Another Easter

Hallelujah!  The Lord is risen!  Today is Easter.  The most important day of the year for Christians.  We've had a long period of sorrow and penitence (Lent) and participated in the Last Supper, the Crucifixion, the burial.  Today we rejoice at the resurrection of our Lord.

Easter was my husband's favorite holy day.  He loved Christmas because we shared it with family.  But for the same reason, it was a very stressful holiday.  We had to drive to So. California and then try to spend time with his parents, my parents, our siblings, our children and grandchildren; usually all within 2 or 3 days.  We celebrated Christmas with the children and grandchildren at home sometime between Christmas and New Year's.  By the time the holiday had come and gone, we were hard-pressed to remember the reason for the holiday.

Easter was a quiet holiday.  We both were able to concentrate on the reason we were celebrating.  We went to church, came home and spent a relaxing Sunday together.  Sometimes family would come over for dinner.  Sometimes friends would come by for a visit.  Sometimes we just jumped in the car and went for a long drive.

When he was sick and knew that he was dying, he held out for "one more Easter".  He was determined and prayed every night for that one last gift.  His prayers were answered.  Easter Sunday, 2004, his best friend, Walt, and Walt's wife, Betty stopped by.  He found the strength to come down, and sit outside and visit with us for a short period.  Later, a priest friend came by and gave him Easter communion.   He died a week later. 

I love Easter.  I love the rebirth I see all around us.  Everything is turning green, the flowers are budding and blooming, the birds are back at the feeders, the pond fish can be seen swimming again.  While Easter time also holds a sadness for me, a reminder of Easters past and in less than two weeks another anniversary of his going home; that was the promise of Easter that meant so much to him. 

Rejoice, He is Risen!  He is Risen Indeed!  Enjoy a blessed and beautiful Easter everyone!