiday that was centered around the Hawaiian custom of making and wearing leis. It was another writer, Grace Tower Warren, who came up with the idea that it should be held on May 1 to go along with May Day. She also came up with the phrase, “May Day is Lei Day”. The very first Lei Day was held on May 1st, 1928 – so it looks like the time from the original newspaper article to the actual holiday wasn’t that far apart! Everyone was encouraged to wear a lei, and there were festivities held in Honolulu that included hula, music, lei making demonstrations, exhibits and even lei making contests! The holiday, with leis everywhere, recaptured some of the old spirit of the islands. In 1928 it was made an official holiday in Hawaii, and since that 1st year was only interrupted during the years of World War II. Apparently if you are ever in Oahu on May 1st, you’ll get to enjoy this holiday for yourself!
Loyalty Day – this is the day to express and reaffirm our loyalty to our country. In proclaiming this day, President George W. Bush, wrote, “We express allegiance to our Nation and its founding ideals, we resolve to ensure that the blessings of liberty endure and extend for generations to come.” This day did not start with George Bush’ proclamation though. It actually dates back to the 1920’s. We should take a moment also to appreciate the members of our armed forces, past and present, who are displaying, or have displayed, the ultimate in loyalty and service to protect our freedoms, and liberty and our way of life.
May Day – I remember as a child making paper baskets, filling them with wild flowers, dandelions mostly, hanging them from the doorknobs of the neighbors’ houses, ringing the bell and running away giggling. It was fun, and the neighbors seemed to enjoy it. One thing I never stopped to do though, was find out the origins of this day, just took for granted that it was celebrated because spring was in the air and everyone was happy about it. Turns out that this day has a rich history, with roots deep in pagan ritual, which is probably why we never celebrated it in church growing up. It is interesting though, so I figured I would bring it to you. The first of May is celebrated around the world. It has many meanings – in many countries it is a celebration of spring, and the coming of summer (which is where I have always been with it), and the focus is on spring flowers. To communist and socialist countries, it is a celebration for the workers. In many countries it is celebrated as part one of a three-day holiday. It is not a national holiday in the United States, except in Hawaii, where it is known as “Lei Day”.
The origins of May Day date back to the days before the birth of Christ, and like I said before, as in many ancient festivals, it has a Pagan connection. For the Druids of the British Isles, May 1st was the 2nd most important holiday of the year, because it was when the festival of Beltane was held. It was thought that the day divides the year in half. The other half was to be ended with the Samhain on November 1st. In those days the May Day custom was the setting of new fire. It was one of those ancient New Year rites performed throughout the world. The fire itself was thought to lend life to the springtime sun. Cattle were driven through it to purify them (must have been some very tolerant cows!), and men and their sweethearts passed through the smoke for good luck. Then the Romans came to occupy the British Isles. The beginning of May was a very popular feast time for the Romans, and devoted primarily to the worship of Flora, the goddess of flowers. It was in her honor that a five-day celebration, called the Floralia, was held. The festival would start on April 28th and end on May 2nd. The rituals of this festival were brought to the British Isles and gradually they were added to those of the Beltane. Many of today’s customs on the May Day have a similarity to those combined traditions. The observance of May Day was discouraged during the time of the Puritans, though it was revived when the Puritans lost power in England, it didn’t have the same force as it did before. Over time it began to be thought of as more a day of joy and fun for the kids, instead of a day of observing the ancient fertility rites.
So, what about the tradition of the Maypole and the greenery? Well, by the Middle Ages every English village had a Maypole. The bringing in of the Maypole from the woods was a great occasion and was done with a lot of rejoicing and a big party. The Maypoles were of all sizes. One village with compete with another to show who could produce the tallest Maypole. Maypoles were usually set up for the day in small towns, but in London and the larger towns they were set up permanently. The tradition was stopped by the Puritan Long Parliament in 1644, but with the return of the Stuarts, the Maypole reappeared, and the festivities of May Day were again enjoyed. The Reformation attempted to do away with practices that were obviously of pagan nature, but the Maypole was one that survived by changing its name. Instead of the Maypole, it came to be known as the Tree of Liberty and was the symbol of the French Revolution. In spite of the new name, the peasants treated the tree in the traditional spirit and would dance around it as their forefathers had always done. Why the tree though? Trees have always been linked to the days of ancient New Year rites. They have always been the symbol of vitality and fertility of nature and were often used in the spring festivals. The tree, or Maypole, would be cut down, and all of the branches taken off, except the top few. Then it was wrapped with violets like the figure of Attis, the ancient Roman god. At sunrise, they used to take it back to their villages by blowing horns and flutes. In America, since the Puritans frowned on May Day, it has never been celebrated with the enthusiasm as it was in Great Britain. In spite of the scorn of the Puritans, the tradition of celebrating May Day by dancing and singing around a maypole, tied with colorful streamers or ribbons, survived as part of the English tradition. Kids celebrate the day by moving back and forth around the pole with the streamers, choosing the May queen and hanging May baskets onto the doorknobs of neighbors. And now we know! Though I would never celebrate a pagan holiday for the reasons celebrated by people of those beliefs, I do think that celebrating spring is a wonderful thing and that the elderly and the shut-ins do enjoy baskets of flowers left on their doorsteps, appreciating being remembered.
Mother Goose Day – This is a fairly recent celebration created in 1987 by Gloria T. Delamar at the time she published her book, Mother Goose, From Nursery to Literature. She started it as a day to appreciate nursery rhymes and stories. They are a favorite of children and their parents because so many are easy to remember. The term “Mother Goose” dates back to the 1650s. It referred to stories like Cinderella, Little Red Riding Hood and Sleeping Beauty. It never meant a specific person, since these stories and rhymes were written both long before and after the name came into being. Enjoy remembering a few of your favorites today – it’s always nice to take a walk down memory lane.
School Principal’s Day – Today is the day to honor all school principals at elementary, middle and high school levels. This is a tough job – dealing with all of the kids, the teachers, the parents, the administrators, the board, the public . . . the list goes on. I honestly wouldn’t envy their jobs, very stressful! However, they are people and as such there are good ones, there are bad ones, and when I was in school, I had both kinds, and when my kids were in school, THEY had both kinds. Either way, it is a big job and deserves to be acknowledged. If you see your kids’ principal today, say hi and thank you. Maybe it’ll give them the boost they need to keep on going for another day.
Silver Star Day – This is such a well-deserved and wonderful celebration! Thanks to the efforts of the Silver Star Families of America, Indiana and New Mexico have proclaimed this day to honor the nation’s wounded service members. It is their dream to have this celebration be a nationwide event.” The American Legion is assisting in finding a representative in each state to support the observance of this day. The day of recognition is open to participation by other groups wishing to honor America’s wounded troops, as well. The Patriot Guard Riders, a motorcycle group that attends military funerals to shield families from protesters, has indicated it would like to hold a rally to commemorate the day. Today celebrate and honor the sacrifice of those who were wounded, struck ill, or died in the Armed Forces.
Stepmother’s Day – We have Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, Grandparent’s Day . . . it is time to have Stepmother’s Day. I hope there is also a Stepfather’s Day and if there isn’t, there needs to be. Stepmothers fill a difficult role. They come into a child’s life not to replace their mother, but to be an additional support system and source of love for that child, and let’s face it. Stories, movies and fairy tales have given step-moms a really bad rap! They are always shown as evil, mean and manipulative! I’m sure there are a fair share of those in the world, but every role has its share of bad guys. For the most part though, step-moms need to be appreciated and given the acknowledgement that they are trying hard to be a positive influence in a child’s life, not to do anything against the biological mother in any way. To all stepmothers, we appreciate you.
Food Celebration of the Day
National Chocolate Parfait Day – Order a parfait in France and you’ll get frozen custard, lightened with whipped cream. In Britain and the U.S., a parfait is the layered treat made up of either pudding and whipped cream, yogurt with fruit and granola, or (yum!) ice cream and hot fudge. I’ll take any with a big smile and a lot of happiness. Create your happy treat today, just the way you want it.
May your 1st day of May be wonderful in every way, and may the sunshine be warm upon your head, and baskets of flowers show up on your doorstep. God bless you and I’ll see you tomorrow.
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Celebration list sources:
www.verseoftheday.com www.brownielocks.com www.holidayinsights.com www.thenibble.com www.foodimentary.com