Childhood Imaginations
February 2nd. Being a New Yorker and growing up on the border of Pennsylvania, I believed that the entire world stopped on this day in order to predict how much longer we would need to keep our shovels handy. I imagined that people’s from around the world really cared about the shadow of a selected groundhog, named Phil from Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania.
My childhood imaginations were once again proven wrong. An unexpected expansion of these childhood imaginations began to develop when our family embarked on an expat journey to France.
Expansion Begins
Weather predictions do happen to be a “thing” here in France, however. Just like in the States, various signs will cause people to predict the length of the winter and when we can look forward to having some warmer weather. Neighbors will regularly discuss their predictions as they
- observe the weather patterns,
- watch the sky, or
- take note of the bird migrations.
Left out of all their conversations is an obscure groundhog, named Phil. (Sorry, Phil. You just might need a better PR agent.)
And yet, they do add another flare to February 2nd that is unique and absolutely delicious!
Bringing Out the Crêpes
This date has another significance here in France besides just weather predictions. “La Chandeleur,” celebrated every February 2nd, is a holiday that goes all the way back to the 5th century. According to church tradition, on this day Jesus was presented at the temple in Jerusalem.
Because of this, the pope at the time proclaimed a procession through the streets, handing out a crêpe-like delicacy to the poor pilgrims.
Voila! La Chandeleur was born! Every February 2nd going forward was a day to be celebrated.
Imagine a day:
- to eat crêpes, laden with various toppings and fillings and
- to stand outside with the rest of your neighbors
- determining together just how long you will have to wait until those poppies begin to show their red petals proclaiming that spring has arrived!
Expanding Those Childhood Imaginations
Sometimes, it’s nice to have my childhood imaginations proven wrong.
A calorie-laden crêpe, along with the community of good-natured neighbors seems to place the shadow of Phil on the back burner of my mind.
Expanding the world of my mind is a good thing, I think.
Maybe I can worry about the expansion of my waistline another day?
Spring is coming!
But never fear, for I believe one thing might be consistent the world over –
the need to be given hope that Spring is imminent.
This current season of cold and seemingly endless precipitation will be over soon.
