Did the grass sing?
Easter didn't start out so great for me. I had to work, which is just wrong. I was raised by a generation that was already realizing some people have to work on Sundays. I mean, at the very least, we ate at restaurants on Sunday, thereby reveling in the fact that some people had to work. But still, I also always went to church. AL-ways. My work schedule is a long story I'm not really telling here, but suffice it to say, I didn't want to be at home working yesterday. I wanted to be in a church building singing resurrection songs. Then, on top of this, there was the Easter bunny saga.Who knew my children even believed in the Easter bunny? I thought it was one of those things you play along with but don't actually believe. Like the tooth fairy. Although don't get me started on the last time I spewed hatred at that poor mythical character, but remembering to trade out a bloody tooth under your child's pillow and replace it with money is just too much to ask of us poor exhausted parents. So anyway, they do still believe apparently and they talked all about it with each other only TWO days ago, describing in detail the two things they expected from him, which I don't think can even be found in this town. So in the morning they found their baskets and candy and replacement gift with appropriate delight. But they can't stop talking about the things they had wished for and how perhaps they can save up for them. I haven't yet heard any theories as to why the bunny robbed them, and they never actually fussed, but still. This is why I hate the Easter bunny. On a normal day, like say, a Tuesday or something, there's all kinds of magic surrounding them. Every time I have remembered to buy their favorite snack. The time Drew asked me to pray that he would find his digital pirates clock from McDonalds, and then after kissing him goodnight, I DID find it and brought it to him, and heard John say, "Mama's great isn't she?" Oh for Tuesdays! When ordinary miracles are so easy to find. But believing the Easter bunny will somehow know that you wanted the Lord of the Rings video game in time to actually find it and buy it and that somehow he's going to get it into your house only two days after you said this out loud to your mother? I can't produce that kind of magic!
And as long as I'm complaining, who moved Easter up this year? It was snowing here. SNOWING. Little girls in white dresses froze to death. It was ridiculous.
Fortunately, Michael's mother totally came through for us, as she always does. She is so good at holidays. She had the huge hunt, the actual vinegar in water egg-coloring, gifts and candy, a hot, delicious meal, and to top it off, she had church. The grandchildren each read portions of the bible and she talked with them about the real reason we celebrate. If Sandi Patti had been there to sing ("Was it a morning like this?"), I think I would have come full circle from grouchy to glorious.
As it is, I came half circle, and a good night's sleep got me the rest of the way. I'm glad it's Monday now, that I'm two days into my work week, that He's risen, and that it's no longer snowing. I'm glad there are endless possibilities for magic again and that nobody is expecting them to come from an omnicient rabbit with candy and eggs. And the sun is actually shining, so I do wonder if it was a morning like this. Did it sing? Did the earth rejoice to feel you again? Man, I love that line.