This week I had the unusual opportunity to explain the American calendar year to a group of African refugees in the ESL class Amanda and I help with at church. Beginning with January, not that difficult, New Year's is everywhere, moving on to Valentine's Day, St. Patrick's Day, Easter... Try to explain how our holiest Holiday's most widely recognized representative is a giant rabbit who carries a basket with colored eggs to someone who's had only a few months experience with the English language. I didn't. I just gave them the information and figured they could iron it all out later.Now, after spending a nice Valentine's Day with Amanda, I think I may be a bit closer to understanding the point of all these random holidays. One thing about holidays is that they roll around whether you are in the mood for them or not. So, even if you've had a week full of little annoyances, and paper hearts and sweet words are not on your radar, V-day comes along to say, "Get off your butt and go buy her a present you big idiot! You're lucky to have her you know."
When I told my African friends that Valentine's Day was for love it made them happy. They seemed to get a charge out of the idea that we had a whole day dedicated to celebrating romantic love.
What's the point? We are forgetful. We need to be reminded that it is crucial to get out of our routine and eat chocolate, praise the Lord, be thankful, remember the sacrifices others have made for our benefit, make goofy April Fool's jokes... I know, eating chocolate is already an important part of your routine, that's fine. Really though... instead of being grumpy and feeling blue on holidays, I think if you just try not to blow it out of proportion and roll with it, these days can be just what we need to remind us to appreciate life. It's short.
That's Janvier in the photo. Thanks brother. He was a photographer in Congo.
1 comment:
You know what's weird? You were teaching him about the calendar and his name, Janvier, is french for January!
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