May is a busy month! Full of holidays, commemorations, proclamations, awareness events, and Mexican food! Let’s start with Memorial Day, formally known as Decoration Day. This is a federal holiday observed yearly on the last Monday of May. This year, Memorial Day falls on Monday, May 31st, 2021, and it is a day to commemorate all men and women who have died while serving in the military for the United States of America. Many local business owners understand the significance of this Holiday and show their support by offering amazing Memorial Day specials, one-of-a-kind offers, and fantastic discounts on merchandise, products, and services. Make sure to carefully browse this issue of Tampa Bay News and Lifestyles, so you can take advantage of those great deals and save big this upcoming Memorial Day! Aside from Memorial Day, the month of May houses a few other special days as well. On the 2nd Sunday of May, we celebrate International Mother’s Day. This 2021, we will be celebrating on Sunday, May 9th. I would like to personally wish all mothers, grandmothers, foster mothers, and even pet moms a very Happy Mother’s Day! I would also like to take this opportunity to personally wish my own mother, Berardina Tedeschi, a very Happy Mother’s Day. I couldn’t have asked for a better role model. I love you so much. Thank you for never giving up on me. Remember, successful mothers are not the ones that never struggle or get frustrated; they are the ones that never give up, despite the struggles and continue loving unconditionally. Are any of our readers Star Wars fans? May the 4th be with you! Star Wars Day, May 4, celebrates George Lucas’ Star Wars. Fans of the media franchise observe it by re-watching the Star Wars movies, wearing costumes, sharing movie quotes, and posting funny memes on social media. The date was chosen for the pun on the catchphrase “May The Force Be With You” as “May The Fourth Be With You.” Also, in May, many of us look forward to “Cinco de Mayo,” which is a holiday that celebrates the date of the Mexican army’s 1862 victory over France at the Battle of Puebla during the Franco-Mexican War. You wouldn’t guess it, but Cinco de Mayo is a relatively minor holiday in Mexico, but in the United States has evolved into a huge commemoration of Mexican culture and heritage, and the Holiday is frequently confused with “Mexico’s Independence Day,” which takes place on September
16th. So make sure you celebrate safely, and if possible, support some of our local restaurants, even from the comfort of your own home. Lastly, I want to bring your attention to something of importance that also takes place during this beautiful spring month, Lyme Disease Awareness Month. Many states and counties have taken steps to raise awareness regarding Lyme and tick-borne diseases. Declaring May “Lyme Awareness Month” is one move to help remind people spring is here, ticks are out, prevention, and proper education are your best tools to staying healthy. With the spread of the disease to all 50 states, Lyme awareness, education, and early intervention are critical. Even though Lyme disease may not be common in Florida, you can still get infected. Take it from someone who is currently battling this debilitating and life-altering condition. Please be prepared and learn the signs and symptoms of Lyme disease. If you have symptoms such as; high fevers, chills, body aches, weight gain/loss, TMJ, headaches/ migraines, extreme fatigue, muscle and joint aches, arthritis with severe joint pain and swelling, particularly on the knees and other large joints, severe inflammation, heart palpitations or an irregular heartbeat, and problems with short-term memory amongst others, please contact your primary physician. Ask him or her to advise you and refer you to a Lyme Disease specialist near you. If you’d like to personally talk to me about my Lyme disease journey and the doctors that have helped me, please feel free to email me directly at carla@nnlflorida.com. You are not alone! Fighting Lyme has been an uphill battle, but with the proper diagnosis and treatment, you’ll be one step closer to a healthier you. It’s been tough to open up to everyone about this, but if I can help raise awareness with my own story, then so be it. The COVID pandemic is still in full force, but there are many kinds of diseases still out there that can also mimic similar symptoms. Proper diagnosis is key. If your health fails, it can overshadow everything else that’s going on in your life. Please take care of yourself, eat a healthy diet, make sleep a priority, find a fitness habit that works for you, and don’t get too stressed out. Stress can wreak havoc on your body. Treat everyone with kindness, starting with your own self. Until next time,
Carla Dubis Tedeschi
