Almost a week ago, May Day came and went with no flower baskets hung on our doors and no dancing around May poles. This isn't surprising as it isn't really a 'holiday' that gets much recognition in the U.S., but it has sentimental meaning to me personally.
I grew up with no grandparents or extended family close by, but was fortunate to develop relationships with great people who became like family. One of those indivuals was a good family friend, Mrs. Fennel. When I was a little boy, my grandma lived an ocean away in Hawaii but Mrs. Fennel was a great fill-in. She would come have lunch with me at school on Grandparents Day, play board games over at her house, and until I was a grown adult with a family of my own she would send me a Christmas ornament from some place she had travelled in the world that year. When I was old enough to have my own Christmas tree, I already had my ornaments - a collection of them from all over the world, each with sentimental value!
One of my favorite Mrs. Fennel memories was when I was 6 or 7 and we made May Day baskets in school. My teacher explained how we were supposed to hang them on someone's door as a special gift. I immediately thought of Mrs. Fennel and after school my Mom drove and we did a May Day drive by. I left my gift on the door, rang the doorbell and ran away. As a little kid, I thought it was the coolest thing and I was sure Mrs. Fennel appreciated the gift.
So, it's not a big holiday or really a big deal to most people I know, but to me May Day is a reminder of a special person from my childhood that filled an important role in my life. Happy May Day Mrs. Fennel!
