I visited an after school program last week in Winchester. I said, "Earth Day is just around the corner...who can tell me what Earth Day is?" A little boy, maybe about 6 years old, raised his hand wildly.
"I know, I know! It's my brother's birthday, too! Earth Day is when the earth was born! It's the earth's BIRTHDAY!" I nodded my head, kind of agreeing, and I think I might have said something about that possibly being another kind of major event, but we moved on. I realized at that moment that Earth Day is a birthday of sorts...but it's one of those birthdays that gets little attention.
I'm celebrating a birthday this month and it's not anything special. It's not a milestone birthday into the teens or into an "0"...just another day. (I'm at the age where I'm trying to avoid cake, but would love to dance with some chocolate frosting should it come my way.)
So, why is it we seem to let Earth Day slide by us without much fanfare?
It's not like mothers (Mother Earth) don't appreciate a little recognition once in a while. (We can talk about this without bringing guilt into it). Mother Earth may have had a few birthdays, but it doesn't make her celebration any less important. On my drive home last night I noticed a ring around a pretty full moon. It was incredible. In that moment I paused to think how fortunate we are to have this good earth. I asked myself if I am a good steward of the earth and realized I can do more and I can do it, just like you probably are, on a daily basis. Every day should be Earth Day.
We'll be celebrating Earth Day at the Colonial Theater in Keene at 7:30 Tuesday, April 22nd with Vance Gilbert, Catie Curtis and Cliff Eberhardt. I hope to see you there!
