by Loreena Thiessen
The month of May is a turning point. A turning point is a moment that begins change. In May the chill winds of April are past. The last snow has fallen and melted. Everywhere grass is turning green and flowering trees are covered in pink and white blossoms. Bright yellow dandelions cheer neighborhoods wherever they are allowed.
It is the end of spring. Next comes summer. There are blue skies above, and warm breezes tickle your face and arms. You feel the wind in your hair as you bike into the sun; soon you’ll feel sand squishing between your toes.
May is important for another reason. It’s the month you celebrate your mother. Mothers have been honored and celebrated for a long time, long before Jesus was born. Early Christians celebrated Mother’s Day to honor Jesus’ mother, Mary. After World War 2 the second Sunday of May became the official day for everyone to celebrate their mothers. This year that Sunday is May 14.
Another important day in May is Victoria Day, the May long weekend. Victoria Day is the official birthday of Queen Victoria, the Queen of England at the time Canada first became a country in 1867. She was the ruling Queen of Canada until that date.
She had to agree to Canada becoming an official country with its own government. Before this, Canada was ruled by a governor appointed by England. Now Canada’s government is patterned after England’s. It is a government based on laws that gives the people we vote for the power to make new laws and make changes for our country as they are needed. It is a government that respects the rights and freedoms of its people. This holiday honours Queen Victoria.
The May long weekend marks the beginning of more good things to come: summer and warm days ahead; the end of school and holidays; camping and trips to the beach.
God knew that to honour your father and mother was so important that he made it one of the Ten Commandments. Read Exodus 20:12.
What will you do to honour and celebrate your mother this year?
Activity: make a picnic
Need: Unbreakable cups, plates, forks, knives and a basket to carry them in a thick blanket picnic food: buns, cheese, tomatoes, lettuce; fruit, like grapes, orange slices; crackers, cookies; lemonade, napkins. Don’t forget sunscreen.
1. Count how many people will eat. Pack one cup, plate, fork, knife for each.
2. Pack buns, cheese, tomatoes, lettuce, grapes, orange slices, crackers, cookies, crackers, lemonade, enough for each.
3. Choose where the picnic will be: indoors if there’s rain, backyard or park if sunny.
4. Bring flowers and a card you have drawn or painted for your mother.
5. Take a selfie to remember the picnic.
6. Play a game, like croquet, or read a book together.