When it comes to holidays, our family has to pick and choose which ones to celebrate big, considering we have 18 birthdays National Holiday’s for immediate family members. I’m serious. This leaves only 300 and 40-something days left. With so many holidays to celebrate – we have to decide where to put our energy.
Add to this – the culture we live in. The best moms are expected to ramp-up well before the celebrated day with holiday appropriate crafts. Seriously, I got a Tweet advertising Mother’s Day crafts on Easter Sunday! Then there’s the clothing dilemma. Promise, I’m not being sarcastic – I truly love Easter dresses and boys in smart suits – it’s part of the celebration to me. Hannah even sent me a picture of Ava and Stella dressed in matching, pink dresses! Gotta love it!
When you add up all the holidays, plus time before and after to prepare and recover, not to mention LIFE that doesn’t take a backseat to any celebration. You can’t help but wonder ~
what’s a mom to do?
Tim and I agreed, years ago, to celebrate what God celebrates! Enough said. This has helped me live with less guilt and more purpose. As believers we hold holidays, like Easter – in the highest place. Easter bunny? Not so much. We celebrate Christmas – to the fullest. Santa? Not a distraction. Father’s Day is all about Dad and my personal favorite is – Mother’s Day! {Not really, it’s Thanksgiving} Plus, in our house we go for the patriotic holidays. (more about that later)
Kids fall right into the groove of celebrating life around them. This gives them purpose and builds conviction amidst the memories. As moms, our job is to plan ahead and nowadays, choose which events we put our efforts towards.
With this thought in mind, I’ll tell you about our Easter and would love to hear about your Easter weekend -
- Tim & I enjoyed a Passover Seder Good Friday, at a friends church in Oklahoma, plus an overnight – just us!
- We attended Easter morning worship service together – the boys dressed up. I love it when they do.
- Splurged with brunch together at Panera Bread – {Tim asked the kids their favorite memories of Easter – they said, Grandma Carolyn’s – the ones who are old enough to remember.}
- Joined friends for afternoon potluck - outside in a picturesque setting – a fabulous meal and sweet fellowship. We marvel that God held off the rain!
After dinner, once loaded up to drive away I noticed a text from our daughter, Priscilla … telling me she misses my mother. She’s thoughtful that way. You see, we always spent Easter at Grandma Carolyn’s house, for years and years, this is how they grew-up. When I read the bitter-sweet reminder – time slowed and I recognized what had been with us all day – her memory. This rhythm of grief beats steady on holidays as we do what God tells us to do ~ remember. I find it ironic yet comforting that our Savior is ‘well acquainted with grief’. (Isaiah 53:3)
This year, Easter was somewhat slow for us, because the day prior was Joel’s 14th birthday!! {National Holiday} All of us squeezed around our big table and ate and ate. We enjoyed doing what we do on birthdays – celebrating life! Everything stopped for us to look at this young man of a boy and tell him what it means for us to know him. Each of us are thankful for his life and he’s been reminded with words and gifts.
I’d love to hear what you did this Easter and so would others. Don’t be shy – please give us a peak at how you celebrate!
Joining We Are THAT Family – Works for Me Wednesday & Some Girl’s Website Thought Provoking Thursdays {follow me there?}
