Groundhog Day 2010 - The True Story

In England we have the advantage of celebrating Groundhog Day before any of those who are the only ones traditionally that celebrate the holiday - Americans and Canadians. Since day time has arrived here already, and because there are no groundhogs on this big island (I asked a British acquaintance and she had never even heard of such an animal), Alyas volunteered to play the role of groundhog and give his prediction on the continuance or fast resolution of winter.

We first studied the groundhog...what he looks like, what he eats, how he builds his den, and how he emerges from underground. Alyas was up for the task!

What we need to tell you, however, is that February 2nd is much more than the celebration of a silly groundhog; it is also the anniversary of my parents and Alyas' grandparents marriage. In fact, this year they are celebrating 30 years!

So, Alyas got all settled into his den and was patiently (can we use that adjective to describe anything a toddler does?) waiting for me to tell him when to come out.

"Come out Alyas! Let's see if you see your shadow! Hurry now, it's also Grandma and Grandpa's anniversary and we need to celebrate!"


At that news Alyas forgot all the training he had received. There was no graciously emerging from his den but rather a forceful and den-destructive bursting out from the den.


He was so excited to here about Grandma and Grandpa's anniversary he started jumping and yelling. He realized without their blessed union 30 years ago he wouldn't even exist today! What a reason for celebration!


You can see the love of life on his face...how happy he is that this day has come!


So, I bet you're wondering if our little groundhog saw his shadow. Well, from the what I can see out my front windows this morning...

...a gray, cloudy, drizzly day.
What we can conclude from all this then is that without the sun the groundhog couldn't see his shadow, and since there was no den to return to, AND since there was such a cause for celebration the groundhog couldn't retreat into the earth but has come out to declare... spring is coming soon and a very happy 30th anniversary to Grandma and Grandpa!

We love you Mom and Dad and wish we could be there with you to celebrate. You mean so much to us and we are all very thankful that God brought you together 30 years ago today!


Oh, yea and Happy Groundhog Day!