May and all it holds...

I'm not likely to start a may-pole dance, and it's pouring rain, but it's a warm rain, and it smells like spring outside. 

There's a lot of "May" traditions, what with Mother's Day, Memorial Day, and the like. One old tradition that I'm glad my church is bringing back is the May Crowning of the statue of the Virgin Mary. This year, the children who will be receiving their First Communion and Confirmation will be given the honor of this simple and lovely celebration. I think that's really nice; their celebration of sacraments is this Thursday evening (the Bishop has a busy schedule, and the kids drew a week-night/school night this time around). While that makes sense in the larger scheme of things, it's really hard to get families together mid-week, so the May Crowning will be a joyous event for families to gather and to share. 

It's nice to have something to celebrate. 

This Tuesday is, for me and my family, the one year anniversary of my father's passing, and it's the fifth year since my mother passed away the day before Mother's Day in 2018. Those personal markers weigh a little heavily, and given how this week at work is shaping up (I wrote about that already), I'm truly hoping to get to Friday in one emotional piece. 

I should get out my little garden statue of Mary this week, too, and glue her hand back on (storage is rough on statuary). I should put her in with my rose bushes after I prune them; that seems like a good idea, on the symbolic and practical level. 

Happy May,

C