I’m sure that I’m not alone in saying that this Easter was a bit different. Our dear friends from Connecticut were supposed to be visiting us, so it was a huge letdown that their trip was canceled. But, our little family of four had each other, and that was really special. This was the first year that Logan really understood what was happening, so that brought a lot of joy to our morning. When I told her that the Easter Bunny had come, she rushed downstairs and saw a bunny stuffed animal from her Mamacita on the chair and I am certain she thought (and still) thinks that he is the Easter Bunny. He hasn’t left her side since.
During this pandemic, going to the store just for Easter items wasn’t happening. Instead, *the Easter Bunny* used some green garland that was around the house as basket filler in place of easter grass. We also tried natural dyed Easter eggs using turmeric and beet juice. The outcome wasn’t the same as vibrant as food coloring, but weI loved the muted natural tones of the eggs. Both of these traditions will continue next year.
The meaning of Easter is important to me, and I was so pleased that we could watch Church online. One of the biggest disappointments of moving to South Carolina was leaving our little Church in Mansfield where the members became family to us. I would often tell Ryan that I would love to “Skype” in on the iPad, and he would follow it up with a loving joke about how our Pastor, Ron, was not the best with technology. But now, we are able to watch via Facebook Live. (The first Live stream was actually on my birthday, what a great gift)! Since Easter, I have listened to and watched three separate Easter Sermons. One Sermon by Pastor Ron from First Baptist Church of Mansfield, one by Pastor Trey from Wellspring Church in Myrtle Beach, and, thanks to a recommendation by my Mimi, a Sermon by Pastor Rick Warrens from Saddleback Church. In their own ways the Sermons related this time of the fear, pain, and uncertainty to that of those around Jesus who suffered with his death. His resurrection brought hope, joy, and freedom and still can. In our times of darkness and uncertainty, we can look to the Easter story and to the empty tomb that was a payment for the past and a promise for the future. It was an amazing, meaningful, and very needed message at this time.
Our day was filled with fun, Church, Easter baskets, an outdoor Easter egg hunt, bunny pancakes, coloring Easter eggs and a smoked lamb roast on the grill. I loved spending time with my babies and beginning new family traditions. I told my husband, Ryan, (who is pictured in the blog with kale sticking out of his mouth) that it was the perfect Day!
