The Miracle of May

After long crummy-cold winters in Ohio, May was always a miracle to behold. Gloomy- grey skies suddenly slipped into a beautiful blue. Brown twigs and brown grass sported new green coats. From blossom to birdsong rebirth was evident everywhere. I miss the parade of yellow: forsythia’s yellow blooms, seas of yellow dandelions floating in green grass, yellow daffodils winding down, and pots of marigolds smelling like new earth. Cacophonies of joyful chirps from robins, bluebirds and white – throated sparrows reverberate across the morning breezes — certainly harbingers of spring and summer wonders to come! Soon flowers will be brilliantly blooming, with orange and yellow butterflies fluttering thru them. Soft caressing breezes gently rustle thru the newborn leaves in the month of May. And pillow- puffy, white clouds floating in an azure blue sky announce another beautiful May day. “Awake! Awake!” Mother Nature commands. The ice has all melted and lakes glitter golden in a warmer sun, enticing boaters to rev up their engines once again. Picnics are planned. Windows opened. The miracle of a resurrection from winter’s death to spring’s life astonishes all who behold it’s magic.

And into all that grandeur, my daughter was born in the month of May close to Mother’s Day. In our church we honor Mary, the mother of Jesus, in the month of May. Whenever I hear the song, “Ave Maria” it brings tears to my eyes. On a sad note, my father passed away in the month of May. More tears.

I can’t help feeling a little melancholy in Florida, we don’t have that kind of “May”. But what we do have is more sunshiny days with a lovely afternoon drizzle (I’m still waiting this year), less traffic, empty beaches all to ourselves. And deals, lots of deals. Restaurants entice us in with half off specials. Clothing stores practically pay us to come by and buy. Golfers can play any course, anytime dirt cheap. Everything slows down to a lazy-river-kind-of pace.

Life is good in the month of May wherever you live. Get out and enjoy it before it slips away.