"The Book of Me, Written by You" - Easter Memories

The prompt for the week is:    

Easter Memories

The Brief:

• What does Easter Mean to you?
• A religious event? 
• A more general Spring/Autumn event
• Easter Bunnies
• Eggs
• Chocolate
• Traditions

Easter has to be one of the more religious meanings for Polish persons. This being said, when I was growing up, my mother didn't even encourage me to attend church let alone go every Sunday or even during religious times like Easter or Christmas. As we are Roman Catholics, this was basically blasphemy in our religion. 

I think the major reason behind these feelings was due to how my grandmother forced my mother to go to church every week multiple times and go through all the religious instruction. Even today my mother can't understand why my grandmother Janet had her do the religious instruction and was so insistent on it. Because of doing the family's genealogy, I can say why now whereas before I couldn't. My grandmother Janet was first generation American, and her parents found their identities with the church. That being said, it was also the place where they would go for social functions as persons attending the same churches spoke the same languages and grew up with the same customs. It was a home away from home for them. 

Anyhow, getting back to Easter, it means a rebirth of a new year and time to start something a new or renew something in your life if you so desire. 

Growing up, Easter was time to color hard boiled eggs and then when you woke up you found the eggs and received chocolate. There was Easter egg hunts but they were for richer people I was told. If I was lucky, I might have heard "Here Comes Peter Cottontail" once but that was very rare. Sometimes if my father was around, I would either be taken over to spend time with him and family or, if he remembered, he would come and pick me up to spend Easter with him.

Easter 1978 at my father's house with my Easter "basket" on the bear skinned rug

Growing up I did try out different religions which was interesting, but still identify myself with being a Roman Catholic after going around and trying them. I also found by learning about the others, it opens your eyes and you respect all of the religions and not just your own.

Since getting married and moving to Australia, I do not hard boil and color eggs anymore - just too expensive and I'd end up eating them all anyway. However, if we ever do get lucky enough I would bring back the tradition for the kids. I do still go out and get rabbits and other Easter candy for us to eat with the provision that at least one bunny per person stays in the "basket" until Easter morning.

Easter morning we get up and its one of the two days a year where you are allowed to have chocolate before noon. The dog usually gets liver treats, which looks like our chocolate to eat for the morning as well. Sometimes I do make a cake and shape in an Easter bunny face as well.

  Check back for the continuation of "The Book of me, Written by You" series.