Fact Check Friday: Meaningful May Day

Fun, flowers, friends, and family help highlight the start of a new season

I thought I’d take a break this week from the growing heaviness of the world to focus on one of the things that really makes life rich and full - friends who get really get you and help reframe the world in a way that’s more healthy and fulfilling.

May 1 is May Day - and depending on your preferred interpretation it is either a celebration of Worker’s Rights or a celebration of the beginning of Summer.

In today’s environment of everything-is-a-right-or-wrong-politically-charged-statement, May Day is a day to organize protests….

Or a day to preach at everyone about how they care about workers the wrong way….

My best memories of May Day involved picking fresh flowers and delivering them to people that we loved. Or had crushes on, as I remember a maybe 6-year-old version of myself building a bouquet of Lilacs to deliver to the fully grown woman who lived next door because she was nice, and pretty.

I was happy and surprised when that sort of energy dominated my May Day this year.

On Thursday morning, I got a call from the front desk at work telling me I had a visitor. When I walked up, I found Molly Williamson, the owner of Williamson Wildflowers with an incredibly bouquet of flowers for me. (Pro-Tip: You can find her on most Saturdays at the Reno County Farmer’s Market)

I was stunned, and didn’t put any of the pieces together until after I read the card. This might have been the 2nd time in my life that someone has sent flowers to me, so I was a little dense about it at first.

Once I got over my shock, I reveled in the beauty this brought to my new office, and spent a moment appreciating the kindness of my friends who conspired to make this happen.

Turns out they’ve had the thought for some time, after I shared with them a story from years past where, along with another group of friends, we decided that instead of flowers at work, men would appreciate a fresh pizza instead. The idea being that men get razzed for things like flowers, but a piping hot pizza filling up the workplace would fill other mens’ hearts with envy. It would be the ultimate public signal that someone loves you.

We laughed and laughed and thought it such a good idea that we filmed a short commercial to illustrate the idea. We attempted to sell this as a brilliant marketing idea to the country’s biggest pizza dealers, but their marketing departments didn’t respond to our very clever inquiries. I even secured a Copyright on the term “Manflower.”

After work, I rode my bike and made a stop at the K-State Research and Extension Master Gardener’s Demonstration Garden on the Hutchinson Community College Campus. I spent a few minutes appreciating all the volunteer work that goes into creating this little oasis of beauty, and found myself feeling really grateful to be working for an organization that helps do so much good in the community.

At home for the evening, I heard a rushed knock at my door. By the time I made my way to the front of the house, the little knockers were gone, but the evidence of their presence was remained.

Turns out my daughter and granddaughters had spend some time in the evening making their May Day rounds, dropping off potted plants for a few of the people they care about. I was happy to be a recipient, and smiled deeply in the knowing that these people I love so much enjoy sharing such joy and love with others.

One doesn’t have to try to find something to be upset about - the strain and turmoil of the world will find you without any effort from you at all. Without effort to find something other than angst, it’s easy to see despair and hopelessness everywhere you look.

And in many cases, there’s good reason for concern. There’s cause to stand ready to defend our freedoms from the growing storm of those who fancy themselves absolute rulers, or who scream that only those who conform with the majority are worthy of liberty. In fact, liberty’s only real defense will come from legions of Americans who refuse to comply, which is baked into the American character. In these moments, I’m a strong believer that our patriotic duty is to comfort the afflicted and afflict the comfortable. We cannot shirk from this duty.

To do that well, though, we also require respite.

We require the moments of genuine human connection. We require acts of kindness that surprise us, and remind us of the enduring power of friendship, family, and community. We require acts that demonstrate how fiercely-wielded love can penetrate some of the most harrowing dangers that lie in front of us.

We are entering a season of growth. I hope you’ll take time to smell the air, feel the earth beneath your feet, bask in the sun’s warmth, soak in nature’s beauty, and embrace the laughter and love of those around you.