May is a busy month in my family – three birthdays (formerly six), one anniversary, Mother’s Day, the first long weekend of the summer (Victoria Day) and Memorial Day long weekend for my American family and friends.
May is the month when the results of April showers are fragrantly and gloriously displayed. Grass is green, tree buds burst into leaves, flowers bloom, birds sing, and the days are warmer and longer. What’s not to like? (Note: I speak from a place which experiences four seasons quite distinctly; some of you may not be as fortunate)
Around the world, many people celebrate May Day. Here’s why: https://www.rd.com/culture/what-is-may-day/
Now that Spring is truly here, I can finally shake off the Winter ‘blahs’ (though today is cool and rainy, but the weekend is predicted to be lovely). Now I can relax a bit. Put away the heavy coats, scarves, gloves and boots. And start planning for the long hot days of summer.
May Day! May Day! May Day! is the international distress signal. Here’s a short history of its origins: https://www.wonderopolis.org/wonder/what-does-mayday-mean/. Note that it is repeated three times for clarity and confirmation, so there’s no mistaking what it is – a call for help.
And in my world and my life, I am calling out for help. The kind only God can offer.
May Day! Changes at Work
I work for a large well-established insurance company with a solid reputation. Change has, traditionally, come very slowly; however, within the past two years, the pace has increased dramatically. To the point where I am feeling like a tired dog paddling a long way from shore in a swiftly moving current.
I won’t bore you with the details; suffice it to say, I have no choice in the matter and am struggling to master new systems while continuing to keep up with the regular demands of my job. Yet I am managing because I remind myself that ‘I can do all things through him (Jesus) who strengthens me’, and it is a day by day process.
May Day! Health Challenges
For some reason, allergy season has hit me hard this year. It’s not the usual itchy eyes, runny nose and sneezing – yet. It’s stuffiness, laboured breathing, coughing and the odd headache. Combatting the symptoms with OTC medication helps, but gives me a bit of brain fog, so it’s a struggle.
Family members have had a few health issues recently and that’s a concern to me as well.
I am relying on Jehovah Rapha to do what only He can, and relying on doctors, medication and healthy lifestyle choices to do the rest. And taking life one day at a time, giving thanks for my many (!) blessings.
May Day! Home Issues
Last summer I had a small flood (not as serious as the one in 2017). I was so glad that there was no serious water damage and the floor looks perfect. But… a month after the flood, some of the floor boards began to creak and crackle. My insurer offered to do a partial replacement of the affected flooring – but – the manufacturer discontinued the flooring I have. I was told to wait through the winter to see if the problem would abate in the drier climate. But… it is getting worse and it’s bugging me more and more. So, I will reopen my insurance claim and get all my flooring replaced. Again.
The good news is I know what to expect and the process to follow. I am praying it won’t take 4 months this time. And for the Lord’s favour every step of the way.
Now that I have new laundry machines, once the new flooring is in, I hope and pray that I will have no more issues. That I will be able to enjoy living in my lovely condo, hopefully, until Jesus returns to take me home.
verawrites 
What beautiful photographs, Vera, wow! I love that style of architecture. I am a traditionalist.
May is usually not a very good time of year for me. This year all the troubles came early, in April, including our dog being diagnosed with cancer and trying to get him treatment that will put it into remission. My next door neighbor is causing me problems because she wants all the trees in my yard that are near her house cut down — returning our neighborhood to a desolate desert that it once was. We had one tree taken down and it cost $1500. I am so unhappy living next to someone like that.
Other than that, we have had better weather this spring — milder and wetter and for us that is a joy. I am sick of dry heat and it’s back now. Ah well. I look forward to November, lol.
I know what you mean about accelerating changes in the work place. I have noticed that too and am re-tooling myself to do something different and hopefully that pays better. More work is expected of all of us for less money and spare time these days. It is not what we were promised years back when technological advances were supposed to give us more leisure time. Not now!
And, for the first time in decades, we were hit with allergies. Something is very pollen-y this year. It hit me hard and I thought I might have the flu. Thankfully, it is past.
Lovely concept here for this post, Vera! You always do something entertaining and inspiring.
Hugs
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Sounds like you’ve had a rough go of it. Everyone is facing challenges – some we can work on and adapt to, others we have to find way to endure. Good luck with your beloved pet, with the nasty neighbour and riding out allergies and hot dry weather until cooler times prevail! We are having a cool wet start to summer – I don’t mind, as I am miserable in hot humid weather – but July and August may bring that too. Ah well, que sera sera. God is good so we keep trusting Him one day at a time.
Blessings to you 🙂
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