What's this? Looks like the Easter Bunny to me. Coming to wish you all a very Happy Easter!

Easter brings back so many memories for me. I think of my sister and myself, dressed in our Easter finery. I have pictures of us that positively shout Easter, the two of us obviously stuffed with Easter Bunny chocolate, standing self-consciously against the backdrop of the rose trellis at the old house we grew up in. The sunshine sometimes weak and watery, hesitating between winter and spring. We have on identical dresses, except for color, and sport the same little purses and hats. We smile the way all children do when they're eager to get on with the day and away from the camera.

I study the pictures and know that right after they were taken we went off to church. Sang hymns celebrating the day, and then came home to grandparents and aunts and uncles and ham, probably with scalloped potatoes and peas. And lots of cousins.

I spend the day more quietly now. No grandparents, and the cousins are far away. Even my sister is gone. My own kids are working in our 24/7 world or else visited last week when they could. But the day is still a cause for happiness and reflection. And considering rebirth and Spring and miracles.

Easter. No matter how you spend it, I wish you a happy one.