February perceptions

Shannon Bohrer

(2/2023) February is the shortest month of the year and contains three well known holidays, Ground Hog Day, President’s Day, and Valentine’s Day. Early in the month the ground hog, Punxsutawney Phil, predicts the weather. While Presidents Day celebrates all of our presidents, George Washington, and President Abraham Lincoln, who were both born in February are the ones most celebrated. Unlike the first two holidays, Valentine’s Day is a global holiday with incredibly old origins. Growing up I remember all three of these holidays, specifically Valentine’s Day because it was celebrated in grade school, with the exchange of cards with classmates.

Our thoughts on the shortest month of the year are varied and some of the variations are also interconnected and yet also distinctive. Many people think of February as the beginning of the end of winter, and others like to think it is a transition month, not winter but also not spring. It is common to have significant snow in February, and also mild spring like days. So, February can very often can fit into both winter and spring, and often does.

The prediction of February’s weather is related to Ground Hog Day. Of course, using a ground hog to determine the future weather, for the next six weeks, is neither logical nor scientific. Long range data shows that Punxsutawney Phil only being correct between 36 to 39 percent of the time. Punxsutawney Phil’s poor prediction rate is often belittled, but compared to the professionals, it is not that bad. On average, the 10-day weather forecast from professional meteorologists has an accuracy rate of 50 percent, and Punxsutawney Phil’s, for 42 days has an accuracy rate of 36 to 39 percent.

While Presidents Day is a celebration of all our presidents, we generally focus on two presidents, our first president, George Washington and our sixteenth president, Abraham Lincoln. The belief of many historians is that they are our most famous Presidents. General Washington defeated the British to help create our country and Abraham Lincoln defeated the Southern States Insurrectionist to save the nation that Washington helped create.

George Washington was reported to have said that he could not tell a lie, which means he might not be electable today. He also stepped down from the president’s office after just two terms, setting in motion a continuum of government not dependent upon one person, or party. President Washington set the bar high which is why he is held in high regard and rightfully so. I wonder what he would think of the country today.

President Abraham Lincoln is widely known for leading the country during the civil war, his Gettysburg address and freeing the slaves. Historians agree that he was integral in saving the union. His administration held the country together during the civil war, not an easy task. What we are as a nation today, has a direct relationship to his presidency. Lincoln, like Washington, possessed many admirable traits. One of his best known was his honesty. When Lincoln was a young man he walked miles – just to return a few pennies. "Honesty is the first chapter in the book of wisdom" Thomas Jefferson

Presidents Day is a time of reflection for not just their service, but their values, what they accomplished for our country and their contribution to our nation. When you reflect upon our past presidents, it is amazing how much they influenced our lives centuries later. It is also amazing how high they set the bar, and at times, how far we have strayed.

How many current politicians would say they cannot tell a lie, or would return any sum or money, for any reason? While we honor all of our presidents, the idea of not telling a lie or being honest, like Honest Abe, seems like an old history lesson. Even Punxsutawney Phil is honest, he might not be the best weather predictor, but there is no evidence that he lies.

February is the only month with a holiday that celebrates love. On the surface Valentine’s Day seems unique and not really connected to the other holidays. The day is unique in that is celebrated worldwide. The celebration is about expressing your love for others. What other holiday is known for a celebration of love? Candy, flowers, and cards with devotion of love, what’s not to like about it? Of course, given our humanitarian values that includes respect and love of others, one would expect the holiday to be popular. Maybe the idea of the expressing your love should be practiced all year. Treating everyone with respect and telling someone that they special should not be limited to one day a year.

The month of February offers wisdoms with the three holidays we celebrate. Ground Hog Day is more than just a weather event. As humans we often see ourselves as different, or on a higher level than animals. Yet as humans the animals, domestic and wild, enrich our lives. Many animals, especially our pets are connected to our mental wellbeing. Can you image life with no animals? As Will Rogers once said, "If there are no dogs in Heaven, then when I die, I want to go where they went."

We have Valentine’s Day as a reminder to express our love and caring for those around us. Love and caring for others are important emotions that enriches our lives and should be acknowledged more than one day each year. Just as our pets make our lives better, having friends, and sometimes family members, adds meaning to our lives. What would your life be without your significant other, your children, friends, and pets?

Then we have Presidents Day, a day to reflect on the individuals that have founded and guided our country. The impact and influence these leaders had on our country affects us to this day. The freedoms we enjoy, that we often take for granted, are a direct result of many of our founding and former Presidents. Events over the last several years is a lesson that our freedoms are not guaranteed, and Presidents Day - is a remined to pay attention. As President Lincoln said, "A house divided against itself cannot stand."

If you like animals, love your friends and family members, and enjoy living in a democracy, February is a reminder of all three.