As I sit here in my finest Easter pajamas watching church on Youtube, I am reminiscing about Easters past. I am not exactly upset that I am able to enjoy the solitude of a Sunday morning at home with my husband and dogs.
The Origin of an Easter Vow
There was a time many years ago when I was so excited about Easter that I completely overcommitted myself and my family. I was a mid-twenties stay-at-home mom with two children under four. I was very active at a wonderful neighborhood Lutheran church. For some reason I needed to be at the sunrise service and at the later service. I cannot for the life of me remember why, but I had volunteered to do something. I remember getting up early and attending the sunrise service alone, then coming home, watching my children hunt for the eggs that the Easter bunny had left in the back yard, then hurrying to get them ready before Russell and I piled them into the car to leave for the church service. Then we participated in several activities at church before we went to meet my family for a late brunch at a local restaurant.
That Easter day was a hurried, exhausting disaster with tired, hungry children at church and in a restaurant — and with a few angry words passed between my husband and me as we worked to keep children calm and extended family pleased. What I remember most was the vow I made NEVER to cram Easter Sunday full of activities again. I can’t say I kept that promise, because I get excited about holidays and try to pack in as much fun as I can, but I did get better about setting boundaries for my family.
Just a Month ago…
Fast forward to now. Easter is hit or miss as a family holiday for us — we have adult children with adult lives, but we do try to get together when we can. Just one month ago my daughter and I were trying to get reservations at Brennan’s, a local favorite for brunch, especially on Easter. My office often hosts events there so I was trying to leverage some of my relationships to get a reservation, but they were so overbooked that we never got confirmation that we had a table. Within days came the COVID-19 pandemic and stay-at-home orders and, if a restaurant was open at all, it was take-out orders only. My plans of a fancy brunch with a human dressed as the Easter bunny vanished.
So, while I am sad to not be together with everyone, there is a part of me that is perfectly fine celebrating Easter in my pajamas from the comfort of my chair with a hot cup of coffee in hand. Don’t get me wrong; despite the story I shared above, we have had many wonderful Easter celebrations with our family, from brunch at fine restaurants to casual times with everyone at our home with ham and a simple potato salad. Last year we were not all together, but we had one last Easter with my son’s fiancée Rebecca and her daughter, Eva, before we lost Rebecca tragically in car accident shortly afterward. It was a magical day and a memory I will always cherish.
This year there is something solemn and comforting about being home during this time. It feels right. I was worried it would not feel like Easter because the days seem to be running into each other. I was worried I would be sad that we could not be together. I was wrong, though. It does feel like Easter. I am grateful today for that feeling. Despite hot, muggy weather, despite the COVID threat, despite the craziness in our world, despite the fact that I have not seen nor kissed nor hugged my children and granddaughter in a month, I am finding joy in the day. I worshiped with my church family even though we in the congregation were in many different places. Our family is having a Zoom date today where we will laugh and talk over each other, which will feel kind of normal. My sweet brother even brought me a custard pie yesterday. I am taking comfort in my belief that He is Risen.
Happy Easter to all!
Lo I am with you always, even unto the end of an age.”
Matthew 28:20