oh boys...

This past Saturday, while the rest of the country celebrated Cinco De Mayo with the yum-yum-yumminess of Mexican cuisine and fiesta, here in Hawaii we set aside a day for boys.  Just boys.   

And oh boy, oh boy do we have boys in this house. 

  So when we drove down the country highway that runs along the Pacific Ocean and circumvents this island we squealed with boyish delight when we saw these flying at a ranch along the way...

 

They are carp and, somewhere, they are swimming up stream against the strongest of currents and they are not giving up, not losing their sense of determination.  Their spirits remain unbroken.  

So, the symbol embraced by the Japanese who celebrate boys with their very own, very special day, serves as a reminder of the character one looks for in a boy who will one day grow up to be a slightly bigger boy man. 

That's one giant flag pole and that is the biggest, most beautiful string of wind socs-- ever.  That's what the boys in this little life of mine thought...  Someday, perhaps, they'll appreciate the symbolism a bit more. Perhaps.

But you don't have to be a boy to be encouraged by the banner of strength that these carp have become.

Whatever stream your life may take you up know that somewhere there is a carp swimming right along with ya against those very toughest of currents.  And if it's May 5th it's likely there is a very large carp, or two or six, filled to overflowing with sweet Hawaiian trade winds, relentlessly cheering you on.  Swim. 

Oh and could I just say it, just once?  I know it's not Japanese at all and has probably nothing to do with Boy's day, although... in a way...  Oh, I really shouldn't, but I must... so... 

carpe diem. 

Seize the Boys' Day and, swim on.

live sweet,

n

Aren't these Boys' Day treats just the sweetest?

Thanks Aunty Amy(and your oh so sweet girls too) for celebrating our boys.

Here's a link to some background on the traditional Japanese celebration.
http://www.ginkoya.com/pages/childrensday.html