Columbus Day - grace grits and gardening

In Fourteen Hundred Ninety-Two, Columbus sailed the ocean blue. And not that long ago, I worked at State Bank and Trust. During my tenure at State Bank and Trust, Columbus Day was one of my absolute favorite holidays. Not because of my overwhelming love for the man (although he could rock a hat), but because it was the only bank holiday when my kids still attended school.

I think Columbus would have appreciated education. After all, he was an explorer with an incredible thirst for knowledge.

That one Monday in October carried extra special meaning to me. It represented An Entire Day To Myself.

Lordy.

I was gleeful.

It was the best day of the year.

Busy moms understand.

I showered and dressed at my regular pre-crack-of-dawn-time, dropped the kids off as though it was a normal eight-to-five day, then headed straight to Starbucks for my first Gingerbread Latte of the season.

I sat in the stillness of Barnes and Noble surrounded by books and read the newspaper cover to cover until Toys R Us opened. With the bulk of my Christmas shopping completed at a leisurely pace, I reveled in an entire afternoon of gardening.

Columbus Day was my special secret.

Can you imagine what it must have been like to load up on a ship and set sail for parts unknown? Thank God for brave souls who laid the groundwork for my easy, comfortable life.

I suppose today we can compare Columbus to space explorers or cavers who descend into black, bottomless abysses. But really, it’s completely different. Today we have information and technology and state of the art equipment. Columbus had trade winds and a compass.

I hope all my bank friends are doing something special today. Remember to reflect on Columbus today and think about how lucky we are to live in the New World.

Grace Grits and Gardening
Farm. Food. Garden. Life.

[tweetthis]Columbus Day and me. Reflecting on how lucky I am to live in the New World. #ColumbusDay[/tweetthis]