When Bob and I met in high school and began dating he introduced me to his mother. The introduction would be a fateful one, as over time she would become my “Mom away from Mom.” (But, that’s a story for another day…)
Her favorite flowers were daisies, so on May Day I made her a May basket and filled it with, what else? Daisies.
Quietly I snuck up to her doorstep, placed the basket near the door, rang the bell and then ran to hide!
It was a childhood tradition, the running and hiding.
She was too fast in answering the door, and caught me. It spoiled the fun of watching her wonder “Who did this?” but time would reveal that my actions that morning had endeared me to her.
May Day observance and its meaning are long forgotten by most folks today, but not by me, and not for its original meaning. For me, May Day brings back old memories of my Mother in Law, a basket of daisies and her love for me.
I loved you too, Mom, and some days I miss you terribly.
Happy May Day!
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For your interest…
Here is a video which shows a more traditional May Pole dance, which was, and still is, a part of the May Day Celebrations in England.
Such merry-making!
You may like to know that the dance is well choreographed, and when done correctly the May Pole will not just be wrapped in ribbons, it will be laced or woven in ribbons!
Image courtesy of Deaf Pagan Crossroads. Please click the image to be taken to her site and a well written post about the May Pole!
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A Special thanks to Steve Schwartzman of Portraits of Wildflowers as the inspiration for my post today, and also to EarthSky for the information on May Day celebrations. Both sites deserve a closer look!
Related articles
- Virtual May Basket (travelingrainvilles.typepad.com)
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You still here? Well then, here is an extra tidbit. If you are on WordPress and write a post that includes the words may pole dance you will be inundated by many suggestions for tie ins regarding the POLE DANCE! Which interestingly, seems to be promoted much differently than my understanding of the craft. 😉 That aside, Google made the distinction and offered up useful and germane information, whereas WordPress could not. 😉
Life on the Farmlet 