Just Musing: A May Day tradition and a truck stop like no other
We turned the calendar over to a new month this past week. Hopefully, we also left the cold weather behind. I know many of my friends already have purchased flowers and are eager to get them in the ground. I usually wait until after Mother’s Day to plant mine, but have a date with a friend for a trip to Amherst this week to purchase some. I just hope we are not too late to get some pretty geraniums. They seem to sell out fast.
May 1 also reminded me of a forgotten tradition of hanging May Day baskets on door knobs of friends and neighbors, knock on the door or ring the doorbell to bring them to the door to find their surprise and then run. My brothers and I did this for several years when we were little.
I remember making the so-called basket from construction paper or leftover wall paper, rolled into a cone-shaped basket, glued and then filled with whatever wild flowers we could find in a friend of the family’s woods. Glue a piece of ribbon or string to the top and we were all set for a fun morning. A fun childhood memory. Of course, the culture was much different than today, also. We knew our neighbors and visited back and forth. Today, I only know my neighbors on each side of me.
Kids in a candy story at Buc-ee's
I keep forgetting to mention that on our way home from Florida my housemates Polly and Nancy kept seeing huge billboards with a picture of a beaver advertising Buc-ee’s and were curious what it was. I knew our last opportunity to stop was in Richmond, Kentucky, and we were getting low on gas, so we took the exit and when they saw the enormity of the gas stop were awe struck. I don’t know how many gas pumps there were at this store but we filled up at pump 214 and there were still several islands down the row.
Needless to say, they had to make a quick look through the massive store so we could get back on the road and home before dark, but they were like a kid in a candy store. Those who have been to a Buc-ee’s know what I mean. For those who have not been to one, I understand they are building one in Huber Heights. Could be a future fun day trip.
A couple of milestones - Mother's Day and a fifth birthday
Mother’s Day is next Sunday, May 12. Whatever your plans, I believe most mothers are just happy to hear your voice and three little words − "I love you." Families often live miles and even states apart, making it difficult to be together on this special day. But a phone call, FaceTime or Zoom can be a good substitute.
My great-grandson, Jaxon, who was born CDH (congenital diaphragmatic hernia which is a birth defect that allows the organs to move into the chest cavity), celebrated a milestone this past week celebrating his fifth birthday. In his short five years, he has experienced many ups and downs, but except for his size you would never know the battles he’s faced and overcome.
He’s energetic, smart, stubborn, independent and sweet all wrapped into one. His preschool class honored him by wearing blue, pink or yellow, which are CDH awareness colors, to help him celebrate his special day. With one lung much smaller, he will never be able to play contact sports, but you should see him on the golf course and he's playing his first year of t-ball. Quite a warrior. He has never let CDH define him.
Speaking of milestones, a dear friend and former Marion County leader, Merle Lashey, celebrated his 100th birthday, May 1. If you happen to see him out and about, I’m sure he would love belated wishes.
Let me leave you with this quotation by an unknown author: “Strength does not come from physical capacity. It comes from an indomitable will.”
Until next week, be safe and be kind.
Brenda Donegan is a former Marion Star staffer. She may be reached at brendadonegan55@gmail.com.
This article originally appeared on Marion Star: Celebrating May, milestones and a Buc-ee's mega mart
