When I think of Easter, it takes me back to the years growing up with Mom, Pop, and my older sister. Often times, when the weather was good, we would move the Easter dinner to the orchard. Does food taste better when it's eaten in the out of doors? It seems that way to me. It felt lazy and festive at the same time. Mom made my sister and I Easter baskets long after we were grown. She loved holidays and made certain we celebrated with her. I didn't realize until after she died how much she contributed to our happiness on holidays. But I sure do appreciate all the memories she gave us in the time we had with her.
Mom made chocolate covered Easter eggs, some coconut, some peanut butter, and cherry. I can still remember how good they tasted. Of course, we made dyed Easter eggs. What's Easter without those? And it doesn't take much skill to make them, so I was all into that.
I still have my old Easter basket and some of the fuzzy chicks with hats she included in it over the years. It's kind of worn and the chicks have tattered, but it brings back those wonderful memories of home.
Parents may have no idea how important the memories they help create are to their children. All grown up and looking back, I still hold dear those cherished memories of Easter in the orchard and baskets full of delight my parents gave to us.
I hope all of you have a wonderful day today celebrating with your loved ones, both family and friends creating memories that could last a lifetime.
6 comments:
I love your memories. My mother also loved holidays and made sure we had something special to remember. I ofter think, as a child of the depression era, and orphaned, she was making up for what she hadn't experienced by living vicariously through my brother and I. Regardless of the reason, like you, I have some wonderful memories of those times. Thank you for sharing. Doris
Thanks for sharing your sweet memory.
The first Easter I recall was in Bowie in 1st grade. We were "oil field trash" and while in this town, we lived in one side of a small duplex. We got up that morning and Mother told us the Easter Bunny had left something for me and my little sister, and the surprises were hidden somewhere in the three rooms we had. We found the items behind a door. They were paper mache bunnies with a "bag" on their back. The bag had candy in it.
Happy Easter
Sarah, we used to go to my grandparents' homes on Easter (they both lived in the same town) and see all our cousins--we'd hunt eggs and I was so lucky to have 6 cousins within about a year's age of me, younger and older, and another 4 or 5 that were within 2 years or so each way. But there were many many others that were older and younger by several years. We had such fun! The meal was only the least part of it--getting to see my cousins was just the most wonderful thing and we all enjoyed each other's company.
The Easter bunny always left a basket with candy and usually a little toy or something in it, a tradition I carried on for my kids, of course! This is the first year I haven't made them Easter baskets--but we did go out to dinner last night and have a wonderful time. I've always wished that they'd had the same family-type upbringing I had as a youngster--those memories are priceless.
Happy Easter!
Doris, I know there are some moms out there who may not have that special loving touch, but for most of us, I think moms are the heart of the home. When they're gone, they take a little chunk of us with them.
Celia, I've read so many of your heartwarming blogs about your family. I can tell your parents did their very best to show their love by the way they raised you, the things they valued and passed down to you, and the many ways, in spite of everything, that they did for you. It's very clear to me how much they loved you.
How wonderful that you had all those cousins and a sweet grandmother, Cheryl. I have 3 cousins that I have rarely ever seen. My paternal grandmother died before I was born, so I never got the chance to spend any holidays with her.
Wow, you went out for dinner--no dishes to wash or any clean up to deal with. Good thinking, Cheryl.
Thank you so much for commenting. I know you're swamped with work, so I really appreciate it.
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