April 1st, 2021
"APRIL FOOL'S!!" is overheard by many today.
Everyone is familiar with the scene. On one side, stands the prankster filled with prideful, enthusiastic joy simply delighting at the result of their well designed plot. On the other, the poor sucker, that fell for said prank, grappling with the shock of realization. Casually laughing with relief and horror, as the sickening reality of their own ignorance and inadequacy is exposed in broad daylight.
An interesting subject matter that I wanted to expand on today from a historical, societal and individual perspective. For me personally, this day is burned in my memory forever. It's significance in my meandering exsistance that I feel the need to share.
First up: Historical Perspective & Societal Perspective
So what is April Fool's day?
I googled it & the first result was this:
April Fool's Day: Origins, Meaning & Hoaxes (https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.history.com/.amp/topics/holidays/april-fools-day)
Interesting stuff right??
History is a subject I enjoy immensely. Mainly because of the patterns that seem to echo through time. This article doesn't go into the history of the calendar switching from the Roman to the Gregorian. Here is another article that goes more in depth along with a snippet:
On New Year’s, our calendar’s crazy history, and the switch that changed Washington’s birthday
The story of human beings in one example exposed for the world to see. That's one brilliant epic April Fool's joke that played out beautifully, right!?!?
A group of people built a new society. A society far more brilliant than previous societies, built infallible systems with their vast knowledge. Over time, with no adjustment or open discussion, a blind eye could not be turned because it's flaws were to visible and in your face to ignore.
*For those interested, the measurements of time is an interesting study. Here's a link for additional information but that's a rabbit trail for another free write session.
A Brief History of the Calendar and Timekeeping
Speaking of time, let's give our ancestors a round of applause for creating a holiday that forever commemorates a time when society decided as a whole to value their security over having actual knowledge accessable to any individual. What an important concept: freedom of information. This concept is important to any society, so that we can hold each other accountable to facts. April Fool's Day: Kinda like a wink from the past that whispers "Remember"..... Well played ancestors.... Well played....
Claps
But I digress.....
I guess my point is this is why I am so thankful for this platform. While, on one hand, my biggest fear is being judged on my ignorance and cast out of a community for being a straight up weirdo that doesn't fit in any box.... On the other, I'm beyond thankful I can share my thoughts and things I've stumbled across. No matter how wrong or insignificant something I post may be, there is something both you and I can learn from expressing ourselves.
We live in a time that has introduced new factors such as technology and communication. It's a growing pain of a new era and as we navigate new waters to build new systems, open communication is key. Platforms like this allow free discussion in a world that is being built into something new. We are all part of a whole and any contribution, no matter how much you disagree, is a part of the new society we are building. I encourage everyone to find what gives their life meaning and to pursue it. I can't tell you what tomorrow brings or what the future holds.... but I can tell you one thing. Whether we are on track to solving world hunger and achieving world peace, or if we are cruising toward the cataclysm of all time with disaster after disaster.... As long as you find meaning and something you believe in working towards, you can bear anything that comes.
Second up: My personal experience with April Fool's day
Throughout my life, April Fool's day was a day to pull some fast ones. Of course, that depended on me remembering (really the key component) and if I felt so inclined.
One such year was 2010. I was pregnant with my first son who was due mid April. Of course I pranked my mom to say I had him early to only shout "April Fool's!" before she began to make the long trip to see me.
Everything changed in 2012 though. I found myself pregnant with my second son, due 3/31 of that year. However, I knew he would come on the 3rd of April. Why? Well..... Because:
A. I knew everything
B. I was born on the 9th of a month and my siblings birthdays were on the 19th and 29th of their respective months. Being the youngest, I had 3 nephews. One born on the 6th and a set of twins born on the 16th of their respective months. My oldest came on the 13th. So it makes sense my youngest would come on the 3rd, right? It's like Tesla 3-6-9 magic universe stuff.
But... alas....As the saying goes....
"Man plans while the universe laughs"
So my beautiful son broke the generational pattern and came into the world declaring proudly "APRIL FOOL'S!".
Both of my boys are my world and I wouldn't be here if it wasn't for their existence. A gift given to me with a carelessness that I find appalling because I don't deserve such a gift.
Now when I say, I would not be here today if it wasn't for them, I mean that literally. Fast forward years down the line, the girl who knew everything and built a security net that could not be breached, found again how wrong she was.
I was in a marriage I thought was unbreakable, to find out it was, in fact, easily shattered. On top of that, I also found myself unemployed.
After years of building a secure career that provided solid security at least financially, I watched that sure bet crumble as well. There I was, in aerospace manufacturing when production ground to a halt. Air travel was being grounded because of a declared global pandemic. I watched paralyzed watching the disaster unfold like I was witnessing a slow motion like a car accident.
It's been a long hard road but those two boys kept me going. During my darkest times, I would think back to how I KNEW my youngest would be born on the 3rd....only to have circumstances give me an April Fool's moment. And I realized that in the unplanned turn of events, I actually was given something far more beautiful than anything I could of planned.
Yes, I am a single mom of two who has gone from a salaried prestigious position to scraping in a low hourly wage to make ends meet. I juggle bills trying to avoid having my lights cut off. But honestly, I think I've been given an opportunity. After all, here I am right?
I think back to that married career woman who knew everything. And I realize, someone who fit the definition of having everything in the eyes of others, actually had nothing. Happiness, adventure and opportunity that I craved was not a part of that paradigm.
I then look at myself now. A woman who admittedly knows nothing with nothing left to lose. And the April Fool's of it all? It's beautiful. It's the opportunity to build something new. I can create the adventure of my life instead of living the script of what others think the story should be.
So to those who are reading this, remember that in the dark you find what shines. Sometimes the moments that blind-side you and change everything are the best thing for you. Enjoy the rollercoaster and let the ride take you where you are meant to go. There's a poem I like that puts it eloquently:
So until next time....
APRIL FOOL'S!
-Xtina