April 9, 2023

Easter has always been one of my favorite holidays. For me, Easter is more impactful than Christmas. Easter is the Christian celebration where Jesus rose from the dead after a brutal crucifixion on the cross.

As a child, Easter was about spending the day with family, starting your Sunday morning with an Easter basket full of chocolates, candies, church, and often a big Easter dinner.

Once married, Easter was about repeating family traditions. The cracking of the red eggs for my Greek family. Seeing who is going to be the lucky winner for the next year of good luck. It was also about church, Easter baskets, Easter egg hunting, and enjoying time with our neighbors (lovingly called the Hood Rats), and often enjoying time with my parents during their annual trip to Texas in April.

Yesterday as I sat on the plane ride home after being gone for a week on a combination work/family trip, I reflected back on the many Easter’s of the past. My heart is full that I was able to see and spend time with my family this week, especially my father, silently knowing and terrified that the next time I see him that he truly won’t know, or remember, who I am. Today we still celebrate the resurrection of our Lord and Savior even though we weren’t with my parents, our children, or our neighbors.

In fact, in the last 48 hours, I was blessed to celebrate Easter with my family. I also attended the funeral of a family member, learned of a dear friends daughter who is in the ICU due to an apartment fire, learned of the passing of a dear family friend’s father, my mother-in-law being admitted into the hospital, and cherishing going home to my husband and fluffy puppies.

This Easter, no matter who you are with, or who you are missing, Celebrate life. Celebrate the fact that we have everlasting life because of the sacrifices Jesus made for us. Celebrate YOUR life. Celebrate where you are today- good, bad, or ugly. Celebrate today!

Happy Easter wherever you’re at, and whoever you’re with! Tomorrow is never guaranteed, so give thanks for today.

Xo,

Tracy