Easter Long Weekend

Finally the Easter long weekend is over! I'm all for having a few days off but this particular holiday seems to drag on forever. Perhaps it was because the weather was not great and I couldn't get outside to start my Spring gardening. Likely it was because my Easter traditions are forever changing causing me to be overly reflective.

I have fond memories of Easter as a child. My maternal grandparents didn't live close to us but we travelled to see them often. It was quite normal for us to be shipped over to see them for the Easter holidays. My grandfather (Papa) was the funniest man and would give his eye tooth to play a prank on someone......especially my grandmother (Nanny)!! Easter is a time when most husbands head to the flower shop to purchase some lovely Spring posies for their wives, but not Papa! He would take us on a scavenger hunt in the woods looking for the smelliest skunk cabbage we could find. He would then lovingly wrap a bow on it and present it to my Nanny. Even though I'm sure she was as mad as a hornet she laughed with delight at his silly prank, all the while my brother and I were giggling uncontrollably. I also remember on Easter morning, Papa yelling that he could see the Easter bunny tracks in the frost on the lawn. My brother and I would scamper outside to see the tracks and try to find the Easter bunny! The tracks went clear around the yard but we never found that elusive bunny.

Easter celebrations with my own children mainly consisted of the requisite Easter egg hunt and the gathering of the clan for the traditional eating of the turkey. There is nothing quite like seeing your children’s eyes bug out when they see that large wicker basket stuffed with all their favorite goodies.

Lately our Easter celebrations have changed. My grandparents are no longer with us. My Mother and Father, long since divorced, live a fair distance from me. My children, both in their mid 20's are shift workers that seldom, if ever, get any of the holidays off. This year we attempted a make shift gathering about 5 days before the holiday - better to have us together even if it's not on the day.

My hubby and I were invited to celebrate a Ukrainian Easter brunch with my girlfriend’s parents. She explained that we would be eating a traditional Ukrainian breakfast full of all sorts of things we'd likely never eaten. I was a bit hesitant as I'm not fond of unusual foods but I was delightfully surprised! Ham, cabbage rolls, Ukrainian sausage, beet horseradish, hard boiled eggs and a scrumptious assortment of Easter breads. It was delicious and we were honored to be included in on a family tradition.

The sun is supposed to come out today so hopefully I'll get out in that garden of mine. It will give me time to reflect on the changes in my life and cherish the wonderful memories I have been lucky enough to have.