May Day can still have meaning in today's world

Whatever happened to May Day?

We vaguely remember receiving May baskets on the doorstep, left there anonymously. If we saw the person who delivered it, we were supposed to chase them or kiss them -- can't remember exactly which.

A few years ago, a teacher recreated a Maypole dance in Norris Park, but we haven't noticed much emphasis on May Day in recent years.

May Day originated in pre-Christian times as a celebration of Floralia, the Roman goddess of flowers, April 27 during the Roman Republic era, in the Germanic countries as well as the Gaelic Beltane, halfway between the Spring Equinox and Summer Solstice.

May Day and other pagan holidays were later Christianized, with recognition of St. Joseph the Worker and the Virgin Mary on May 1 or throughout the month.

Perhaps May Day wasn't politically correct during the Cold War years, since it was a celebrated by communists as International Workers Day. That actually had American roots, selected on that day to commemorate the Chicago Haymarket labor riot of 1886.

Most other countries, especially in the Northern Hemisphere, have May Day celebrations of one type or another, but all of them mark the passage of cold weather and arrival of more pleasant spring temperatures -- if only torrid summertime wasn't next in line.

But it's great to get back outside, get to work on those summer projects, make our homes more beautiful and even grow fresh fruits and vegetables in our gardens.

We see the community gardens are being organized for the year, and it won't be long until the farmers market is open for business once again.

With a little planning, and cooperation from the weather, we should be able to enjoy May Day all summer.