May is leaving us with a fury of wind and rain as if to say—I resent going—I want to stay with you always. Indeed that is how I feel, too, for the month of May is my favorite. It began with its usual burst of beauty, sunlight and joy of life. My heart always does a double flip when I realize this is the month I came into the world. So,  as the dawning of May 2nd begins, I thrill that once again I can mark another year of being able to have known May and all its beauty. The cherry blossoms are beginning their descent slowly to the ground as the apple trees burst forth in their pink and white blossoms. In almost every direction, one sees the vibrant colors of spring flowers. I think back to a dear friend who once said, “I looked to the flowers and they said, “Behold she smiles” and indeed I do smile as I walk about in the loveliness of May. The weather is almost a perfect temperature each day, the skies a soft blue with floating white clouds. I have many friends who are celebrating their birthday this month, too.  One just said to me, “Isn’t May a lovely month to be born in.”
Our flower, the Lily of the Valley, sends forth its delicate fragrance from the petit bells of whiteness. We are reminded of the hymn which tells of Jesus as being, The Lily of the Valley. I remember one May when a kind hand picked a bouquet of my flower and presented it to me with love and devotion. How fragrant is the flower, Dear Beth, and how much more fragrant the memories.

     These are the days when my farmer husband is busy getting his crops in the ground. From sun-up to sun-down, there seems never time enough to do it all. These, too, are the days when my brothers who are watermen are busy getting the peeler and crab pots built and into the water. Most often that big run of crabs will arrive the last week of May, according to the moon stage, and they must hurry to be ready. Even in the hurry, May has a splendor all its own to make one stop and look around—to drink in its beauty.

     As school children we had another pleasant May memory. Each year we looked forward to May Day. A day when it was a true holiday to be at school. To participate in the many field day activities; eat hot dogs, ice cream, and other goodies; to put on our costumes for the lovely pageant presented for the beautiful May Queen and her court. How we loved the dances, the skits and the music of May Day. As I became a teacher, what fun it was to help with making the events a reality. Writing the music, dances and skits – busy with costumes – and seeing the excitement building up in the children each day before that special day. Things are not as they were now, and perhaps, Beth, you will not know the joy of May Day, but how I wish you could.
May brings another very special day to us—Mother’s Day. I could not in line or rhyme express to you the kind of Mother God has blessed us with. She has been a wonder, devoted, Christian woman to her ten children and the many grandchildren and great grandchildren to follow. If there is a “Hall of Fame” for mothers, our Mother will be one of the first there. My prayer is that you, Dear Beth, May know her before she goes to her heavenly home. For home is in accord with her—none of us could ever think of home, without thinking first of Mother. She has kept the hearth fires blazing and the true meaning of love blazing in our hearts.

     I cannot pick your birth month, Beth, but if I could, I would pick the month of May.

© 2001 Florence Jenkins Muse. All rights reserved