Cinco De Mayo, Mother’s Day, Armed Forces Day, and Memorial Day bring a variety of images to each of us!
As the world continues to struggle with war and man’s inhumanity to man, we need, especially this year for the newest generations, to step back and reflect on our individual blessings.
Cinco De Mayo
Cinco De Mayo celebrates the Mexicans military victory over the French forces of Napoleon III on May 5, 1862. The Battle of Puebla symbolized the country’s determination to thwart foreign aggression although outnumbered and poorly supplied. One hundred and sixty years later, we have Ukraine fighting a similar battle!
Mother’s Day
Mother’s Day brings a myriad of feelings and images. Hopefully, we each have fond memories of a mother who cared for us above herself. Those of us whose moms have passed to their eternal reward have an opportunity to reflect on the gifts they shared with us during their lifetime and can pass them on to other family members.
The media coverage from Ukraine depicting mothers desperately fleeing their country to save their children is heartbreaking. Yet, just as heartbreaking are the Russian moms whose sons were conscripted to an undesired war and many will never see their children again or even know what happened to them.
It is my hope that this Mother’s Day, Americans celebrate the gift of their moms who may not be perfect, but who have given their best to their families!
Liam enjoys SandyBoy!
“I love that SandyBoy makes me feel like I’m in the book. SandyBoy is real and that makes me want to read more about his life!” – Liam, April 2022
Armed Forces Day
Armed Forces Day, May 21, is a day set aside to honor all current and former personnel across all six branches of the US military. It is not a federal holiday but is celebrated with parades, flyovers, airshows and other events. As Americans, we need to be grateful to those who serve and protect our country. When you see someone who has served or is serving, thank them for their service!!
SandyBoy enjoying the green grass and blue skies of Spring!
Memorial Day
Memorial Day, May 30, honors those who died wearing the cloth of our nation at war. This includes both World Wars, Korea, Vietnam, Afghanistan and the Middle East.
This federal holiday is celebrated with parades, placing flags at gravesites, and family gatherings. It originated in the years following the Civil War and became an official federal holiday in 1971. In our current culture, patriotism is not as popular as it once was with our citizens who now voice dissatisfaction with our country. I remember as a child how our parents would load all of us into the family station wagon and we would visit all the cemeteries where relatives were buried and place flowers and American flags on graves. Somehow, we have lost respect for past lives and are more focused on our individual wants. I continue to be hopeful that there are those of us who are proud to remember and who share their pride with others!
Enjoy this month of remembering… I think I shall ride my SandyBoy to the pasture overlooking the beach and remember!!
ANIMALS OF SPRING
May brings many moments in nature to observe mothers and babies! It is the season in Maine for new life being born. At the barn, the barnswallows arrive and busily visit old nests and build new nests. The activity is astounding as they swoop in and out and chirp away. One needs to be aware of unwanted droppings on one’s head from above!
Migrating birds fly overhead as they continue toward their Canadian breeding grounds. Many species arrive from their winter habitats and stay for the season to raise their young here. The open pastures are loved by the bluebirds and red-winged blackbirds.
Yet, this spring we have a huge flock of turkeys at the barn… the young from last year have grown up and are strutting around showing their feathers. The horses do not mind them unless there are too many of them and they be come too noisy!!
Coming in July…
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