May Day.

I awoke today, like I do most days, with certain plans for the day.

Get the house in better order. Shampoo those darn steps again. Start getting ready for our trip.

I hadn't even been awake two hours when my friend Holly and I decided we'd meet for coffee while M was away at kindergarten.

H and I ventured out for an early morning cup of java with dear friends.

The babies sat, not so quietly, looking at the people coming in and out, enjoying a day to be out.
Later we arrived at school to pick M up.

As she walked towards me after kindergarten, she said. "It's May Day, what will we do to celebrate?" Hmm. Why is it that those little holidays seem to sneak up on you when you least expect it?

So we drove to her mom's house to leave a May Day basket she made at school. She jumped out of the car, ran to the door, rang the bell and ran back to the car.

Giggling a giggle that only she can do to melt my heart.

The plans I'd started the day with no longer mattered after hearing that giggle and knowing that today is special because it is May Day and this girl plans to celebrate every ounce.

We drove around the block and came back to the house to see if the basket had been picked up.

Nope. She ran to the door again and rang the bell, giggling and sprinting back to the car.

Again we circled the neighborhood. I've never felt more like a stalker.

Finally the basket was received.

We drove home and she told me about her big plans to make May Day cards and treats for all our neighbors.

She worked hard creating, writing and drawing. Adding pieces of candy. If only each person who received these cards knew just how much love was poured into these cards.

And she was off. Running house to house. Ringing doorbells and knocking on doors. Delivering her beautiful day brighteners stuffed in a Victoria's Secret shopping bag. Later she invited friends over for a May Day party.
When T got home, he joined in the fun right away, happy and eager to be outside and with his friends.

At one point there were ten other kids running around with M and T.

Laughing. Running. Drawing.

For just a moment I thought that I'd wished I'd brought my camera out. Then quickly realized it wouldn't be quite the moment it is with a camera shoved in my hands.

When I first had gone outside I was thinking of my ever growing to-do lists. The mess of school papers on the kitchen counter. The homework M still had to do. Dinner marinading in the fridge.
As I stood outside watching and listening to their fun, I realized this is way more important than anything else I could be doing.