Has Earth Day Come and Gone?

Earth Day, April 22, has come and gone and the earth is still here.  So why does there need to be a special day? Moreover, why should it be important to me?   I reflected on those very questions and came to a few conclusions.  You may have some of your own thoughts and are welcome to share them too.

Reasons Earth Day might be important to me

1. Of course, there is the official reason why Earth Day was established.  Wikipedia has a nice article about the background and history.  But that doesn't quite do it for me.  While the original intentions were positive, the ensuing political undertones and extremist views on both sides of the discussion are a turn-off to me.  It's tantamount to passing laws about how I must say thank you to my human mother on Mother's Day.  
2. Earth Day is a reminder like Mothers Day, Birthdays and any Anniversary,  A reminder to give thanks that the earth is still here.  That its able to grow food (I've got to say thank you to all the farmers too), provide breathable air and drinkable water.  I'm not sure about you, but even though I really am thankful, I still need such reminders - sometimes many of them. 
3. Without being extremist or telling others how to give thanks for the earth, I find that there are a lot of things I am able to do to show I'm thankful besides just saying it.  Of course there is always room for improvement.  For example, I've found I don't need to drive to the store every time I need something.  I'm thankful to live in the country where I can have a small crew of goats to help me keep the underbrush and weeds in control - and the added benefit of turning it into fertilizer.  We've got our gadgets (this computer), but by living simple, we find we need less, use less, and waste less of just about everything.

So what does this have to do with the rocks and minerals we sell?  To me it's balance.  The rocks and minerals come from the earth and provide our livelihood.  I can't replace them, no more than I can replace my human mother, now that she is gone.  But I can respect the earth as I use and enjoy what it provides.  I can give thanks, and I can live and act in a manner that demonstrates that intention.

Thank you Mother on this day and every day.  Because of you I am.  Without you I am not.