Here Comes Peter Cottontail!

I love EASTER! It is probably my favorite holiday, besides Christmas, Halloween and every other holiday! No really, I love spring! I love finding Easter eggs, the pretty spring colors, pretty Easter dresses and ties, tulips and daffodils etc. I love the renewal Easter brings. We had a wonderful time with Brian's family. Great food, lots of eggs to find and fun cousin time for the kids. The Easter Bunny successfully found our house and all were sufficiently spoiled. We have enough candy for our year supply but it will probably only last for the week! As I reflect on the "fun" of Easter my thoughts turn to Brian's dad. Gary was always so fun and even silly on the holidays. Being with his grandkids always seemed to bring out the kid in him. It was always so apparent the joy he felt when surrounded my those he loved. With his passing Easter has become a tender holiday in our home. We have had the opportunity to share our feelings about the Crucifixion and Resurrection with our children in a way that we may not have before. The doctrine of the Resurrection has taken on such personal meaning in our home. The first Easter Gary was gone the kids took some Easter eggs up to the cemetery for their Grandpa. A few days later we went back and the eggs were gone. Noah and Emma were so excited! They thought that Grandpa came back! They often ask, "When is Jesus coming back? We want to see Grandpa." How we wish we had an answer, how we wish we could see him too! I feel hope, joy and peace in knowing that I will see Gary again. This really is why I love Easter.