“Going-A-Maying” in Arizona

May Day has always been the first day of May and it is basically a celebration of spring and political protests. It is a neo-pagan festival, a saint’s feast day, and a day for organized labor (thankfully, it started the middle class’ movement to shorten the work day). In medieval England, people would celebrate the start of spring by going out to the country or woods, “going a-Maying,” to gather greenery and flowers. This was also known as “bringing in the May.” Another important part of this day is the Maypole. The pole is hung with greenery and ribbons, brightly painted, and otherwise decorated and served as a central point for festivities and dancing.

I will be “going a Maying” poolside today, gathering rag magazines, suntan lotion and wine coolers amongst a posse of my oldest and dearest friends. For the weekend, three of us drove the seven-hour trek from Southern California (an insane road trip I will not repeat unless we stay longer) to meet Suzette from Texas. Here we are in Scottsdale, Arizona basking in laughter and funny stories, far, far away from any to-do list. There is no place else I would rather “bring in the May” than with my comrades of twenty-seven years…going to movies, eating out, swimming, catching up and toasting life.

To sum up my May Day I will refer to Ralph Waldo Emerson who was spot-on when he said, “It is one of the blessings of old friends that you can afford to be stupid with them.”