This year continues to be one of change for me. I really wasn't into Easter this year. It just wasn't the same for a couple of reasons. For one, it fell at the end of Spring Break, a much needed time away from school for all...the teacher and the students that reside in my house. So...I was feeling really lazy, and selfish, and wanted to enjoy my last day of doing nothing. Second, Scott wasn't able to come home. He intended to at first, but had a biology field trip out of town on Saturday, and understandably did not want to drive so many miles for just a few hours. I really missed him. Our first family holiday with one member missing. It was tough, and would have been much easier for me to hibernate and be sad. J and Hannah wouldn't let me though.
On the way home from church, Hannah asked when we were going to dye eggs. We're not, I said. No one has mentioned it this year. (Insert a huge pouty face and whine from Han)...but, we always color eggs. (Now it is my turn to pout)...No way! I'm not going to Wal Mart on Easter to buy egg dye. So I looked it up on the Internet to find out I had everything needed...except eggs. No No No!!! I proceeded to take my nap. Upon awakening, I found my family ready to go to Wal Mart. J to purchase the Starburst jelly beans that I forgot, and hubs and Han to get the eggs and store bought dye. Aint' he a great guy!!
I had planned our usual dinner together so as not to be too much of a spoil sport, so while they were gone I started to cook the roast. I didn't have an onion, so guess what...hubs brought one of those home, too. Then he disappeared into our bedroom with the plastic eggs. Tradition is to fill the eggs with loose change saved from the previous year, hide them in the yard, and let the kids hunt. Due to the sogginess of our yard, I really wasn't counting on this to happen either, but alas it did. Hannah sported her rain boots for the occasion.
We enjoyed our family meal of roast, rice and gravy, green beans, and some sauteed mushrooms. I got plenty of compliments on the meal, and it was quite enjoyable at our table of four. Strange, but still pleasant.
Growing up I never liked Easter much. There are many sad memories associated with it. Twice during this supposed joyful time of Resurrection celebration, my mother was very sick with cancer. Once, I was in the hospital with a rare disease called ITP. There is a long scientific name for the acronym that I will spare you. The long and short of it, my platelet count was dangerously low, causing severe bruising and high fever. I had a huge bruise on my arm, and I remember the nurses called it my Easter egg. The doctors tested me for Leukemia. It was negative.
Pastor of Riverwood Church, Tim Lien, loves Easter. To quote him loosely...it should be better than Christmas. I tend to agree. Now that the children are older, Easter is much, much more than fancy clothes and a picture under our magnolia tree. Those times are changing, but Christ has not, and never will. I loved seeing the Facebook posts with the cute dresses and smiles, children and family from all generations. It did make me a little sad that we were only four, and the rain kept us away from the magnolia tree. Then I remembered...He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Matthew 28:6 Joy to the World!! He is risen indeed.
And yes, there are pictures, because you know me, and I can't go without those.
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| Easter shoes??? And the garden hose, not a giant snake :-) |
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| Let's count and see how many remain. |
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| There is always an egg in the mailbox, maybe two. |
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| Apparently at 16 you are not too cool to hunt Easter eggs. |
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| Masters at work...don't interrupt, please. |
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| The finished products |
