The Merry Month of May

We have arrived in the month of May 2009. Another day, another month anticipated and now here. The month of may is typically filled with a myriad of celebrations including May Day, Cinco de Mayo, Mother's Day, Armed Forces Day and Memorial Day. There are websites that list of the observances scheduled to take place in May 2009. Some of the more noteworthy dates are National Missing Children's Day (May 25), Holocaust Remembrance Day (May 2), Peace Day (May 17) and Victoria Day (Canada - May 18). Of course, there are also Clean Up Your Room Day (May 10), Limerick Day (May 12) and Circus Day (May 19).

Aside from the official celebrations noted on various calendars, there are many other scheduled events during the month of May. Thousands of graduation ceremonies of all kinds typically take place in the month of May. These will include pre-school, kindergarten, junior high or middle school, high school, college and university graduations. Many high school juniors and seniors will participate in the annual prom during May. There will be field trips and field days, picnics and banquets, sporting events and kite flying during the merry month of May. Yes, there is even a day set aside as Kite Day.

In the world of sports, there are at least two major events that take place each year during the month of May. First, the annual running of the Kentucky Derby will take place at Churchill Downs on the first Saturday in May, which happens to be tomorrow. Friesan Fire is the early favorite to win the race. For many years, the Indianapolis 500 race was run on Memorial Day, May 30. When Memorial Day became one of the "Monday holidays", the race would then be run on the same Monday as Memorial Day was observed. The race is now held on the Sunday of Memorial Day weekend or the day prior to Memorial Day being observed.

Here in Minnesota during the month of May, there are opportunities to make a difference in the lives of other people. On Sunday, May 10 is the Susan G. Komen Twin Cities Race for the Cure. Walkers, runners and volunteers participate in this event to raise money to assist in the fight against breast cancer. The following Sunday, May 17, is the Minnesota AIDS Walk sponsored by the ING with the proceeds to benefit the Minnesota AIDS Project. Now more than ever, we need to raise the awareness of HIV infections in Minnesota. HIV cases among young males and females, ages 13 to 34, have more than doubled since 2001. The number of new HIV infections in Minnesota has risen for the last three years, from 2006 through 2008.

One last thing - since "April showers bring May flowers", don't forget to take some time to enjoy the beauty of springtime and to enjoy the flowers along the way. Consider the following words from one of my favorite spiritual hymns, "This Is My Father's World". Happy May!

This is my Father's world, the birds their carols raise,

the morning light, the lily white, declare their maker's praise.

This is my Father's world: he shines in all that's fair;

in the rustling grass I hear him pass; he speaks to me everywhere.

______

~ DB Turnmire