EASTER. It is a holiday dedicated to the resurrection of Jesus Christ and the visiting of the Easter Bunny.
Interesting enough, the history of the Easter Bunny comes from Germany, where originally the Easter Bunny would only come if the children were good. Sort of like a judge. As the story goes, the bunny would carry colored eggs, toys, and candy in his basket to all the good children during the first Sunday of April. Now, I know the Easter Bunny isn’t so biblical, however, it’s been associated with Easter so long that it’s become a main staple in many American homes: even Christians!
This then brings me to my family and our Easter traditions. Like many Christian families, we start off our Easter by going to church and paying our respects to Jesus Christ. I can remember my mother dressing me up like a little doll every Easter: little hats and frilly socks. Then after church, we’d return home to be happily surprised that the Easter Bunny had come and paid us a most generous visit. Easter baskets filled with toys, candy, money, clothes: all topped off with an egg hunt in the backyard. One year I actually missed an egg and found it in September. It had a Barbie stamp in it. My parents thought that was pretty funny.
Anyway, after the egg hunt and basket opening, we’d dye eggs. My favorite part. Sometimes we’d do them before Easter, like a week or so, but when I was younger it would be the day off to really get into the holiday spirit. This now brings me today. Since my mother’s passing, I have given much thought to what holidays were going to be like. This Sunday will be my first Easter without my mother. Now, after contemplating whether or not I should keep doing the things I use to love doing during this holiday weekend, I finally decided with some help from a true friend that I shouldn’t let them go.
I knew my mother wouldn’t want me to stop doing things because she was no longer here; if you knew her you’d know that’s how she was. Always do what you love Peanut. No matter what. So I did. Today my fellow Chi Omega sister Sam, my little Easter Bunny himself Theodore and myself, made Easter Egg cookies and dyed Easter Eggs. Festivities that myself and my mother use to do. Now, I must admit we had a very good time making everything, but I think the best part was trying to get Theodore to take a picture with all the eggs in some fake grass we bought. With some fake carrots. He actually likes eating the fake grass. But overall it was a great time; spending time with each other like we were family.
After finishing our festivities I felt really proud of myself; because I didn’t let my situation stop me from doing the things I always loved to do this time of year. Which made me realize, though things will never be the same, that doesn’t mean I can’t keep the traditions my family and I share still going. Just in different ways. And so with that, I tell you all this…as I cherish my memories and make new ones I send my love and blessings to all of you this Easter holiday, and may you all cherish your time with your loved ones. Just remember one thing: traditions only last as long as people allow them to. Happy Easter.
With Love,
Lex Paige
