May Day offers a reminder of the power of kindness

The May basket tradition began in the 1800s when people marked May 1st by hanging baskets of flowers or sweets on neighbors’ doorknobs, knocking on the door, and running, hoping not to be discovered.

May Day was a big deal when I was a kid with four sisters. We decided what unique May Day baskets to create and wrote a friend’s name on each basket. (We wanted the right person in the family to know it was theirs) We worked on them for days. On May 1st, Mother parked down the street from each friend’s house, and we crept to the front entrance, set the May Basket down, knocked, and ran fast. I don’t know why we ran because if we got caught, we got kissed. The thought of it made us giggle. We also didn’t put our names on the baskets, so we were secret admirers.

Then we got older, married a charming prince, and May Day became a fantasy like Santa Claus, the Easter Bunny, and the Tooth Fairy—until last year. On May 1st, 2023, my doorbell rang, and when I answered it, nobody was there. I looked around, and on the step was a tiny basket decorated in spring colors and filled with candy. I had tears. It was the sweetest thing. Ever.

I hope everyone who offers kindness to others understands the power of their actions. If we smile, say, “Good Morning,” give a hug, or simply look someone in the eye, I wonder if we understand the impact. We probably don’t, but hopefully we do it anyway.

It’s a two-way street; I give, and you give, and we don’t know if it matters, but we do it anyway because we’re good humans. I’m not talking about hard labor or money. I’m talking about authentically reaching out with compassion and thoughtfulness.

We can do our jobs, complete our obligations, show up on time, and give the last 10%, but good people show up when they don’t have to. Kindness lifts those who are down and gives hope to those who feel inadequate.

We don’t need a degree or a certificate. We can build self-esteem just by being present and paying attention. What does a smile cost? What does it take to close your lips and listen? What do you lose by saying, “I get it—I hear you—I’m sorry?”

Little acts of kindness, such as anonymous May Baskets, are powerful and rich. By giving, we don’t lose; both parties gain.

It was and is a fun tradition! It’s an activity where the giver and receiver feel the love, even without catching and kissing.

Give it a try and grow some two-way smiles.

Until the next time: Live while you live.

Jennifer Goble, Ph.D., LPC, is the author of “My Clients…My Teachers,” and the blogger and writer of Rural Women Stories: www.ruralwomenstories.com.