Easter Thoughts

This year we were limited in number of guests we could include in our annual egghunt, because of Abuelo's illness. Not so much the illness as the chemotherapy he has been taking. Remembering back, we think of the times we had dozens of adults and children, all noisily roaming through the vegetation, poking under the leaves and bushy plants with sticks, before reaching for the plastic eggs we use in place of potential stinky rotten boiled eggs that get lost for months until they smell! Some of the children would still be in their dressy new clothes that had already made it through church, but were dear to the hearts, so could not be shed for playclothes just yet. Others would have changed into jeans or something equally comfortable to move faster. This was the first Easter that Dani took off by herself--a four and a half year old needs no help! Sporadic laughter, and screams echoed, as several children (or adults) spotted the same egg and raced to get it.

Because of extra tasks required by Abuelo's inability to help much, and the added disadvantage that age brings, I had not made it to church. Consequently, I had felt a sort of void inside, having not had the ritual of celebrating our Lord's rising. Even so, we basked in the love and companionship of close family and friends, who were not put off by having to serve themselves. There is great comfort in having those you enjoy the most around you, even when you end up exhausted.

The Easter feeling didn't end with Easter, however. The next week, while Abuelo was confined to a recliner receiving his treatment, I met my daughter and grandaughter for lunch and an hour of rushed shopping. Dani was obviously delighted--she checked out toys that she had "always wanted", then we went on the the clothing area, where she pushed the shopping cart, stopping only to sling in any item that she thought "beautiful". When we came across a frilly party dress that struck her fancy, she ooohed and ahhhed as she determindly put it in the cart. Her mother, looking at some items she felt Dani really needed, turned and put it back on the rack, saying, "Easter is past, and we can't buy everything!" Dani replied, "But it's Be-u-ti-ful!" and as soon as Kelly turned her back, replaced it in the cart. Their struggle went on several times. When Kelly wanted to take her to a fitting room to try on other things, I suggested she let her try on the dress. If it didn't fit, or she didn't like it on, that would solve that!

However, it fit perfectly, and Dani, posing in front of the mirror, clasped her hands and cooed, "It's my dream come true!" Well, of course, being her grandmother, I bought the dress. But you must understand, it was marked down to almost half of the original price! And what a bargain! To have such a happy girl, with her dream come true!
I wish that all children were available to us to make their dreams come true. Easter was extended for us, by talking about that experience, and all the things that were said and done on Easter, and the week after. What a joy to have so many varied and interesting experiences to remember, even when you don't experience them first hand!