April Sweet April
April Fools Day
It’s not often that the first day of the month falls on my blog day, let alone April Fools. Historically, there is no reliable explanation for April Fools, so I have chosen the one I like best: “when nature itself fools people with unpredictable weather.” This is clearly the case where I live — the ice rain warning that never materialized, the mild temperature that still required mittens, and the promise of plus 18 for Friday. It may all be a joke, so we will wait and see.
April, however, is the season of hope, don’t you think? From April showers to May flowers. To spot the first buds or snowdrops, to hear the welcome sound of birds, and to feel the great joy of spotting one — it reminds us of the resilience required to survive another winter and the quiet celebration that comes with spring flowers and sunshine. In a way, April is a reminder of the importance of ikigai, as the world visibly awakens toward life again.
April Birthdays
For me, April is about my mother and other lovely people who celebrate their birthdays this month — my daughter-in-law, dear friends, and scattered cousins. I was thinking of my mother this morning and how she embodied the spirit of ikigai: an open mindset toward lifelong learning, a great desire for life, and an angle of view that always pointed toward beauty, hope, and generosity.
When Rowan and I drove to school along the canal, searching in vain for green on the bare branches, we got talking about mindsets and strawberries. At breakfast, I had mashed up some fresh strawberries with a little sugar and put them on toast, and he was surprised by how delicious it was. As we drove along, he asked where I got the idea. This led to a story about my mother’s culinary delights and her mindset and I told him the following story. Some of you know this story because I have written about it here on Mother’s Day, but today I want to tell it again as I basked in Rowan’s interest and delight on this first day of April.
Fresh Strawberries at Midnight
It was June and strawberry season. It was also the season when I was finishing up Grade Five and my new best friend, Peggy Jane, was finishing Grade Six. We were having our first sleepover at my house, and I was happy. Peggy and I were kindred spirits who explored the world through books and imagination, and here we were in my four-poster bed, surrounded by Vogue magazines that my New York aunt gave my mother each year at Christmas.
Mother considered my aunt a little frivolous for giving this magazine as an annual gift to a housewife in a small Nova Scotia town. I, on the other hand, loved it. My friend and I pored through the treasure trove of back pages, reading every word about boarding schools in Switzerland, France, and other parts of Europe that sounded absolutely perfect for us. (A side effect of being voracious readers.)
As the clock inched close to midnight, the two of us laughed and talked about the schools we would choose, the books we loved, and the diplomatic and literary careers we would one day have. We felt the ease of kinship and the simple joy that only two young, enthusiastic girls can share.
Our contentment was suddenly interrupted by the sound of my mother’s footsteps on the stairs. Peggy Jane looked at me, concerned, assuming my mother would be angry that we were still talking and laughing past midnight. To her surprise, my mother knocked on the door, opened it, and presented us with a beautiful white tray laden with small sandwiches made from homemade bread, filled with lightly mashed strawberries she had picked from the garden earlier that evening. There was a single rose in a crystal bowl on the tray, linen napkins, and a glass of milk for each of us.
“I thought you girls might be getting hungry,” she announced — and to my friend’s amazement, she placed the bed tray between us and went back downstairs.
I remember still how my heart was full of happiness and pride to have a mother so kind. Years later, I ran into my friend, who by then had a successful career and had travelled far and wide throughout the world. She reminded me about that night and told me it had become one of her most treasured memories — “the best example of kindness” she had ever experienced.
At the time, I didn’t really get it, that amazing act of thoughtfulness and kindness bestowed on us by my mother. Since then and especially today, as I told Rowan this story, I fully realized yet again what an extraordinary mother I was lucky enough to have. Consequently, I started April with a feeling of happiness deep in my bones as well as in my heart, and landed on kindness as the most important thing.
Aldous Huxley wrote the novel “Brave New World. Toward the end of his life an interviewer asked: “Dr. Huxley, perhaps more than anyone else alive, you have studied the great spiritual traditions of the world. What have you learned?” Huxley replied, “I think we could just be a bit kinder.”
NOTES
1:) I am one of the lucky ones whose mother lived fully to be 100 years, three months, and 13 days old. I am deeply grateful.
2:) It’s good to be home again and back to familiar and wonderful reasons to get up in the morning.
3:) May you enjoy all the special days this month. Truly, each day is a celebration for me as I cheer spring on, delighting in the bird choir and the glimpses of greenery and buds.
4:) All the photos are from the temperate climate of Vancouver, thanks to Rob. The duck is a female mallard, and I have more appreciation for the humble robin as I live longer.
5:) With great appreciation for your time and interest, I remain, with best wishes for you all, Trudy
Trudy I have tears in my eyes and heart tonight. What a precious memory of your mother and may I say that her kindness has passed on to you in a thousand ways. I am blessed to know you. Have a wonderful, joyous April filled with fresh strawberries, birds, shoots of greenery and a dandelion. I was delighted to see four of them blooming by my front door today. Spring is here and I rejoice.
Dearest Pat: Like Sabine wrote in her comment, your words said it all. I am regularly inspired by your observations and I appreciate you sharing them here. I hope you enjoyed a lovely weekend. As always, Trudy
What a wonderful comment from Patricia, there’s nothing left to be said:-) Maybe one thing: The story of your mother and your kind, loving way of being is a role model for me – may I (and the world) become a great deal kinder.
Thank you, Trudy:-)
Oh Sabine….you see who you are. Thank you for your constant kindness to me. May you continue to enjoy your life for a longtime. Warmly, Trudy
Oh yes! I believe that kindness could solve many of humanity’s problems. Thank you for the strawberry story. You were blessed with a superior mom. And she would be proud of the daughter you are. Happy Easter to you and yours. Regards, Terri.
Thank you dear Terry. I hope you had a warm and gentle Easter weekend. It was lovely to read your kind words. As always,Trudy
I do love your strawberry jam sandwich story Trudy 🙂 and I do think nature fools us with unpredictable weather, but we’re getting there, more sunshine, less snow, so I’m savouring it.
Thank you dear Janice. As always, I appreciate you taking the time to say hello. Big hugs. Warmly, Trudy
Thank youTrudy, for sharing your beautiful mother’s kindness. Even at my age I am learning how valuable kindness is, and how it is possible to share it even when things are difficult. It’s balm and blessing for the heart and soul.
🙏🪷🌷
Thank you dear Wendy. I find it a comfort to know that we are still able to give what we didn’t receive. Not necessarily easy but it offers freedom, don’t you think. Thanks for your wise words. Warmly, Trudy
Dear Trudy: greetings from Calgary, where April 1st was a sunny day and I was out with a friend, touring an area of Calgary, she had not been to before.
April 2nd, a different story about 12 hours of snowfall. A lovely view from indoors.
Love your strawberry story, never gets old. Gives me an idea, will try this on my homemade Easter bread aka Paska.
Happy Easter Trudy. 🐣
Hi dear Marilyn. I wonder if you did try a fresh strawberry sandwich. 😊 thank you for hour thoughtful note. You are always an inspiration. Warmly, Trudy
Dearest Trudy,
What a beautiful story – one that could be shared again and again, and still feel just as touching every time. I’ve always loved April since I was very young. Then it became especially dear to me because it’s the month I welcomed my son into the world. Soon it will be 37 years, and I still feel that same joy as his birthday approaches – just as I did while waiting for his arrival all those years ago.
Sending you love and hugs today and always.
What a lovely note dear Teresa. I appreciate your kind words. It is such a hopeful month to have a birthday. I love how you celebrate your son, your life, and each day. Sending so many good wishes for all that is needed. Warmly, Trudy
Hi Trudy; did try a strawberry sandwich on a slider bun. Thought the paska would not enhance the strawberry flavour. Was a delicious treat.💝