April Showers bring May flowers...

And how true it is. I have an early April birthday. When I was a child, that rhyme made me uncomfortable and maybe even a little cranky. I felt certain that a little girl with an "April Showers" birthday was synonymous with a stormy personality and overcast appearances. Since my sister had a "May Flowers" birthday and her childhood nickname was "Sunshine," I felt even more certain of the truth that April babies were not as good as May babies. Childishness comes in many forms. As a gardener today, with 2 May babies, I have fully embraced the cold, muddy, mucky and overcast Aprilness of the season. In fact, I more than embrace it, I bank on it. What farmer or gardener is not grateful for April showers when seeds are being sown, gardens tilled and greenery popping up everywhere preparing for the imminent growing season? In fact, I not only enjoy the weather, but I give myself permission to look like April too. When my kindhearted postal carrier came to the door yesterday to deliver a package she was not at all surprised to see toddler, baby, dog and mumma all covered in black goodness. On a gorgeous April day, you will be hard pressed to find my family looking anything other than muddy. I never was the child that could do her hair, put an outfit together or resemble a flower in way, shape or form. I have a woody, stocky stature that more closely resembles my herb garden than a delicate flower bed. Sure, I’d love to look and smell like a rose, but since that is not possible, I enjoy the sun tanned, rain soaked and wind burned appearance that is proof that I live in my yard. More importantly, I am utterly grateful to celebrate my birthday in a month when everyone is too busy getting their gardens in to take notice of it’s passing. Secretly, I will relish every soaking rain, every sunny day and all of the earthy goodness that April showers upon me and I will choose to believe that that is my real birthday celebration. As long as April continues to end the winter and usher in the growing season, I will be utterly grateful to be a woody, muddy, messy April baby.