National Backyard Day

National Backyard Day

March 19, 2021 is the first annual National Backyard Day. With all of the weird, obscure "days" out there it surprises me a little that this isn't already a thing, but it's not. Even weirder to me? This day was brain-stormed and sponsored by Zyrtec. My fellow allergy sufferers get the irony in that one, don't you? Regardless, it's a good day to have.

I didn't realize until researching it what it means for a company to "sponsor" a day. It's kind of cool. Zyrtec recognized the importance of backyard spaces everywhere & committed $50,000 to The Conversation Fund’s Parks with Purpose program. Those funds will support the program’s partnership with neighborhood residents to transform neglected green spaces into vibrant parks, community gardens and provide additional spaces for urban communities to enjoy what’s right in their own neighborhood.

Over the course of this last year people have re-familiarized themselves with their backyards and their homes in a way they probably hadn't ever done before. People that never gardened, grew plants for the first time. People that didn't have a clue about flowers, planted some. Can't go out to eat? BBQ and eat outside. With no trips to waterparks, people were rediscovering water guns, Slip & Slides, inflatable pools & sprinklers again. With life operating at an entirely different pace, we took more time to enjoy the sunsets, the sound of frogs, the hummingbirds, tossing a ball for our dogs...so many things. Not everything about the last year has been bad.

I love having a backyard. I've always loved having a backyard and I have often found myself feeling sorry for people that don't have one. Growing up, before the internet, we were always outside. We played, we learned, we did crafts & projects, we gardened, we had animals, we lit anthills on fire with magnifying glasses (sorry Ganna!), we watched stars, we caught bugs, we climbed trees, we rode our bikes, we threw steel tip lawn darts at each other (sorry Mom!) and we loved life. As I've watched my kids grow up doing many of those same things (minus the magnifying glasses & lawn darts), I'm grateful. I am grateful for those who gave the love of outside to me and for the ability to pass that onto the next generation.

Our backyard is definitely going to be different this year. Up until very recently we had a field full of all sorts of critters, but now we have a whole bunch of houses out there. It was really sad to see that go, but that's how life is. Things change and with that change, new chapters emerge. The yard full of little ones playing on the swings is gone for us, but it's been replaced by older kids and movie parties. I'm sure even without a field full of frogs serenading me at night and my unobstructed view of the beautiful sunset there will be new joys to be found in the backyard this summer.

I hope that whatever brings you joy and happiness outside, you've found a way to incorporate that into your life and your outdoor space. I hope once we go back to "normal" (whatever that is) that some things stay the same. I hope that using our backyards, the new skills we've learned (or old ones we've rediscovered) and the time spent with our families are the lessons we take with us.

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