Memories in May....

Gretchen from Living in Savannah, reminded me that today is May Day. I have wonderful memories of this day, and the people who made it special for us.

I had never really thought anything of "May Day", until we met Pete and Carol Plimpton. They were an older couple from the church we attended as kids. The were the kind of people that you wanted for grandparents. He was tall, white hair, kind eyes....could have been Santa's thinner, younger brother. He always had a smile and a hug for you. She was slight with short silver hair.....and I do mean silver, like the crayon! I was always intrigued by her hair. She wore it almost slicked back, but it suited her personality. Smart as a whip and so worldly.  The word I would use to describe her would be sassy. They lived in a gorgeous ranch home on a wooded lot at the end of their neighborhood. They had a basket that was hung on their door with candy for the neighborhood kids. There was a sign about taking one piece and leaving the rest for the others that hung above it.

I remember the first May Day that they knew us, they brought my sisters and I homemade May Day baskets. They were made of colored construction paper that was folded into a cone. At the top and bottom, they cut out fringe and glued it on. Inside was popcorn and jelly bellies....I remember this because I had never had jelly beans that tasted so good (I didn't know what jelly bellies were). Sometimes a coloring book would accompany the basket, or a balloon. I just remember what an impact that made on us as kids. These sweet people would take the time to make these gifts, and bring them to us. It was quite a lesson in giving, one that I will not forget.

As time went on, our family adopted them as surrogate grandparents. We even invited them to be in our "family portrait" for our church directory. Time went on and they had to move from their home, and enter an assisted living place. They thoroughly enjoyed it, and took full advantage of the services. They would write letters to let us know what was going on (as they were a few hours away), telling us how they enjoyed helping the "older folks" with crafting and such. They were in there 80's by now. I remember going to visit them and how proud they were, showing us around their new home. Carol gave me 5 "Far Side" books, which I still have, because she remembered that I liked that comic. Not long after, Pete succomed to cancer and Carol was left on her own. She lived there for a while, and then began traveling. She would go between her kids homes in the lower 48 states, to her daughter in Alaska. She was still traveling alone in her 90's, back and forth. She kept in touch, writing letters and sending "warm fuzzies", her words for hugs. When she passed away, she left behind a legacy of caring and giving and proof that age is only a number. She loved life, embraced it and lived it every day. My life was blessed a thousandfold, knowing these people.

So, in memory of my wonderful Pete and Carol, I wish you all a very happy May Day!