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.
Unfortunately, once again my childhood imaginations were proven wrong when our family embarked on an expat journey that took us to France.
Did you know that in fact, here in Europe there is never a mention of this furry rodent or his predictions for an early Spring?
But never fear, for I believe one thing might be consistent the world over –
the need to be given hope that Spring is imminent.
I can make it just a little bit longer.
Weather Prediction in France … and more!
And here in France, weather prediction does happen to be a “thing.” 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. On February 2nd, the French just happen to look to the skies to forecast their own predications, rather than to a groundhog named Phil.
(Sorry, Phil. You just might need a better PR agent.)
This date has another significance here in France besides just weather predictions. This day is called “La Chandeleur,” and is a holiday that goes all the way back to the 5th century. Church tradition stated that this date marked the day when 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! February 2nd 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 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. And 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!
