MORE OCTOBER IS…..

As someone who has always been curious and enjoys a slight adventure, I took a second glance at my online search for days in October designed as “National _____” (fill in the blank). I found four more that I could make a connection with.

*National German-American Day–this was a ‘no-brainer’ for me. On my dad’s side his great grandmother came to America in the mid 1850’s in search of a better life. She was 18 and unmarried. In letters written in German between her and her mother back in Germany, they exchanged the everyday kind of conversation most common to all of us. There were questions about how the planting was coming along….how was your harvest…do they plant potatoes in America? While those back and forths don’t bring a lot of excitement when reading, the one paragraph that will bring me to tears every time I read it is…”I know that I will never see you again in this lifetime dear daughter, but I know we will see each other in eternity”. 

*World Mental Health Day–September is designated as National Recovery Month. Mental health and its complexities used to be a ‘hush hush’ topic in our society. But, as more and more people open up about their struggles, and our healthcare professionals give proper recognition to the increase in mental health struggles, hope is on the horizon. I know that in my family I can now recognize that my mother struggled with depression and so did my oldest brother. Unfortunately, neither one sought proper help for their symptoms. I often tell people I could tell by the tone of my brother’s voice if he was feeling “up” or was “down in the dumps”. My mother’s depression took on bad headaches and a lot of resting on the couch. Also as an unfortunate circumstance, while they were struggling I was at a loss as to what to do…what to say … .and most often I fell into the trap of being resentful. That’s a habit I want to overcome as I meet and minister to individuals who struggle with challenges to good mental health.

National Stop Bullying Day–Looking back on my childhood, I honestly don’t believe I was ever bullied. If teasing counts, well, I was the target of unkind remarks in my elementary years and junior high. I needed glasses by the time I was in 5th grade so I was called “Four Eyes”. Late to develop, sometimes I was pointed out as being “Flat Chested”. I had my fair share of snowballs thrown at me on my walks to junior high.

When I was in the first grade the neighbor boy David said something to me that I didn’t like so I beat him up in front of the other kids. To this day, if we see one another he reminds me of the incident. (He never bugged me again)

National Dessert Day–who in their right mind couldn’t get behind this one!? Goodness, it was sheer joy when we came home from school to find oatmeal cookies … .an apple pie or two…or a lemon pie…on the kitchen counter! How wonderful to know that while we were away at school our mom was cooking up something tremendous! Going to our grandmother’s home meant several pies lined up on the washer & dryer….cookies in the jar….a banana cake if we hit pay dirt (and to this day no one can duplicate her recipe)

I don’t know who thinks up these ‘national days’ but I give them credit for creativity, clever minds, concerned hearts, along with bringing awareness to each.

So, while I still have on my reading glasses (I’m still “Four Eyes”) I think I’ll go look for a yummy treat to enjoy later in the afternoon.