As I thought about my topic for this month’s Classic
and Cozy, I kept coming back to the idea that we’re already to the end of
April, the fourth month of the year. This month has always been a favorite of
mine and can elicit a smile just thinking about it. (I know, that sounds silly,
but it’s true.) In my mind, April is a happy month.
No one knows for sure where the name of the month
originated, but some believe it came from the Latin word “aperire” meaning “to
open,” such as in the opening of so many flowers in spring.
The traditional birth flowers for April are the
sweet pea and daisy, and, yes, both of these flowers happen to be my favorite.
I call sweet peas “old fashioned” flowers. My mother used to have them running
up one of her side fences. The sweet fragrance filled the air during the summer
months. She’d let me go out to pick a bouquet to put in a vase in our house or
to take to some of the older ladies in the neighborhood. I don’t see many of
these plants today, but when I do, I think of Mom and her green thumb. The
other flower of the month is the daisy. I wasn’t married in April, but I used
daisies for my wedding. I just love the simplicity of the flower.
April is frequently the month that Christians
celebrate Easter, this year celebrated on April 21. As a child I remember always
getting a new pair of shoes and a hat to go with a new dress that Mom usually
made. We didn’t have much growing up, but Easter was always special to us. This year the day was cloudless and the temperature warm. After church my husband took me and two other ladies in the neighborhood on a boat ride. What a wonderful way to celebrate Easter!
Lots of other days in April are set aside for
special (and some not-so-special) days. The month starts off with April Fools’
Day on April 1 and ends on the remembrance of George Washington becoming our first
President on April 30. In between, there are days that many dread, such as tax
day on April 15, and some fun days such as National Grilled Cheese Day on April
12. In 1973 the first mobile phone call was made by Martin Cooper in New York
City. What would we do without our cell phones today?
April has many other days of celebration or
recognition, but to most of us it simply means that winter is ending and warmer
days are ahead. It actually is the “aperire,” the opening of something new and
exciting—a renewal. As a writer I am reminded this is a good time to renew my enthusiasm for writing. It's easy for long-time authors to burn out. If you find yourself lagging in enthusiasm, find a way to renew that interest. Maybe stepping away from your computer and enjoying other things for a little while will help. Enjoy your family. Read other authors. Relax. Do whatever it takes to renew yourself and your writing life.
Whatever April means to you, I hope you enjoy the last
few days of this month.
FRAN MCNABB lives on the Gulf Coast and loves the
warmer days of spring and summer so she can enjoy the beaches and water with
her husband and family. Using this setting (as well as a couple others) she has
published nine sweet romances, mostly dealing with characters trying to start
over with their lives. Check her out at www.FranMcNabb.com or at mcnabbf@bellsouth.net
Hi Fran--
ReplyDeleteSounds like your childhood Easters were very special. Thank you for the reminder to enjoy the simple times in our life. I also like thinking of April as a time for renewal.
Victoria--
Thanks for stopping by, Victoria. Yes, Mom made our holidays special in very simple ways. I tried to pass that onto my boys who now, I hope, are making their boys appreciate the simple things on holidays.
DeleteA lovely rebuttal to "April is the cruelest month". I, too, think of April as a time of renewal, time to get outside and just enjoy the feel of the air on our skin.
ReplyDeleteAhhh, April. And it opens in such a glaring way with "April Fool's Day". Yes, I prefer your interpretation of the month. Finally, things are beginning to look lush again. Love it!
ReplyDelete