Easter is one of my favorite holidays. It's one of those that I wish I would have been more gung ho about before I moved to Turkey. Now that I happen to be here for Easter this year I am taking advantage of it. I am collecting those plastic eggs to take back with me. You may think,"I would definitely be using my luggage space for something more practical," but I have learned from experience that one of the best ways to overcome homesickness is to bring a little bit of home with you. I have already planned out next years easter egg hunt at the park. We'll go really early so that too many Turks don't see us scurrying around hiding and finding colored eggs. Our kids will have a blast and maybe we'll even invite some of those cool-American-tradition deprived turkish kids to have some fun with us.
There is nothing like free reign over an easter basket for an entire day. My kids ate so much chocolate and sugar. They must be wondering what is wrong with me. "Why isn't mom taking away this basket? I'd better stuff some more of this in my mouth before she realizes what I have here."
I have very fond memories of Easter as a child. By the way, the Easter Bunny is real. Every Easter morning my mom would make sure all of our blinds were shut. Then she would go outside "to have a conversation with the Easter Bunny." I never really wondered why I was never invited. But, hey, now I get to have the same conversation with him for the next 10 to 15 years. My dad in his maroon night robe and slippers would be making breakfast in our tiny yellow kitchen. Bacon popped on the skillet, he'd open the window to let the slight smoke disappear outside. The radio would be crackling the oldies station. He would read his paper while my brothers and I would pace obediently around the house while my mom would have her "talk" outside. She'd come inside, disperse the brown paper sacks, and we'd be off. She would hover over each child as we sped through the yard. Maybe she'd just hover over me because I was the youngest and needed more help finding eggs. We all found tons of eggs and ate tons of candy for days. Rarely would it last a week. We were so happy each Easter.
Thank you Easter Bunny. We love you!!!!
The only problem with this is that it totally leaves out the real meaning of Easter. There must be a way to join this secular, materialistic, slothfulness promoting holiday to our Savior. It seems wrong to do so if I put it that way. I guess that they should not be joined. I think that my answer is to separate the days. Easter Bunny on Saturday. Jesus on Sunday. I'll have to discuss my idea with my husband. Now that I think about it more and more, it seems right. My troubles are over! What a genius idea!