Easter is enjoyable

The last time I sat on the Easter Bunny’s lap, I looked into his mesh-covered eyes and exclaimed, “There’s a man in there!”
He growled something to the effect of, “Shut up, kid.”
I responded by yelling even louder, “Mommy, there’s a man in there!” For some reason the bunny dumped me off his lap, and my mother and I left. I don’t remember if she was laughing or mortified, probably a little of both. I have never been allowed to visit the Easter Bunny again.
Despite this unfortunate experience, Easter is one of my favorite times of the year. All the hollow chocolate rabbits begging to have their ears bitten off, the return of warmer weather, spring flowers opening and sharing their perfumes, the stories of rebirth and redemption, all these things combine to make this a glorious season.
Did I mention Peeps? That sugary confection that comes in lurid colors now comes in flavors. I tried the orange ones and found a new love. They even compete with hollow chocolate rabbits as some of my favorites. I never thought I would find anything I liked better than hollow chocolate rabbits, but these orange treats come close. Thankfully they are only found in one place, so they don’t hop into my hands very often.
Along with the delights of Easter candy, comes the compulsion to be outside. After a long, cold winter when all I wanted to do was survive, the sunshine beckons. I spend hours picking up trash only to have more blow into the yard with every breeze. I pick up twigs and branches tossed away by the trees and shrubs, only to have them drop a few more as soon as my back is turned. I don’t mind the repetitious work, as it is an excuse to get out of the house.
I have cleaned up one of the flower beds and covered it with a cushiony layer of mulch. I have already begun the eternal chore of weeding. I don’t like chemical controls and prefer to pull up any plant I don’t want. Mother nature plants things like garlic mustard, creeping charlie and wild onions that attempt to crowd out whatever I tuck into the ground. Eliminating plants I consider weeds is an exercise in futility, but it gives me an excuse to enjoy the sunshine and get my hands dirty.
Yesterday, I cleaned out one of the smaller garden beds and planted onions, beets and carrots. These are cool-season crops and can take a bit of cold. I don’t think the cold weather is over yet, but it shouldn’t be too much longer before we can put away the heavy winter clothes for awhile.
Last year we were in Texas visiting the grandchildren for Easter. There was an egg hunt for the extended family and a huge party. This year promises to be quieter. We will either stay home or go to Mom’s for the day. Our northern family is much smaller and all the children are almost grown. Still, it will be a day of celebration.
We celebrate the end of cold, dreary days. We celebrate the return of birds and blooms. We celebrate the increased energy that spring brings. We celebrate the survival of another winter. We celebrate, not just because of a religious holiday, but because we can.
We also celebrate because it is an excuse to get together. We are well aware of the possibility that our family will not always be whole. But for now, we are all healthy and reasonably happy. In this season of rebirth and renewal we enjoy the increased energy and happiness that the Easter season brings. And if the price for that is never being allowed to chat with the Easter bunny again, well, that is a price we are willing to pay.

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