Blog

Parent’s Day

There, in Korea

We celebrate our parents

Thankful carnations


From today’s Google’s Doodle: “Instead of devoting one special day to mothers and another to fathers, South Korea champions both on Parents’ Day, celebrated every year on May 8.

The holiday was first introduced in the 1930s as Mother’s Day, and it emphasized the importance of honoring one’s parents. In 1956, Mother’s Day became an annual holiday. Fathers eventually joined the party; in 1973, May 8 became Parents’ Day.

Red carnations, a symbol of love and gratitude, figure prominently in Parents’ Day festivities. On this jubilant day, families play games in Seoul Square, while stores and street vendors sell baskets of colorful carnations and carnation-themed novelty gifts. Children show their respect by pinning the flower — or paper facsimiles — above their parents’ hearts.

Today’s Doodle rings in Parents’ Day with this playful illustration showing children hard at work, creating red carnation decorations for their beloved mom and dad.”

An Oregon Memory 

Today I’m remembering  

Dreamy winters night’s 

Near the coast of Oregon 

A steady rain falling

Drinking coffee with friends 

Jazz plays from a small radio 

Voices of friends faded 

Some returned to dust 

This time so many ago 

Many rains have washed away

The memory dusty not gone

Libraries 

Betwix books & sunbeams 

Motes of dust glide like stars 

Drifting amongst dreams 

And the dreamers who dream

Spring’s Decadence 

Here’s spring’s decadence 

Glorious colors, riches; 

Wealth beyond measure 

Today in Edmonds 

Into the expanse 

Blue water, sky and mountains 

Converge in sunlight 

​Nature’s not mocked

​Nature’s not mocked

For she holds all the power 

We are but trifles 

Reflections on the day 

I’ve been thoughtful today. Yesterday a friend had a “small” stroke. He’s not much older than me, so there’s that sobering element. I’m thinking about the fragility of life, and similar things. And I’m grateful that “small” seems to be accurate. 

Greg is known by many as Papa Greg. Partly for his wisdom, partly because he holds love in the highest regard. It shows and he’s loved on return. Watching his Facebook feed fill with well-wishes truly was delightful. 

I try to live my life this way. To have love so central that it exudes from my being. 

It’s heartening, in the end. Especially as he’s chatting with us on Facebook again. 

Life moves and changes. It is the way of things.