April 2, 2014

Today we celebrate:

National Peanut Butter And Jelly Day – Celebrating a basic staple for children's lunches. There was a time when peanut butter and mint jelly sandwiches were all my daughters would eat in sandwich form.

International Children's Book Day – Sponsored by the International Board On Books For Young People, this day is celebrated with writing contests and author events. Today was chosen for this particular celebration because it is Hans Christian Andersen's birthday. http://childrensbooks.about.com/od/childrensbooks101/f/book_day.htm

World Autism Awareness Day – This is a day to raise awareness of the increasing prevalence of autism. Autism organizations have been celebrating this day for 7 years with fundraising for research and treatments as well as awareness events. Autism affects so many more families today than it did when I was a kid, we HAVE to figure out what is causing it.  When I was younger autism struck 1 out of 250 children.  Now, I just heard on the radio a couple of days ago, it affects 1 out of 68.  Yes, that is 68, no longer the 1 out of 88 that we have been hearing about for a while now.  This is important, people, we have to figure out what is causing this because if we don’t, there will soon be more children with autism than there are children without it.

National Love Your Produce Manager Day – I think most of us could use more fresh produce in our diets. A great produce manager is vital if you want your grocery store to stock the best and freshest produce possible.

National Day Of Hope – Celebrated on the first Wednesday in April, this is a day to remember children who have been victims of child abuse and neglect.

National Ferret Day - Celebrated in the United Kingdom as well as the United States, and maybe other countries as well, this is a day to appreciate ferrets and to teach the public all about how to take care of them and be a responsible ferret owner.  They aren’t quite like cats and dogs although some people get ferrets thinking that they are and then they don’t know what to do with them.

Whole Grain Sampling Day – Celebrated on the first Wednesday in April and sponsored by the Whole Grain Council, the goal here is to have numerous opportunities, at numerous locations, all day long, for people to try different whole grains they may have never tried before. Experiment and see what is out there that you can add to your diet. http://wholegrainscouncil.org/get-involved/whole-grain-sampling-day

Reconciliation Day – Begun by Ann Landers, the late advice columnist, today is a day for mending relationships. Take the first step and reach out in friendship. You never know where that might take you. There is also a Reconciliation Day celebrated today in South Africa but it is a day to celebrate the end of the violence that happened between the black and white communities during Apartheid.

National Walking Day – Also celebrated on the first Wednesday in April, this is a day to lace up your shoes and step out.  It’s good exercise and very environmentally friendly. What more could you ask for?  Oh yeah, it’s also great for your heart and is sponsored by the American Heart Association.  http://www.startwalkingnow.org/about_start_walking_day.jsp

To celebrate today, walk to your favorite grocery store, reconcile your differences with the produce manager and share a peanut butter and jelly sandwich on whole grain bread with him/her.  Then, offer a prayer for children who have been victimized child abuse before you invite some families of autistic children with ferrets over for a Children’s book swap party.

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