May

Elders

Many cite the goddess Maia’s role as overseer of fertility and plants as the origin for the name of the month of May. There is also strong opinion that the name derives from maiores, meaning elders. Some lay claim that May is dedicated to elders and June to juniores, or juniors! Personally, I vote for this latter connection as we NEED time set aside to remind ourselves as a society of the value of our elders, of how vital it is to talk to, listen, honor, include them, and to remember those who have gone before us. Certainly, the May practice in our country to remember our veterans’ sacrifices, extends to placing flowers at the gravesite of all our loved ones who have died.

Just the other day as I drove by a local parking lot, I witnessed an older gentleman speaking to a young man while both stood at their cars. What I saw touched my heart because of each of their postures and facial expressions. Even in the seconds only that I had as i drove by, what i could plainly see and marvel at was the elder listening intently to what appeared at least to be a forlorn youth with head bowed low. He was being listened TO and was LISTENING to what I can only imagine to be compassionate advice. For all that to come across as I drove by is remarkable. But I not only believe what I saw, I fervently wished for more of that to happen in our world! Our elders have so much wealth to share, and can receive doses of joy and enthusiasm from the young. But it takes valuing each other and believing that both have so much to offer. Putting aside a whole month to encourage and practice this sort of thing gets my vote!! May is for elders! I love the sound of that and trust that valuing our maiores can strengthen the lives of all of us!

Why not revive the May 1st practice of secretly hanging baskets of flowers or goodies on someone’s door this year? Choose the door of a neighbor who has been kind to you, or someone who has suffered loss or disappointment during this pandemic year, or the door of an ELDER you know could use a lift of spirits!

Another day to greet and be grateful for in this merry month of May is the 5th, Cinco de Mayo, which celebrates pride in Mexican heritage and includes the tradition of sharing a meal with loved ones who have died. It has echoes in Christian All Souls/All Saints day, and resembles our own country’s memorial Day practices. for those finding association with the dead morbid, I offer these wonderful words of Antoine de Saint-Exupery: "He who has gone, so we but cherish his memory, abides with us, more potent, nay, more present than the living man."

Camelot’s “lusty month of May” conjures up more of the free for all, exuberant mood this month can easily put us in as everything that perished in winter comes alive and blossoms at a speed that can overtake you! Even May’s full moon is the Flower Moon, and rightly so as tulips, flowering almond shrubs, magnolias, columbine and strawberry blossoms just about explode all at the same time and certainly speak to us of FULLNESS!

So…get “out there” and greet May with open arms flung wide!! May’s verbs would seem to be REMEMBER…HONOR…CELEBRATE! Here are some images, a song, and a recipe to help you do just that! For more ideas on how best to spiritually embrace the month, see my book, “A Seasoned Life,” the chapter on Spring.