Easter a time for traditions

Anyone that knows me, knows I really enjoy the Easter holiday. Springtime is a time of rebirth, everything is turning green and blooms are popping out everywhere. We are experiencing an especially beautiful spring this year.

I sure hope you have noticed, that you have taken time to enjoy our lovely surroundings and countryside. Many times we are in such a rush to get everything done, we miss what is right under our nose. Springtime in Tennessee is one of the loveliest times we experience.

Easter also brings back memories of Easters past, experienced with my three daughters. Michael and I make a big deal at Easter time. I decorate the inside of the house with bunnies, colored grass, and eggs of all kinds. Some years I even have an Easter tree, complete with bunny and spring ornaments.

We still laugh at the excited girls, getting up at the ?crack of dawn? to tear into their baskets, wearing their pajamas and sponge rollers! I thought they had to have curly hair when they wore their new dresses and white patent leather shoes to church. Of course, they would have chocolate bunnies for breakfast and then go back to bed for a while. I wonder if their children are doing the same thing?

Another tradition we enjoyed doing with the children, and, as a matter of fact, still do, is color eggs. Parents, if you are not experiencing this tradition, please start. I have talked to some young parents lately, and they just buy plastic eggs and fill then with stuff and hide them. You don?t know the fun you are missing. Sure it?s messy, and takes a little time; and you probably won?t eat the eggs anyway, but it?s the together time that counts. Many of the experts warn parents about eating boiled eggs after they have been out of refrigeration over two hours, but, you know, we ate them and we survived! I do encourage caution, and keep them refrigerated until time for the hunt.

The custom of giving and receiving eggs is one of the oldest customs we observe. The egg has universally symbolized the return of life to the world in springtime.

As you know, the date of Easter changes, therefore affecting the weather situation. We will probably be wearing jackets this year as the little ones gather at our house for our annual egg hunt. It?s one of those holidays that does not occur on the same day each year. This year it is celebrated early, on April 8. Long ago it was decided that Easter should be celebrated on the first Sunday after the first full moon or after the vernal equinox of March 21. The equinox happens when day and night are exactly the same length of time. Therefore, Easter can come as early as March 22 or as late as April 25.

The symbol of the Easter rabbit is most commonly believed to have come from the association most people make between rabbits and fertility. Small children believe the Easter bunny hops to bring eggs and baskets full of surprises just for them.

There are lots of fun things associated with the holiday, but we must remember Easter is a Christian holiday based on the Biblical account of the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. But it also relates to many other spring festivals, and it also commemorates nature?s awakening and rebirth.