Easter 2004
Easter greetings! Here is an account of part of our 2004 Easter holiday.
Yesterday was anything but ideal weather for Easter, but wearing sweaters to warm us against the Easter Freeze that all the old-timers warn about, we all crowded into a pew at the Methodist Church that Mom and Dad attend. This seemed a particularly important year to celebrate this holiday together. Just last Fall, due to aging and health problems, Mom and Dad moved from their home of forty-plus years. Each holiday away from ‘our house’ seems much like what I assume the first holiday after the death of a loved one feels. Everyone is affected by the change of locale but putting up a brave front to make it normal and happy. Or maybe it is just me and I’m projecting these emotions onto the rest of the family!
Alyssa, my precious 2 year old granddaughter; who made us laugh more than once this Easter would appreciate me informing you that she will turn 3 in June, wears big girl panties, and can say the Pledge of Allegiance.
In the last two to three years we have not been to church much. The kids (how I refer to my daughter, son-in-law, and the little girls) have been a few times, but not enough to have the religious rituals down pat. Ashley, my beautiful 7 year old granddaughter who will turn 8 in May, led Alyssa to the front of the church for Children’s Time. They were attentive, well-behaved and…okay…of all the little girls kneeling near the pastor, Ashley and Alyssa were obviously the prettiest. When the girls came back to our pew it was time for silent prayer and after a few moments of quiet, the pastor led the congregation in the Lord’s Prayer. Alyssa, hearing the mass of people speaking in unison, joined in by saying the only thing she had been taught to say in unison. So while we said, “Our Father Who Art In Heaven…”, Alyssa proudly said “I Pledge Allegiance to the Flag…”. And so out of the mouth of this babe, church and state were reunited.
After eating a dinner that included ham and pastel-colored deviled eggs, we adjourned to the living room. Some grown-ups went out back and hid decorated eggs, while the children put on jackets, knit caps. There was some good natured kidding of my son-in-law, Roger. Alyssa watched this adult banter with a somber expression. We all laughed and looked at Rog for his reaction. Alyssa drew her brows into a scowl and said “this is not a joke on Roger”. Her voice was loud and emphatic and I can tell you, we all straightened up. She saw no reason not defend her Daddy against a room full of adults.
The children lined up at the door in order of age, youngest first. The plan was to let the little ones get a head start. First, 18 month old Addison went out in her mother’s arms. Next was Alyssa accompanied by Roger. The older children could barely stand having to wait. Three year old cousin Austin went next. Allowing him no more than a 5 second head start, the 7 year old cousins Ashley and Freddie hit the ground running. The instant all the children dashed into the backyard, Alyssa began to wail. She couldn’t focus on all the Easter Eggs her Dad was helping her gather. All the bright eggs and foil wrapped bunnies in her basket were of no consequence. What was important was that the big kids were dashing here and there scooping up all the eggs that should be hers. What she really wanted was a protected territory. Perhaps next year we can draw off the yard into plots, lined with colorful streamers and each child can calmly pick up the eggs and place them gently in their basket. Nah! What is the fun in that? Alyssa will eventually learn that while there are some things in life that are set aside just for her much of life is competitive.
Yesterday was anything but ideal weather for Easter, but wearing sweaters to warm us against the Easter Freeze that all the old-timers warn about, we all crowded into a pew at the Methodist Church that Mom and Dad attend. This seemed a particularly important year to celebrate this holiday together. Just last Fall, due to aging and health problems, Mom and Dad moved from their home of forty-plus years. Each holiday away from ‘our house’ seems much like what I assume the first holiday after the death of a loved one feels. Everyone is affected by the change of locale but putting up a brave front to make it normal and happy. Or maybe it is just me and I’m projecting these emotions onto the rest of the family!
Alyssa, my precious 2 year old granddaughter; who made us laugh more than once this Easter would appreciate me informing you that she will turn 3 in June, wears big girl panties, and can say the Pledge of Allegiance.
In the last two to three years we have not been to church much. The kids (how I refer to my daughter, son-in-law, and the little girls) have been a few times, but not enough to have the religious rituals down pat. Ashley, my beautiful 7 year old granddaughter who will turn 8 in May, led Alyssa to the front of the church for Children’s Time. They were attentive, well-behaved and…okay…of all the little girls kneeling near the pastor, Ashley and Alyssa were obviously the prettiest. When the girls came back to our pew it was time for silent prayer and after a few moments of quiet, the pastor led the congregation in the Lord’s Prayer. Alyssa, hearing the mass of people speaking in unison, joined in by saying the only thing she had been taught to say in unison. So while we said, “Our Father Who Art In Heaven…”, Alyssa proudly said “I Pledge Allegiance to the Flag…”. And so out of the mouth of this babe, church and state were reunited.
After eating a dinner that included ham and pastel-colored deviled eggs, we adjourned to the living room. Some grown-ups went out back and hid decorated eggs, while the children put on jackets, knit caps. There was some good natured kidding of my son-in-law, Roger. Alyssa watched this adult banter with a somber expression. We all laughed and looked at Rog for his reaction. Alyssa drew her brows into a scowl and said “this is not a joke on Roger”. Her voice was loud and emphatic and I can tell you, we all straightened up. She saw no reason not defend her Daddy against a room full of adults.
The children lined up at the door in order of age, youngest first. The plan was to let the little ones get a head start. First, 18 month old Addison went out in her mother’s arms. Next was Alyssa accompanied by Roger. The older children could barely stand having to wait. Three year old cousin Austin went next. Allowing him no more than a 5 second head start, the 7 year old cousins Ashley and Freddie hit the ground running. The instant all the children dashed into the backyard, Alyssa began to wail. She couldn’t focus on all the Easter Eggs her Dad was helping her gather. All the bright eggs and foil wrapped bunnies in her basket were of no consequence. What was important was that the big kids were dashing here and there scooping up all the eggs that should be hers. What she really wanted was a protected territory. Perhaps next year we can draw off the yard into plots, lined with colorful streamers and each child can calmly pick up the eggs and place them gently in their basket. Nah! What is the fun in that? Alyssa will eventually learn that while there are some things in life that are set aside just for her much of life is competitive.
posted by Mary @ 9:19 AM
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