Growing up in a non-religious home, Easter has always been more about bunnies, plastic eggs, family meals and togetherness than it has about celebrating its true meaning for me. My family celebrates it like spring Thanksgiving. Now that my girls are older, I ensure that they have the basic understanding of why the holiday is really celebrated in addition to the "fun" reasons. Just because we don't spend the day in church doesn't mean they shouldn't understand what the day is really about.
Last week, we spent the Sunday doing an early Easter celebration with my "second family." For years now, we have done this together, given that neither of us have our real families nearby. And unlike our real family, there is no stress, no long standing family dynamics, or the like. It's just people you love like family, sharing a meal and making more memories.
This week, we are able to share with my real family. At least, part of them. My brother and his family are at home in LA, and they are missed. However, watching the joy on my parents faces knowing their home is filled with the laughter and antics of their granddaughters is worth almost as much as the smile on Gianna's face after receiving an iTunes gift card in her Easter basket.
Not unlike Christmas, Easter is a lovely holiday celebrated by so many millions around the world for its religious reasons, and can sometimes be overshadowed for its commerical focus. No matter what way you celebrate, if you do it all, it's such a nice day to slow down and enjoy the ones you love. Especially if it comes with a couple of jelly beans and a chocolate bunny.
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