We finally have sunshine. What a difference a little sun does for your soul. Your energy level goes up and you smile more, and you get to be outside.

Happy Birthday to all who celebrated their day this past week. Big balloons go out to Summer Cimeno, who celebrated May 18; Kayden Henry-Boyd, Jamison Knapp, May 19; Salomao Marcal, May 20; and to Olivia Soules who celebrates her day today May 24.

The lilacs are blooming, the lily of the valley is showing their white bell flowers and the irises are about to bloom. This means it is Memorial Day and the school children will be marching to the sea to pay their tribute to those we lost during war time. Most of my class would carry a bouquet of lilacs and lilies of the valley to put in the sea and the smell always brings me back to those memories.

Every day spring shows a little more. Here are some of the signs of spring: the high school just had senior prom, the J1 visa students are on the Island starting their various jobs, the tropicals are at the nurseries, it is foggy in the morning (and if you are in Edgartown the fog hangs on a lot longer than the other towns), the grass needs mowing, it takes longer to drive to work, it now gets dark after 8 p.m., more and more houses have their lights on, your favorite TV shows are having season finales, outside is warmer than the inside, the birds are singing at 4 a.m., town is starting to buzz, the stores and restaurants are open, and it is T-shirts during the day and sweatshirts at night.

It is Memorial Day weekend, and the island is already busy. I hope among all the activities you can take some time to remember those who sacrificed their life so that we can enjoy ours.

Have a great week and keep the home candles burning.