Up the Family Tree: Easter

   

 Easter

According to the encyclopedia, "Most Christian churches in the West observe Easter on the first Sunday after the full moon that comes on or after the vernal equinox (March 21). Thus, Easter falls within a 35 day period between March 22 and April 15, inclusive." Confusing? You bet. For me, the easiest way to determine the date of Easter is to check the Sundays in March and April on the calendar. The word Easter is printed under the correct date.

Easter weather is always confused, too. One Easter Sunday I dressed the family in short sleeves and cotton; it snowed.  Another year the day was filled with sunshine, and the temperature was in the 80's. The family wore wool that year. One thing is fairly predictable about Easter weather.  If I plan an outdoor Easter egg hunt, it will rain...and rain...and rain. I once planned and cancelled an egg hunt six weekends in a row. I finally gave up, made May baskets, filled them with Easter eggs and delivered them to the neighbors--in the rain.

Easter egg hunts confused my children. I tried to teach them to be young ladies and gentlemen. I didn’t want pushy, greedy kids. Yet at Easter egg hunts, I encouraged them to run fast and grab more eggs than the other children. I even pointed out the location of hidden eggs at one hunt, all for a large chocolate Easter bunny.

Where the eggs came from was confusing to my young children. Does a rabbit really produce eggs or does he buy them at the store? Where does the Easter Bunny get money to buy eggs? How does the chicken fit into the story?  How come Tommy says there isn't an Easter bunny? 

For real confusion at Easter, I suggest allowing four kids armed with four dozen hard boiled eggs, six tablets of dye and six cups of water to use your kitchen to dye eggs.

"Mine is the prettiest."

"Look, I wrote my name."

"How do you spell my name, Mom?"

"What color is that?"

"That's my egg. You took my egg."

"Mine is two-toned."

"Your egg is ugly."

"Mom, he spilled the blue."

"Don't drink that."

"Mom, can we boil some more eggs?"

"I wanted that egg."

"He's eating mine."

"When is it my turn?"

Deciding what to do with four dozen eggs was confusing, too. Still, Easter remains a favorite holiday of children and adults alike. It's a good time to visit with friends and family. It’s a good time to worship together as a family and with friends.

Happy Easter!