Daffodils in snow. (Provided photo — Diane Chase)

I do like a good theme. It can get me out of a rut and challenge me. earthday.org has made its annual Earth Day theme “Invest in Our Planet.” Earth Day, in some ways, can feel like an odd thing to celebrate. Does everything need a holiday? The Earth is just there. It’s around when you wake up and still there when you go to sleep. When we do not see the Earth as something separate from us, we render it invisible.

More than not, Earth is like another member of the family. Earth is more often the nurturing mother figure that feeds us, asks us to be healthy and be the best versions of ourselves. But sadly, we treat her like a put-upon, overworked and underappreciated parent. Earth is the role model that is walked all over every day. Earth is the guardian that gives more than it receives but is taken advantage of and constantly stripped of value. Being able to truly appreciate the Earth is being mature enough to understand the selfless acts that role models, caregivers, and guardians have done for us along the way. The Earth is the one force we all think will just be around forever and therein lies the problem.

Investing in our planet doesn’t have to be financial. One place to check out is the online earthday.org Live summit. There are panels, discussions, and speakers focusing on numerous topics, including single-use plastic, climate restoration, and green economy. There is also a list of registered local events. Previous activities and speakers also provide a vast amount of information for anyone trying to keep Earth inhabitable.

For many years, at the bequest of my daughter, we have added an Earth Day Resolution to our annual clean-up. It continues to be the elimination of single-use plastic. I look at the grocery store shelves, and I’m overwhelmed by the amount of plastic. Buying something isn’t always made with the environment in mind. We have to watch our budget, which means, like many other people, we need to continue fighting for companies to provide us with environmentally sustainable options. It’s frustrating.

I understand it has become cliche to say, “Every day is Earth Day.” Let’s all step away from the white noise and continue to make changes, small and large. We want to appreciate the Earth, not take advantage of her. There is only one. Happy Earth Day!