The Magnificent Month of May

Spring is in full bloom. In our own community, new growth is appearing on our hedges, roses of all shades and varieties are blossoming, and daffodils and irises are bursting out of the ground. While there are occasional showers on the horizon, May is a month of sunshine and warmer temperatures, offering a prelude to summer. Soon, kids will be out of school, swimming pools will open, and shorts and flip flops will be everywhere. Family vacations, picnics, and all types of family fun will make an appearance. The summer nights almost become magical as routines change and a slower pace of life takes hold for a few short months.

At Great Life Senior Care, we look forward to opportunities to touch the lives of the amazing seniors in our communities and assist in making their lives more enjoyable and productive. The May Calendar offers some unique ways to show kindness and appreciation to others, celebrate with loved ones, make timely purchases at lower prices, and plan for the future. We will touch on five ideas in this month’s post.

Cinco de Mayo

According to History.com, Cinco de Mayo is widely celebrated in the United States with Mexican food, drinks, and events. It is not Mexican Independence Day as some believe. The day commemorates the Mexican army’s May 5th, 1862 victory over France at the Battle of Puebla during the Franco-Mexican War. Cinco de Mayo has evolved over the years in the US as a day to celebrate Mexican culture and heritage through festivals, foods, drinks, and parades. California has been celebrating Cinco de Mayo since 1863. It is not a federal holiday in the United States, but Congress did issue a proclamation calling on Americans to observe the day.

Mother’s Day

Mother’s Day is an important day to celebrate for mothers of all ages. It is through our mothers that our lives came to be, and our mothers deserve our love, attention, and respect. It only takes a few minutes to brighten their day, and it is the simple things that mean the most. A card, a phone call, homemade pictures from grandkids, a family meal, sharing of memories. For those who have lost their mothers, reach out to a special “mother” who has touched your life and extend your love and appreciation to them. You will be rewarded with smiles, maybe some tears, and a heartfelt thanks.

Memorial Day

This important day comes from a tradition following the Civil War called Decoration Day. It was a time when veterans would decorate the graves of fallen Civil War soldiers, which numbered more than 600,000. The first official National Decoration Day was held at Arlington Cemetery on May 30th, 1868. After World War I, where 116,000 gave their lives on foreign soil, the honor was expanded to recognize all veterans who died serving our country, and the tradition of wearing a red poppy became a symbol of honor, as did the reading of the poem in Flanders Field. Memorial Day was made a federal holiday in 1971 by an act of Congress. Millions of families attend Memorial Day Events in cities across America to honor those who gave their lives.

Shopping

Some of the best discounts and deals of the year are during the month of May. With Memorial Day Sales, prices are exceptional on many items. Here are a few of those. Retailers are rolling out great prices on seasonal athletic and casual clothing for summer wear. You will find significant discounts on major appliances, air conditioners, office furniture, and mattresses in May. In addition, seasonal fruits and vegetables are here! Looks for apricots, artichokes, asparagus, cherries, lettuce, mangoes, okra, pineapples, radishes, rhubarb, spring peas, strawberries, Swiss chard, and zucchini.

Planning

Now is the time to pull out your calendar and think about what you would like to do this summer into early fall. Taking note of special events now, birthdays, anniversaries, holidays, weddings, conferences, can help you maximize your gatherings and plan for those events ahead of time. You will have the benefit of knowing when your calendar is clear for vacationing, relaxation, or spontaneous travel with the comfort of knowing you are not missing important events.

As always, Great Life Senior Care is here to assist the seniors in our community. Please call (951) 679-9592 if we can help in any way. Senior Care is our business, as we offer a free assessment to help you plan care of your loved one. Not only do we have well-trained compassionate caregivers, but we have resources and ideas to help keep your loved one safe in their home while maximizing enjoyment and assisting with activities of daily living.

Anita White, Contributor, Great Life Senior Care