Happy Duck Days + Thankful Thursday
The Origin:
It has been a challenging March for me. I recall I was struggling and overwhelmed and I suspect give the time, it is highly likely we were in some type of lockdown or social distancing. I was also a month from my birthday and feeling like a failure on a number of the goals I had set out from myself that year.
I woke around 4:30 am to the sound of rain and I was unable to go back to sleep. I began adding our steps to a virtual walking challenge I was sure we were not going to finish before my birthday. I was completely surprised when I realized we had finished the walk the day before and got an email they were shipping us our first walking medal. The after that I journaled and watched the sunrise through the rain. It was a shift in my as if the rain was washing the sadness of the previous weeks away.
On my drive to walk to work I saw a group of ducks slashing in the puddles. I called Alex to share the cuteness of the ducks. At some point I said the phrase that shaped our holiday, "I'm a Happy Duck." On the drive home that day I saw more joyful ducks in the water (earning Alex another call about ducks). We decided to celebrated the good day with a walk looking for ducks, splashing in puddles, and being silly. Alex needed to go to the store and picked up yellow tulips and fresh berries as an added surprise. And that was the beginning for what is now Happy Duck Days.
How To Celebrate:
The celebrations have been simple but evolving each year. New traditions are added like this year on the eve of Happy Duck Days we read Tolkien because we learned March 25th is Tolkien Reading Day. Being thankful, finding joy, and anticipating spring is the heart of this holiday. Our common activities are the gifting of yellow tulips, outdoor walks, looking for ducks, and jumping in puddles (when possible is encouraged). The festive foods are often spring salads and berry desserts but special baked goods or meals that feel like spring are encouraged. I am planning to add Nova Scotia Hodgepodge to the recommended menu this year.
It is also the 30 days before my birthday so it has become a sort of celebratory countdown to finish any birthday challenges I have remaining. This year's goals needing to be finish are four mini spring adventures and the playing of five games for an alphabet board game challenge (remaining letters are E, N, O, V, Y, and Z).
Thankful Thursday:
On the first day of Happy Duck Days, I am thankful for...
- warm spring rain and the promise of spring flowers
- fresh cut flowers
- phones that allow me to connect with friends and family who are faraway
- fresh water
- berries
- the opportunity for a walk in the sun
- time to craft and make beautiful things
Comments