Happy May Day!

May was always the month of birthdays in my home…well except mine (in December). Our house seemed to come alive with activity, we all seemed to smile more.

Growing up in the Pacific Northwest there was something magical about May 1st. My mom would come home from work and we would go pick some flowers from our garden and make small little May Day bouquets. Then we would decide who we wanted to give them to. We always choose the neighbors next door, the elderly lady a few houses down, Grandma and my aunties. We would walk hand in hand around the neighborhood and then drop off the little paper wrapped flowers on their porch steps, ring the bell and then hid and watch them open to a surprise. It always brought me such joy watching how a simple gesture could bring a smile.

Today it’s a magical Pacific Northwest Day….The sun is out, I hear the birds, the neighbor mowing and just joy. People are out walking their dogs, bicycles everywhere. I will always believe that May 1st is a day of Joy.

So, as I awake on this May 1st, the question to myself is….What brings me simple joy? Is there enough moments in my life full of Joy?

The joy of seeing a student pic up their first completed project that turned out better then they hoped for. The joy of creating an environment that fosters community. Smiling when when I see the members of our community that have been coming to the art center each quarter. Yep, there is so much in my life that brings joy.

Thank you for all that bring joy to my life…I hope that I foster joy in yours.