New Tech Boomers

Happy, Happy First of May…
So begins the poem that circulated among the matriarchs of our large Irish Catholic family. It came to fruition long before I was born & possibly foretold my arrival. My childhood memories of said poem, perhaps exaggerated, range from curiosity at a young age to outright indignity as a teenager.
Why did I need to reach a certain age to participate in the laughter that my mom, aunts and older cousins were so wholeheartedly enjoying?

The cards and phone calls sent and received on May 1st were proclaimed by “The Matriarchs” to celebrate just that, May Day. Somehow their excessive joy did not ring true to their explanations.

In many countries, May Day is synonymous with International Workers Day which celebrates the social and economic achievements of the labor movement.  As a holiday, it has ancient origins and it can be related to many customs that have survived into modern times.

May Day is a cross-quarter day, meaning that in the Northern Hemisphere (where it is celebrated) it falls approximately halfway between the spring equinox and the summer solstice.  It is a celebration of spring and has decidedly pagan roots. To allow May Day to become “Catholic” the pope proclaimed it the feast day of St. Joseph the Worker. At the Catholic grade school we attended, The Resurrection of Our Lord, there was a yearly May procession  and one lucky 8th grade girl was chosen to portray Mary.  Girls in the lower classes were dressed in gowns and were proclaimed angels. The procession circuited the school grounds and ended at a grotto on the property. Of course, there was the proper Mass to follow.  I remember the angel part but can’t recall who was chosen Mary when I reached the 8th grade although I’m sure it was important at the time!!

As a child I was forbidden from attaining the secret knowledge of the family tradition of May 1st but as I came of age I was admitted into the world of these crazy women and the true meaning of their celebration was finally revealed: Happy, Happy, 1st of May, outdoor —-ing starts today.

That’s all I can reveal in this post but rest assured the tradition lives on. My daughter has now been gifted with the poem, much to her chagrin, and I have lovingly shared it with a few close women friends who are aiding in the perpetuation of the tradition.  I eagerly anticipate the arrival of phone calls, e-mails ( a technologically advanced addition) and cards. Their arrival brings me great joy as well as the giving.

Stay tuned for Dreary, Dreary 1st of Oct….The saga continues.

Please enjoy the following video; appropriate venue for the 1st of May & one of my favorite artists.
Jeanne