Catoctin Kids by Anita DiGregory
“March Madness”
I am pretty sure that “March Madness” means something different to some moms than it does to some dads. “In like a lion, out like a lamb,” March is generally that month when the plagues of winter—snow, frigid temperatures, endless sicknesses—start to recede.
With the melting snow, the reintroduction of the sun, and the kiddos temperatures starting to return to normal, we moms start to see the light (pun intended) at the end of the long, dark, cold, winter tunnel. We look for relief from the forced hibernation (which feels more like being under house arrest) that comes from all the illnesses spread back and forth on the family share plan!
This year was particularly hard for many. With a virulent flu being passed around, many of my family and friends experienced extensive sickouts and multiple trips to the doctor’s office and ER.
As a result of winter and its assorted plagues, it is about this time of the year that many experience a new, contagious fever: cabin fever. Cabin fever is real, alive, and one of the most prevalent causes of March Madness. For all those who were more than a little discouraged with the groundhog’s shadowy prediction, before you head back into hibernation or head up to Punxsutawney with torches, pitchforks, or protest signs, here are a few encouraging ideas.
- Look for the light. Literally! Daylight Savings Time is in sight! At 2:00 a.m. on March 11, we will “spring forward.” As a result, we will begin to see more light in the evening, a sure sign of spring!
- Continue an important journey. For many, the month of March is right smack dab in the middle of Lent. Although this season is a time of sacrifice and self-discipline (which includes prayer, fasting, and almsgiving), it is also a period of renewal and rejuvenation, culminating in the celebration of Easter and a closer, more intimate relationship with God. This time of reflection and preparation makes this path a true spiritual journey from darkness to light.
- Declutter your life. Both the season of spring and that of Lent are the perfect time to declutter. A popular challenge, “40 Bags in 40 Days,” encourages participants to break down areas of their home into more manageable chunks, collect unnecessary or non-used items, and bag them. Once collected, the bags can be disposed of, gifted, or donated to others in need. Some wonderful outlets for donation include: church thrift shops (such as St. Peter the Apostle Thrift Shop in Libertytown), animal shelters and rescues, Dress for Success (a program offering low-income women needed business attire for the workplace), homeless shelters, consignment shops, and used bookstores. The end result is both freeing and rewarding.
- Be inspired. March 10 marks the celebration of Harriet Tubman Day. A model of courage and heroism, Tubman, born a slave, was a humanitarian, American abolitionist, a spy for the U.S. Army, an Army scout, a women’s suffrage movement activist, and a “conductor” on the Underground Railroad. Nicknamed “Moses,” Tubman continually risked her life to lead countless slaves to freedom along the Underground Railroad. Marylanders can conveniently visit many sites, marking the history of this amazing woman. Only about ninety minutes from Baltimore, the Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad Visitor Center is easily accessible to guests. Here, visitors can learn more about Tubman and her remarkable life.
- Enjoy a new “spring” in your step. The 2018 Spring Equinox is March 20 at 12:15 p.m. Astronomically, this event marks the first day of spring in the Northern Hemisphere (see me do my happy dance!). Historically, this event usually sees a decrease in new flu cases. According to the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention), although the cases of the flu are generally seen throughout the year, “flu activity most commonly peaks in the United States between December and February.” (Happy dance reprisal!).
- Appreciate the circular…or at least consume it. March 14, otherwise known as 3.14, marks the celebration of Pi Day. Those of us who aren’t math enthusiasts can at least do our part in upholding the celebration by enjoying a slice…be it peach, apple, or pizza pie.
- Immerse yourself and the kiddos. With the National Education Association’s (NEA) Read Across America Day (weekday closest to March 2), Dr. Seuss’s birthday (March 2), and Tolkien Reading Day (March 25), all falling within the month of March, how can we not take some extra time for reading this month? According to the NEA, “motivating children to read is an important factor in student achievement and creating lifelong successful readers. Research has shown that children who are motivated and spend more time reading do better in school.” Experts recommend reading aloud to your children, as well as motivating them to read daily.
