Serious and Funky March National Holidays
Lawyers are typically seen as some fairly serious people so I noted with interest a recent posting on Faceboook from a fellow elder law attorney in a Pennsylvania county to the north and west of us. The posting celebrated March as National Craft Month and displayed a photo of a client of the firm presenting an attractive quilt. This is not to imply, by the way, that crafting is not a serious business for many. It is just to demonstrate that life is more than law.
This posting inspired me to set to work to locate other national holidays of interest and, since we so rarely seem to have real fun these days, I thought the dates might give cause for readers to celebrate important events – or, as to some of the more unusual, to scratch their heads and ask “What is this?”
For some real causes for interest and celebration, here goes.
March, in addition to being National Craft Month, is also National Women’s History Month and National Social Workers Month. I would point out that some time ago I realized that, when my mother was born, women in the U.S. did not have the right to vote. The fact that this is a recent phenomenon along with changes in the work force placing women on a more even footing should not be lost on us and growth and progress is a real cause for celebration.
For National Social Workers Month I am reminded of my many clients who have benefited by the actions of caring social workers who assisted them in navigating the complicated systems before these clients came to us and while we are working with them. Also I think of the people who work side by side with us, the caseworker who works long hours, the government case workers who understand what we are doing when we put plans together for families, the social workers in nursing homes and personal care homes who deal with the multiple health, financial and emotional issues affecting their residents, and care managers. I know that not all of them fit the technical definition of social worker but they do fit the model of caring that I appreciate.
March is also National Peanut Month which allows me to celebrate my love for peanut butter. Is it really butter?
Moving to dates, March 20 marks the beginning of Spring. March 27 this year is Easter. Passover in 2016 runs from April 22 to April 30.
March 15, today, is the date made famous by the expression regarding Julius Caesar, “<b>eware the Ides of March.” Not auspicious.
March 17, of course, is Saint Patrick’s Day and no one needs to know the cause for celebration there.
We just missed March 14 which is National Potato Chip Day.
More seriously, March 29 is National Mom and Pop Business Day. Small business owners deserve credit and a break. Maybe if you are a small family business owner you could take some time in the day to celebrate then.
March 21 is National Credit Card Reduction Day. That would be a good day to take a look at finances and see what could be done to relieve the pressure of expensive credit card debt.
We missed March 3. It was “If Pets Had Thumbs Day.” I wonder about my dog, Mario.
Here comes one I would bet you would not expect. March 20 is National Extraterrestrial Abduction Day. Frankly I think New Mexico should put that one on the tourist calendar like Pennsylvania’s Punxatawny Phil. I am not sure whether it is to be celebrated by those who were abducted and have returned or by those who believe abductions have occurred.
March 18 is National Supreme Sacrifice Day to celebrate those who have made huge sacrifices for the good of others and those who sacrifice their lives every day for us. The most obvious recipients of gratitude on this day would be those who gave their lives in our Armed Forces.
Returning to the odd dates, I note that we end the month on March 31 with National Bunsen Burner Day (remember high school chemistry?) and National Clam on the Half Shell Day but for a serious lawyer March 22 might be my occasional favorite – National Goof Off Day.
About the Author Janet Colliton
Esquire, Colliton Law Associates, P.C. Janet Colliton has practiced law for over 38 years, 37 of them in Chester County, Pennsylvania, a suburb of Philadelphia. Her practice, Colliton Law Associates, PC, is limited to elder law, Medicaid, including advice, applications and appeals, and other benefits planning including Veterans benefits, life care and special needs planning, guardianships, retirement, and estate planning and administration.