Easter 2009: The Memories, the Joy, the Hope

Okay, so I took the above photo at Christmas, but it does show the reason for Easter ... and it's not the Bunny!

What an absolutely beautiful day this Easter has been!

A rainy Saturday turned into a cloudless Easter Sunday, one that was filled with joy, memories, and--most importantly-- hope.

The memories:
* Walking through my small hometown in the early morning hours with the Moravian Church band playing Easter songs
* Eating breakfast a 5:30 a.m. on Easter morning, prepared by church folks, and attending the sunrise service
* Singing "Jesus Christ Has Risen Today" with joyous enthusiasm
* Dying eggs with my mother
* Dying eggs with my sons
* Hanging colorful plastic eggs on a tree in our yard
* Walking among the tombstones of loved ones and mentors who've passed to the next life and believing there is another life.
* Coming into the Catholic Church at age 36 during the Easter Vigil (when my older son made his First Communion)
* Savoring the rebirth of leaves and annuals and remembering there is the promise of new life in Easter


The joys:
* Attending mass with my younger son
* Being filled with nourishment as I partook of what I believe is the Body and Blood of Christ
* The Easter lilies, the bright yellow fabrics, and the flowing waters that welcomed me into the worship space at church today
* Singing "Jesus Christ is Risen Today" with joyous enthusiasm
* Sitting by the water right off the Chesapeake Bay having a fine meal and conversation with a small group of loved ones
* Hearing my granddaughter squeal with delight on the phone as she toted her Easter basket around the house
* Learning from my daughter in law that the church she attended today offered free brunch for families of deployed military personnel (I love military supporters, especially churches!)


The hope:
* Eternal life
* Seeing loved ones again after this life ends
* That I'm worthy in spite of my lack of faith and the wrongs I've committed
* The belief that there's so much more than this life, but acknowledging that this life counts
* That my son in Iraq was able to fully enjoy the mystery and promise of the day


And with the passing of another Lent, I had a slice of pizza last night. It was good, but I wasn't overly thrilled. I had one slice, skipped my roll at lunch today, and am devoting more money towards the food pantry at church (that feeds people who really have little or nothing to eat).

You Tube? Yes, I watched a couple of things this evening, but I don't care about that anymore either.

I'm joyful, I'm grateful, and ... I'm hopeful.