Easter Traditions

Easter has always been a special time at the cottage.  From earliest memories it was a day full of  happiness.  

It is a day that always has a special place in our hearts. 

  

There was church and and pretty baskets Mrs. Cottage made us full of Christian books and music, lacy socks for church and things for our hair.  Yummy organic snacks and pretty stickers.

Around Easter the year we turned 3 mom said we were in a debate over the movie we were watching.  

We had on 'The Prince of Egypt' and were watching the burning bush scene.  Mrs. Cottage was alone in the kitchen and just tuned in to listen. Here is the dialog. 

B: So, is a burnin bush a Jesus or God? 

C: A burning bush is Jesus.

B: But Jesus is God, so a burning bush is Jesus.

C: No I fink a burnin bush is a Fodder (Father). 

B&C: Mama!

Momma tries to explain...

B&C: Momma, will you a call gampa Bob? (our pastor friend.)

Mom: Yes grabs the phone and dials.

B&C with ears together listening on the phone while Grandpa Bob explains theology to two - two-year-olds.  Then

B: Oh, ok Gampa Bob bye, we love you.

LOL! It still makes us laugh.

Mrs. Cottage and Grandpa Bob were stunned at the conversation of children so young. He said we asked questions 30 year olds don't ask. But it was what it was.  

I know some don't like Easter.  They don't approve of baskets and eggs. But this is a precious post about family and tradition.  Let us be kind. 

Grandma Cottage came from a family of all girls. There she is, the wee one.  They were a poor family that moved often because of financial woes but oh, they were close. They raised chickens when they could to help provide food on the table. Their mom made loaves of fresh bread for them and to sell as well as hot doughnuts that the girls sold door to door to help make ends meet. The girls could smell the bread as they came home from school wafting down the street.  It was magic.  

One of the treats she would make was Hot Cross Buns for Easter.

She would crochet them dresses or make over older dresses for the younger ones to wear to church.

She held little bible studies for children at her home. They didn't have much, but what she did have was love and that she shared with open hands.

 The girls loved to color their chicken's eggs for Easter.  Their mother taught them to blow out the eggs to save them for the special day and would teach the girls about how Jesus came to bring new life, just like the life in the egg. 

Grandma's sweet mother died when she turned 8 years old. This is not long before that.  I can't imagine saying goodbye to my mother so soon.  

Grandma's sister raised the girls too young to not be on their own and they started their own traditions. As Grandma grew up she joined the choir at church and that was a big part of her life.  She had a beautiful voice.

When she grew up and married my handsome grandpa Easter week

they had their own traditions with Easter dinner with his family and precious memories of family.

With the adding of children the traditions changed.  

There was church on Sunday and dyed eggs. 

There was a juicy ham dinner and mashed potatoes and gravy.  

There were moist dinner rolls and children around the table.  

There were heads bowed in prayer and little titters of laughter around the room.  

There were egg hunts and great big hugs. And best of all there was the making of memories that would last for a life time.