The COVID-19 virus has rid us of one of U.S. citizens’ least favorite days. April 15 is normally tax filing deadline day and has been the cause of Post Office hours being later than usual to allow for many last-minute filers and also a day for households to stretch their budgets to meet the tax obligations.

Since that has been delayed until July 15 this year we can instead bring some May Day traditions into play. May Day? Is that really a thing? Well sure it is.

Like so many of our better-known customs or traditions, it likely has roots with our European ancestors. May Day in many places includes a May Day pole to dance around and decorate and May Day parades as well. May 1, of course, follows immediately on the heels of April.

April is famous for what? We know trout and golf opening days, but the governor took care of that. April showers bring May Flowers.

So May has a bountiful amount of fresh beautiful flowers from nature and the custom grew that young men would make secret deliveries of bouquets to the front door or porches of young maidens whom had caught their attention and had beauty comparable to the flowers of the garden. The flowers were to be left in secret and set a romantic tone for future romancing.

Fast forward to the world of today and a variation of this little custom. Long before some young men and women were of age for romancing, May Day was still an opportunity to show neighborly love and a slight bit of mischief. And with the social distancing rules being followed right now we can use this twist.

May Day has become an opportunity now referred to as Ding Dong Ditch. May Day is a great opportunity to play the game, but really any day will work. Early morning, before most neighbors are awake, young people (supervised by parents or adults) sneak up onto porches, place a bouquet, or a potted plant on the porch, ring the door bell (thus ding–dong) and run from view.

There is no note or credit for the gift but merely the pleasure of knowing you brightened someone’s day. Ditch? Oh, that is the act of escaping without the person catching you and being able to thank you.

Why do such a thing, or at least, not want the credit and praise? That comes back to why did you do it? For the accolades and appreciation? Maybe for a gift in return?

No, this is about teaching a lesson in charity. This is how you find a reward in a smile or if you see the flowers displayed in a special spot or special vase.

Everything has a justification or a return on investment placed on it today. Isn’t it nice to get something or give something just because…?

There is no better reason. You have less than two weeks to prepare for May Day. Make it special.