Our Easter festivities started a week before Easter when Kim and I took the kids to an egg hunt at a local distillery. (Hey, when you're in Kentucky...) I use the term "hunt" very, very loosely. I guess I had an idea of what it would be like, but having survived experienced one with my own child for the first time, I wouldn't be surprised if we never participate in another community egg hunt.
Picture this: a large backyard-sized grassy area, covered in thousands of candy filled plastic eggs. Parents with cameras and children with baskets stand along the perimeter (at least 4 deep) waiting for the "go." When the horn goes off, the first row takes a couple steps and starts picking up eggs, leaving the other 3 rows trying to climb over the first row in a frenzy to get to a free space for eggs. It's ridiculous.
I managed to get Adam out in a clearing for a couple seconds before other families crowded in. His "hunt" consisted of standing in one place and filling up his basket with all the eggs in arm's reach.
The whole thing was over in, oh, I'd say, fewer than 3 minutes. Like I said, ridiculous.
But the kiddos had fun, even if the candy selection was a little disappointing.
As the Buffalo Trace distillery grounds were beautiful and the weather was so warm, it was quite an enjoyable afternoon on the whole. Glad we went but never again.
Which brings us to the actual Easter weekend. We dyed eggs (and hands and countertops) at home but Adam didn't seem as interested as he was last year.
In the morning he hunted for his Easter basket and discovered all the treats that the Easter Bunny left for him. Notice how he ignored the candy and the wrapped present in lieu of the book first.
That afternoon we went to Amy and Scott's for Easter dinner with Kevin and Jenny's family and Michael's Dad. It was a beautiful afternoon.
We had an egg hunt in the backyard.
And the kids all had fun playing with one another all afternoon. I meant to get a group picture of all of the cousins but this, perhaps, is a better representation of them in action.
And Sam, well, he's content just about anywhere. He slept through the egg hunt, so I don't have any photos of him with his basket. But I do have him being happy outside.
I know Easter is not about the eggs and gifts and food, but you know what? I love that we do them anyway. They are Family. They are Tradition. They are Togetherness. They are Involvement. Everyone was interested and active and participating together, and late in the day when Sophie organized a short scavenger hunt for the adults and kids, I thought it should be a new tradition, too.
After Adam was born, I saw the crucifixion in a whole new way. I could suddenly relate the sacrifice God made to put his own flesh and blood up on that cross. And realizing it, I was moved to tears.
This year, after several years of being smug in my faith, I am deeply humbled again. The power of Grace, the strength of Forgiveness, the knowledge that I am not worthy of such Love can be overwhelming. Jesus is Alive! And all things are washed clean and made new. Think about that for a few minutes. All of our messed up, ordinary lives are straightened out and given purpose in Him. He sets aside our deficiencies, immaturities, short-sightedness, brokenness and pride and gives us a new lens to view ourselves and our place in this world. There's nothing that can break His love for us. He's changed my perspective, and I am finding so much more joy in the ordinary, forgiving myself for my deficiencies, repenting for my brokenness and pride. I live with more Joy now. I didn't realize how much I missed Him until I re-prioritized things.
Every day should be Easter. Every day we should be reminded of the beauty of a Living God. It's exciting, isn't it? All things are possible. Hope is bountiful. Love is everywhere.
Happy Easter.
Love this… and you. :) And those "Ruff Night" pj's that Adam is wearing. They were a favorite.
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