Easter

As a child, Easter was kind of a big deal.  As a child, any holiday that involved candy was a big deal.

The night before was always fun.  I remember the smell of vinegar rising in the steam of the boiling water as we mixed colors for our boiled eggs.  I remember our small kitchen and the magic of lifting out the eggs from the colored mixture with a spoon. 

I remember Easter morning, waking up to an Easter basket always sitting by my bed.  I remember my Dad hiding the eggs and my Mom inside trying to keep me and my two older brothers from looking outside and watching my Dad.  I remember all of us laughing at some of the places my Dad would hide the eggs.

After the hunt was the enjoyment of boiled eggs until we were sick of boiled eggs and how my oldest brother didn't like boiled eggs, but would always eat at least one. 

When my children were young, the night before Easter still involved the smell of vinegar rising in the steam.  They would help me and my mother color the eggs.  Easter morning my children awoke to Easter baskets by their beds.  My Dad still hid the eggs, but it was my Mother and I who would stay inside to keep my two children from looking out the window and watching my Dad, their Grandfather.  There was still much laughter at my Dad's hiding places.

Some where, there is a video of my then 90 year old grandmother looking for Easter eggs with her great grand children. 

When I was young we all understood what Easter was about.  Like we did about Christmas.  There are those who would frown on the lack of Jesus in our family on holidays like Easter and Christmas, but I wouldn't trade the memories I have for anything.  They include family.  Family and lots of love and lots of laughter.  And it was always that way.