HAPPY EASTER EVERYONE
Wherever you are
Whatever your faith, your tradition
your belief or your ritual
Celebrate this Day With Gladness
With Joy
With Gratitude
Did the Easter Bunny come to your house last night? Are there baskets filled with goodies and candies and little foil papers here, there and everywhere???
Still dark here in Tarpon Springs... but so far I got nuthin I tell ya... nuthin! I've looked, the four-leggeds are still sleepin; the coffee just brewed and I'm out on the lanai... maybe that furry little bunny is still on its way to me...
SO........ I'll just sit here and enjoy the quiet and wait for the light and wait for the BUNNY... {heehe}
hmmm... coffee is wonderful to have my memories with this morning... remembering the last sunrise service with Granny many many moons ago... We were at Ocean City that year, and boy oh boy was it frigid. Decided to make sunrise service on the beach... Granny thought we had lost our "cotton pickin minds" as we all were half frozen before the service began; but oh what a service it was... as that sun rose over the ocean, the music rose with it, and it was truly something... We seemed to get warmer then... "Happy Easter Granny and Happy Easter family, wish we were together today!"
Sweet memories I guess will greet many today, as folks wake up and scurry about getting ready for their day... in many traditions, faiths and customs...
Christians throughout the world celebrate Easter as the day Jesus Christ rose from the dead. Even though Christianity is largely the reason the holiday is so widely celebrated and has stood the test of time, Easter has roots in pagan traditions as well ~
There is always debates, arguments, sane and insane as to the origin of the name of Easter and most other holidays, but, most will agree and believe ancient Anglo-Saxons as well as the first Americans celebrated the return of spring and the renewal and rebirth of the Earth with a great celebration. Native Americans, pagans, Wiccans were celebrating spring, long before Christianity... just for those who might be interested... those rituals were instrumental to the seasons of birth, new beginnings and fertilizing the crops, the new life for many ~
This celebration was named after the goddess of spring, Eostre.
After Christian missionaries encountered these Saxons, and first Americans, and integrated their belief systems into the traditions,
Easter developed its name!
Now wasn't that said in a lovely and "politically correct" way this early on a Sunday morning"?
Easter has become a holiday for many that is again thought of as a time of "bursting forth into spring", "coming into the light if you will!
The crops, the flowers springing from the dirt, the light longer ~ a balancing of the days and nights ~ and did I mention CHOCOLATE...
It seems so fitting that Lily the North American Black Bear in Ely MN who has been watched by thousands and thousands of people across the globe since January of 2010 gave us HOPE... and here we are moving into a new beginning and HOPE springs out of the den... now climbing a tree... a bit more each day... higher and higher... without fear {at least not that we can see} a little tiny cub showing the world that we can move from the dark, into the light!
It is the time! 96,000 fans now want to call Easter, "Bear-ster" this year! haha
The rabbit has long been a symbol of fertility and is believed to have been the earthly representation of the goddess of spring, Eostre. As Pagan and Christian and Pagan traditions merged, the Easter Bunny became a staple in the celebration... some would say that "Cadbury" is Easter if you watch TV and see the millions of dollars spent in ads for the holiday!
Just this week on the fan page, a reader commented about the significance of bunnies since her parent had died; another reader has talked about when she is in need of a sign or a validation of worries, she will often look out her back door and there waiting like an old friend is Mr Bunny! Bears are like that for some as well. People connect to animal guides that way... ah but again I digress... It's Easter... bunnies, rabbits, chicks...
Anyone remember the 5 and 10 cent stores that used to sell those colored chicks during Easter for 25cents???
WE all wanted them, had to have them... then we would turn around and there would be LIVE BUNNY RABBITS... oh wow!!! Everyone had to have them... it wasn't Easter without them. Never did have one of those ~ ~ ~
Ah, Easter... maybe I could just put some ears on the dogs if they ever wake up this morning... heehe now that would be pretty funny!
Rabbits and chicks represent the rebirth of Earth. and oh boy do they multiply!
Spring is a time when the Earth is literally reborn. Barren fields become lush green, trees get new foliage and flowers and fruits abound.
The Easter bunny is definitely the most beloved symbol of Easter and extremely popular with children of all ages... In fact, if you look back through history it may have been the hare and not the rabbit that was associated with Easter.
The hare is legendary because it is believed to never close its eyes – not even to blink. Can you even imagine... I have trouble having a stare down with the Godsons' Kamryn and D'Vante! But to never close your eyes...
Rabbits on the other hand are born blind. Hares were thought to be staring at the full moon all through the night. The hare was also a symbol of fertility linked to the Greek goddess of fertility - Eostre. However, rabbits are more fertile than hare and far more prolific reproducers, bless their little hearts... sure am glad I wasn't born a rabbit!
Thus, the transition from the hare to the rabbit as a symbol of Easter!
Remember Art Linkletter and that show, "Kids Say The Darnedest Things"? I just loved that show! Bet they would have a lot to say about that don't you?
Then at Easter and before and too long after we have the onslaught of Easter lilies... beautiful for awhile, but then they make you feel like they have outstayed their welcome, or at least have out stayed their welcome with me. Guess I just have been to too many funerals in my lifetime.
The white lily is thought to be pure as Christ and a symbol of the purity of the new life that comes from being resurrected. The white lily did not gain popularity in America until the 1800s. However if you do want to ever send me flowers, my absolute favorite is white mountain lilies and white roses... together in a word... "stunning"!
The Native American lilies were summer flowers. They could be made to bloom early in time for Easter using hothouse conditions but the hassle did not seem worth it. It was in the 1880s that Ms. Sargent on a trip to Bermuda, fell in love with the Bermuda white lily, which blooms in springtime. She brought home some bulbs to Philadelphia and a nurseryman called W.Harris fostered its popularity. Subsequently, the white Bermuda lily became the accepted symbol for Easter and is the most popular flower for Easter decorations today. Now isn't this just a spiffy bit of information on Easter morning for ya? Think HOPE gave me more inspiration than you probably wanted, so feel free to come back here tomorrow and re-read all of this! LOL
And then we have the songs and the clothing... Remember: you got to get a new outfit for Easter, for spring, new shoes maybe... a bonnet? YIPPY SKIPPY!!! But it came with a price tag when you were a kid: you couldn't get dirty, you couldn't go outside and play, and you had to go to church and Sunday School! And heaven help you if you spilled anything on it!!! Better never never never ever think about jumpin in a mud puddle.... thinking about it was as bad as doing it I think!
You see, A new Easter outfit supposedly symbolizes a new life. It stands for shedding the old and welcoming the new. That makes sense right? In a way... c'mon stretch into this idea...
Sunrise services are more of an event that happened in the days when people woke up at the crack of dawn. It was a way to welcome the light after a long, dark winter, and the really wonderful sunrise services seem to be held on top of a mountain or the edge of the ocean... not always possible but certainly are wonderful. Afterwards folks tend to gravitate back to the church for an awesome time of fellowship and a wonderful breakfast! Then home to fix the meal for later in the day if the cooking wasn't started the day before... and somewhere in there is time for a nap I would think!
And then friends and family gather, and they gather and they eat, eat and eat some more... while others meet at restaurants for a meal and togetherness.
OOPS... I hear something... "Here comes Peter Cotton Tail hoppin down the bunny trail" or "In your Easter Bonnet with all the frills upon it ...",
or, "It's beginning to look alot like EAster... " haha
But, if you live in Tarpon Springs, you would be hearing firecrackers that started last night... they do like the firecrackers and fireworks here... I think it's a "Greek thing" LOL
It's the four-leggeds! And they are OFF! Running with wild abandon around the pool like they are crazed and just been bit by the Easter Bunny ~
Oh yes, Art Linkletter ... remember that show...
Well as I end for this day and once again search for my Easter Basket... I just know as I was sitting here lost in these thoughts that my basket was probably delivered by the Easter Bunny and I just didn't hear...that is probably what woke the dogs and got them ready to STOMP INTO SUNDAY IN SUCH A FLURRY ~ ~ ~ HOPE SPRINGS ETERNAL
Thought I would share some insights on Easter with you from the mouths of babes that I casually asked around about with this question:
"When you think of Easter, what does it mean to ya"
1. 8 y/o: "umm, it means food, and um, candy and the Easter Bunny comin to your house and um goin to Sunday School and ummm oh yea and bein with family.
2. 15 y/o "money, food,
3. 80 y/o "it's about all those people comin' to my house and bringin that damn candy they know I don't like and that funeral flower"
4. 8 y/o Godson Kamryn: It's about family, friends, good food, feast on Easter day, love each other and love God
5. 15 y/o Godson D'Vante: Easter egg hunt, money, food, vacation sometimes, Resurrection of Jesus, goin' to church
6. 8 y/o Granddaughter Olivia: I was upset when kids at school thought is was all about bunnies' and candy. It's about when Jesus was "framed" and died on the cross for us. {gotta love her}
7. 9 y/o Cannis: Time with family and friends. I love the excitement of waking up and seeing what the Easter bunny has left for everyone and all the food and fun just makes me feel so overjoyed and happy.
8. 10 y/o at Walgreens: Easter is when all this stuff gets bought and given to us kids and then it goes on sale and we get more. The stores make Easter so we can have more candy and stuff.
9. Easter is a food religion.
10. Molly in Virginia: Easter is a celebration of bunnies.
So there you go... Easter 2010 and all its wonder...
Lily a North American Black Bear gave us HOPE ~ ~
And He/She did it again... the sun is shining, and today... OUTSHINE THE SUN FRIENDS... OUTSHINE THE SUN ~
Happy Easter to you and to me
The fire here is burning brightly with HOPE
the ember is hot and on the wind
I am sending prayers of thoughts and energy of
HOPE IN HEALING
Please wrap your thoughts and your prayers for all those that need it
and for that have asked
Chris we have you in thoughts and prayers and the army of angels are right there with you...
Jilly bear spirit and protection are with you every step along the journey, after all you have HOPE
I was asked to enlist the powerful folks that visit here to hold a little precious 6 year old named Shelby in thoughts and healing energy, who is fighting for her life... Please know that we are doing that right here, right now ~
For,
Vicki's Mom, Judi Moga, Cindy Vance, Little Shelby, Denise, Jim, Jill, Laura, and _______________
The Janowski and Kapetanis Families in Tarpon Springs FL in your profound time of loss our hearts are with you.
Sending you warm thoughts and many prayers of energy on the smokes into the winds, HOPE in healing on this lovely day, with the strength of many behind the winds ! ~ ~ For those who have asked and those whose voices were heard...
Thank you for your emails, "wado" for your thoughts... They touch my heart, you fill my soul.
Read about Lily the North American Black Bear and see HOPE at www.bear.org The work of Dr Lynn Rogers and Sue Mansfield is remarkable as are they.
if you can, help them... donate to the bear center all the better, they are awesome.
Tonight on the Animal Planet, tune in for their special ... it will be about the bears, have HOPE~
Healing Heartaches continues to receive wonderful reviews and comments... Granny is probably dancing a happy dance in spirit land...
Enjoy this most wonderful day,
SHOUT,
REJOICE
S T O M P
THIS IS YOUR DAY
Walk In Beauty,
author of
Healing Heartaches, Stories of Loss and Life
for your author-graphed copies
also available at:
Amazon.com Borders.com BBTOW.COM
14 comments:
Hoppy Hoppy Easter to all. Thanks for the info. That's alot of new news for me. My head is brimmin over. In fact, I will have to toss some junk out of my mind's file cabinet to absorb it all. Great pic of Hope. A word to the little cub... trees are not usually where one looks to win the easter egg hunt. She has so much to learn... I did have one of those dime-store chicks. From Woolworths. My Great Uncle was the CEO so he always took us there to pick out Barbie Dolls. Why at Easter I don't know. Any historical relevance there Doc?
As for the chicks. I think the were dyed with food coloring. We ALL got them one year. Lots of kids, LOTS of cheepers. They don't live too long as I recall. What DID we feed them? This would be a great time to have Elder's in our families to fill in the blanks! Anyone remember the chick details?
If you can imagine, I grew up in the Southern Baptist Sunrise service tradition too. My Mom prepared breakfast at the church every Easter with the Christian Womens' Circle. We got to crack the eggs. All the ladies scrambled the eggs in elecric skillets throughout the church. Funny now that I think about it. Am currently allergic to my Southern Baptist roots and have been since Jr. High School. We grow and learn. So I will bid you all a great day, lest I compete in length with the blog. As Irene would say... How much coffee did you drink Dear Doc?
HAPPY EASTER TO ALL--hey Sherry--maybe you should switch to tea..wonderful blog today thanks-missing all of my friends and family in Florida. I only have a few more weeks to go before I know when I am coming home--the waiting is just wearing away at my nerves.!!! Hope the Easter Bunny shows up at your house--hehehe-the only thought that comes to mind is like the M & M commerical--"he does exist!" have a great day.....
MOO said the Cow. Why do the chicks always get all the attention?
Sending a "Virtual" Easter Basket to each of you. Savor the chocolate. It's a GREAT DAY to be a bunny. Don't bite thier heads off. ALWAYS start at the feet and work your way up to the ears, they're the best part. It's a food rule. Just thought I'd share.
W H E W ............... I am exhausted reading
My head is about to EXPLODE, but I love to learn from Dr. SES.
Do you sleep at night or think up all the words you will write and the topic ?
They are always so appropriate and dead on.
We had live chicks peeping in a box in the kitchen, we held them, but I never knew what exactly happened to them after Easter week,
Strange............ maybe my siblings know.
Happy Sunny Easter Sunday to all, I am breaking the rule today. Doing laundry and
straightening up my head for another Holiday without family............ Take care, me
Happy Easter to all! I am the only person awake, too! Even the dogs are still asleep. I tried the den cam this morning I will never give up Hope or wanting to catch a glimpse of her and Lilly. I am still grieving for them and shedding a few tears each night at bedtime.
Have to get going and become the Easter Bunny. Peace and love to Hope, Lilly, and all my new Buddies that I have because of them.
Chris, change you head around. Don't think of it as exhausting, stressful days, weeks and moments awaiting your return to FL. Try this on for size. You are with your fam, enjoying early spring up north, past the season of snow and ice. Imagine you were in FL, wishing you could see your kids and grandkids. Now isn't that better? I know it's hard to be away form home, and we too are counting the days until you are back, but for now, Soothe your frayed nerves for today. Enjoy the fam. Eat well, rest and relax. You are a Warrior. You not only have won the battle, you are healing every day. Blessings.
bunnies and chickens and BEARS OH MY.. stories of Easter and thoughts of kids and stuff and songs and thoughts and new thoughts... wow, i will Have to read this more than once ... for all those that are mentioned here, you are in my prayers and thoughts, thanks Dr SEs for letting us know to include them., and Lily did give everyone HOPE.. going to STOMP and take your suggestion to OUTSHINE the sun today... think I might just sing too, that'll give em soething to talk about huh? Have a great day every one and sure do loving this page and the comments and thoughts of everyone who takes the time to type. happy Sunday everyone warriors and bears alike
Easter lillies are really fragrant, but like the chicks, they don't last to long. Thanks for the info on how they came to us, and how it all started. I just knew that Cadbury wasn't responsible for all the fun. Interesting though that this year I have seen more ads about this holiday than usual. Wonder why that is? Ah, the musings of my mind when it is blasted with real facts. Just LOVE this blog. Never know what to expect, except that it always feels impowering, caring and loving. Thanks for remembering those who need our positive thoughts and energy. No stomping for me today. I think I'll hippy hop in honor of the long eared ones. Enjoy.
Well my friend, Hoppy Easter! Did you hear the one about the 2 Rabbits that tried to sit down for a conversation? One went to sit, and said "OH my butt hurts!" and the other one said "What? I can't hear you!" Just visualize that one of "what" got eaten first on those two!! Poor bunnies! I remember the baby chicks...never thought about where they went afterwards, but my Dad got them for me just about every year..sure do miss em! My Dad that is! Also makes the think of our two bunnies we had for years, Tibbar and Hitler (Just cuz he looked like Hitler with his little black rectangular mustache on his cute little white face!) Tibbar and our schnauzer used to chase each other around the yard and house, The schnauzer would start, then Tibbar would flip up in the air, and around at the same time, and she would chase the dog! It was some funny stuff to watch! Anyway, memories and traditions we have, traditions we celebrate, and love is in the air as spring has sprung! If you could just see how lush and green our canal is you'd know it! Hope this day is a day that all can put aside their "battles" for the day and just breathe, pain free, whether physical or mental, just breathe in the beautiful spring air...Okay, those of you with allergies may want to not breathe so deep. I smell the fresh honeysuckle blossom off our grapefruit tree, and they are lovely! Peace to all and I plan to outshine the sun, while I stomp around chasing kids and Chewie! Be safe everyone!!
We actually sold those little colored chicks in our store !! I think we fed them bird seed and yes, they died fairly quick.. Was nice to read this blog this morning.. Quiet day, just the two of us.. Your Granny sounds like my Mom.. My Mom passed on Dec. 26th, so grief is still pretty fresh.. but, as spring rolls along, I remember her and how much she loved the longer days, the ice going off the lake, buds on the treees, things growing and greening up so fast.. She was love.. Things are just different now, but spring still is refreshing and wonderful.. Hoppy Easter!!
Welcome Cindy, So hard to face every "first" after the loss of someone so precious in your life. Just being able to define your Mom as "Love" says it all. Be comforted by the memories you have of her. Know that it takes time for the sadness and raw hurt of her death to pass. Visit us here often. Lots of kind support and warmth on this site. I have learned so much here. Feel free to share your memories, and/or ask for support if you need it. Many have. Hope that this warm spring day holds some comfort for you.
So sorry for your lose, Cindy. Sherry, that wasn't me - I'm in Sarasota, FL. But I did lose my Dad in Dec. '07 - Geesh - over two years. And I love Spring - my fave! I used to live in IL. - I actually still miss the "seasons"
Just how much sugar did you eat??????
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