Hello, April! I’ve been waiting for you for a while — 11 months to be exact. It’s always so nice to see you.
Four days in, and you’re looking good. Those daffodils are quite becoming on you, as are the tulips. And what’s that you’ve done with the temperature? Cranked it up a notch? Always nice to see.
OK, so you have your drawbacks. There are those things called April showers, and no one’s much of a fan of them. There are also those things called tax returns, which many of us will tackle in the weeks ahead. Again, no one’s much of a fan.
But what’s this about you being the cruelest month? Rain and taxes aside, I think not, April.
I happen to think you’re cool.
Heck, what’s not cool about April Fool’s Day, that occasion when folks plant grass gardens in their co-workers’ keyboards or place whoopee cushions on their swivel chairs? Right from the get go, April, you make clear to the calendar that you’re good for a laugh.
The cruelest month? Not a chance, not when you bring us Earth Day, and very often, Easter. November? It’s noted for being grey and drizzly, but not for baskets of chocolate.
And January? Noteworthy for all those over-the-top Christmas bills that come rolling in, but man, you bring us the start of the baseball season. On any given day, I’d much prefer to look at grand slams than Visa bills.
Yes, April, I happen to be quite fond of you. When it’s your turn at bat, I throw open the windows. I sweep off the deck. I ponder my hanging baskets.
My fingers tend to smell like dirt, and that always makes me happy.
What’s not to like?
When you take your place, I usually do something I haven’t done in ages: I sip a beer on a lawn chair. I may need a hoodie and a blanket on my knees, but I love it nonetheless.
Welcome back, April.
And by the way, have I told you how much I’m a fan of your name? It’s downright pretty, it seems to me, and has October beat hands down.
Yes, nice to see you, April dear. It’s always such a treat.
Nothing can measure up to. Unless, of course, it’s May.
