I’m sure that most people would agree that there are certain times of the year that you think about more than other times. Whether it is the season, a person, a celebration or a memory that resurfaces, emotions are heightened. March is one of those times for me.
My first thought about March is the coming of spring. After a long winter, this time of year brings anticipation of warmer weather, green grass, flowers and rebirth in many forms. Hope fills the air.
A date ingrained in my memory, is March 9, 1955. I wasn’t around then, but this was the beginning of my parent’s love story. I heard many times over how they met in Norfolk, VA. The first song they danced to, the walk under a starlight night, the first kiss and a poem mom wrote after meeting dad. The rest is history.
I have a lot of friends who have birthdays in March. Some of these friends I have known since my elementary and high school days. Some I met later on in the years. All these friendships have added value to my life.
I travel back to March 1, 1993, our hearts danced with excitement over the birth of our first daughter. It was and still is, one of the greatest moments. A new baby, new parents and new beginnings. Life as we know it was changing in a big way.
Being of Irish descent, the 17th is an important date. St. Patrick’s Day is a day to remember our heritage. I enjoy wearing the green, the lucky shamrocks and believing in the Leprechaun and the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. I know this day is more than the celebration and folklore, but it’s good to have fun.
For those sports enthusiasts like myself, there is the March Madness. NCAA college basketball tournament for the whole month of March. I played basketball in my youth and our youngest daughter played through high school. Nonetheless, it’s exciting to watch and dabble in picking the brackets and the champion.
Since 2005, Daylight Savings Time started the second Sunday in March. The thought of extended daylight after five in the afternoon is a much welcomed and joyous occasion, especially in the north. The sunlight warms us, like the melting of snow. A sense of happy is all around.
I recall some Easters in March. Sometimes, there was snow and other times, the daffodils and tulips were in bloom. Either way, church service was there and maybe an egg hunt or two. As I got older, the family get together was at our house. This was our holiday. Many memories made with some that are no longer here.
Four years ago, one of the most life changing moments happened. It was Wednesday, March 8, the sun was shining and a cool wind was blowing. Mom left for her next journey and joined dad in heaven. I would never be the same and March took on another meaning in my world.
Regardless if it is March, there will be those moments that stay with us. Some good and beautiful, some sad and challenge the heart. You can’t help but reflect. The mind goes back and the heart follows. It always comes down to what you do with it. Lessons are never ending. Life is short and meant to be lived to the fullest, no matter what. Here’s to March.
