Easter Memories and Family

Family ties are cherished things, forged in childhood days, by love of parents, deep and true, and sweet familiar ways.– Terri Burritt

Easter Sunday – a day to celebrate with our church families and a day to gather with our extended families. Did you celebrate the holiday with your family? What traditional things do you do for Easter?

When my kids were young, we always went to visit my husband’s parents on Easter. The holiday was very important to my mother-in-law, and she would have been very disappointed if her children didn’t come “home” on that Sunday. She loved having us all in church with her on Easter.

She also enjoyed having a corsage on Easter. Church ladies wearing corsages on Easter Sunday used to be common. I once saw orchid corsages for sale at a gas station/convenience store. Not now. It’s been years since any of the women at our church have shown up with a flower pinned to their new Easter finery. I didn’t see a single hat in church today either although I think one of our ladies did wear one last year.

When I was a teenager, hats were required church attire. All the ladies wore hats. I didn’t like hats even then but got by wearing little veil hat that somebody told me were called whimsies. Gloves were expected too. No matter the weather. I had white gloves and tan gloves.

Most everybody at church had something new on too. Even the men had new suits or at least a new shirt or tie. Most of them were wearing suits and ties. Those are scarce at our church now too. We have one older gentleman who always wears a tie but not usually a suit. Oh and back in the day, the men all wore hats to church too, but of course, not in the church.

Today, most of the kids at church had new clothes, but it used to be every female had a new Easter frock. In past years, I did a lot of sewing to get us ready for Easter. I always made a dress for my daughter and me and sometimes made something for my sons. Now I just wear something I already have and don’t even think about getting a new Easter dress and for sure, don’t think about sewing one. It’s been years since I sewed anything more than a ripped seam. Did you shop for new finery for Easter for yourself or your family? Or maybe fashion an outfit with your own needle?

Now, on Easter, my sons and their families sometimes make it home for a visit on Easter weekend. They came earlier this year while my daughter was visiting in March on her birthday. Up at the top is a picture of an Easter a few years ago when almost all the family was at church except for a couple of granddaughters and my daughter and her husband. This morning my son and two of my granddaughters and one of their friends joined us for church. A couple of my son’s children are out of state at schools now. Missed them. And my other son and his family were on vacation. My daughter lives out of state too and can’t always make it on Easter.

When the grandkids were younger, I would have an Easter egg hunt for them. It’s absolutely amazing how fast nine kids can find a lot of stuffed plastic eggs. I always made them pose for a picture before saying the word go. Back before Mom’s health failed, she would come out and watch the hunt. So fun.

Today was a quieter Easter for us, but we got to be with our church family to worship this morning and fill at least one pew with us and my son and girls. A good day to celebrate the empty tomb and remember the great love of our Savior

I am blessed.

Love your family. Spend time, be kind; serve one another. Make no room for regrets. Tomorrow is not promised; today is short. 

Did you get to gather with your family today or sometime this weekend?