I love May.

Spring has always been my favorite season, albeit I have suddenly developed a pollen allergy. Isn’t Zyrtec a wonderful product? I love the renewal of nature. I love the moderate temperatures. I love the fresh smells of cut grass and flowers.

Right now my neighborhood is a symphony of pink and green. My street is lined with crab apple and ash trees, both of which are blossoming. The crab apples are full of pink flowers. They only last a few weeks tops, so I try to walk by them every day, inhaling their fragrance and marveling at the color. The petals stick to my shoes and Dr. Carter’s fur. He’s not nearly as enamored of them as I am. But my little corner of the world is beautiful.

May also means graduation. That is bittersweet for me. I love my students. (Well, most of them.) And though I know they’re moving on to life, it’s always hard for me to let them go.

Teaching isn’t a popularity contest. I always tell the kids I don’t care if they like me so long as they learn. But when the time comes for them to ask a teacher to hand them their diplomas, I am always tickled by the kids who ask me. They make me feel valuable, like I’ve impacted their futures. It’s heart warming.

This year, I should be handing out twenty diplomas as I sniff back tears, whisper how proud I am of them, and hug each one. I’ll make the rounds of open houses, eat way too much cake, and settle down for a summer I hope includes finishing the three manuscripts I’m juggling.

Yes, I love May.