Irises by author

This month was likely named after the Roman goddess Maia, goddess of spring and fertility. I just learned today that this month is also dedicated to Mary in the Christian tradition. Likely many songs and rituals were grafted onto earlier Pagan traditions which was a common practice as Christianity replaced the Old Ways. Songs in praise of Mary began to be written early on and are soaringly beautiful, including one I heard on the radio this morning, Ave Maris Stella, Hail Mary Queen of the Sea. Even patriarchal systems must recognize the feminine principle in this spring season of giving birth.

I was thinking of the game I played as a child called ‘Mother May I’. The Mother stood on one side of the designated area while a line of children (I suspect this was probably more of girl’s game, like skipping rope, or hopscotch, or jacks) stood opposite her. You asked permission to come closer and closer to her until you tagged her and became the new Mother. You could take Baby Steps, a Giant Step, an Umbrella Twirl Step or a Banana Slide. “Mother, may I take a (name a number of one of the four kinds of steps)?” She’d answer “yes, you may” or “no, you may not,” and eventually, someone would reach her. The aim was to cheat and make the steps as big as possible and also to wiggle forward bit by bit without Mother noticing or she could send you back to the beginning. Mother had such power in that game! The tension of it all was the fun part.

I also learned this month that Mother’s Day was originally started as Mothers’ Day. (Thank you to my friend Bonnie Gintis.) A civil war mother, having lost her son, started it in recognition of standing for peace, not war. America is awfully good at reducing serious holidays to candy, flowers and cards. As a mother, I have nothing against receiving any of those items. But also consider it inappropriate to say, “Happy Mother’s Day” to all women for obvious reasons. It’s like saying, “Thank you for your service,” to all former servicemen and women who may not want to be thanked for losing limbs, minds, and friends in whatever war they fought. They get no candy, flowers or cards except for remembrance from relatives and friends on the graves of those who died.

Mother's Day art by 6 year-old- grandson Max, gifted to Grandma Judi photo by author.

Still, it is spring. Chilly as it has remained here in Northeast Ohio, greenery and flowers keep opening to the sun as we bend closer in our hemisphere. We have had only a few days of ‘no jacket weather’ to remind us of what is sure to come. One day soon I suspect we’ll all be complaining about how hot and dry it is as we are still alternating between some frosty nights and gray, wet days. May we all take time to appreciate the feminine principles of giving birth to, and nurturing, all life no matter your gender.

sign photo by author