Happy May Day! 

I never knew the significance of May Day really. I just knew it had something to do with spring coming. I have only one significant memory of May Day, and that was all because of Kate. May Day was an acceptable way to play Ding-Dong-Ditch. I remember going to Kate’s house after school and picking flowers around the neighborhood. We made a couple of little baskets with those old green plastic strawberry containers. Do you remember those? We added a pipe cleaner handle and put the flowers in them. Ahh, the beautiful days of child’s play without electronic devices. 

We ran over to the neighbor’s house and hid behind the bushes. It was a very covert operation. I had no clue what we were doing, but as always, I followed Kate and let her lead the way. She knew what she was doing. She’d done it before. The excitement was building. We placed that first basket on the door step, rang the doorbell, and ran back behind the bushes. The rush of adrenaline was pumping through our veins. We waited in anticipation for the neighbor to open the door and find our surprise. Then this little old woman opened her door and saw what was left for and smiled. We made someone smile that day and that was the best feeling.

 It was the one and only time I ever “celebrated” May Day. I never really ever gave it any thought after that. But now, I think of her every May Day. I remember the fun and excitement. I think I’m going to start this little tradition with my boys. I know they’ll love it, and I know she’ll be watching over us with a smile.