Easter with a Twist

This coming Sunday people all over the world will be celebrating Easter.  

As a child, I went to church with my mom and siblings every Sunday so going to church on Easter Sunday was no different from what we would normally have done.  What was different was going shopping for a new Easter outfit. That included new patent leather shoes, white socks with lace around the top cuff, a purse (my favorite looked like a little parasol), white gloves (yes, really!), a hat (yep!), a new petticoat (slip) – preferably the kind that had the plastic blow-up ring around the edge so that the slip was full and incredibly bouncy, and, of course, a new dress.

There was an Easter egg hunt in the yard, before church, and any little candies that I found in plastic Easter eggs went right into my new purse, so I could snack on them (in church) when no one was looking.  After church, we would share a special lunch with some family friends. While the dads would play guitars, and the moms would talk, the kids played baseball in the field across the street.  

It was a special day in so many ways.

As I grew up, Easter became a more meaningful holiday for me.  I understood that it commemorated the resurrection of Jesus and what that meant to me personally.   Going to church on Easter Sunday became a different experience for me. I wasn’t sneaking candy snacks anymore. Although for a long time, I still liked to have a new dress for Easter, I did give up the hat, gloves, purse, fancy slip, and lace-edged socks.  But what I came to love most about Easter services was the music. It was loud and triumphant. It was full of majesty and hope for the future.

This year will be different for many of us.  We won’t be gathering and celebrating with friends. We won’t be going to church. And I was sad that I would miss the special Easter music.

But the most incredible thing is taking place in my neighborhood!

At 7:00 am, Sunday morning, vocalists and musicians in my community will be standing in their own yards, singing and playing their instruments. All at the same time. They will be using speakers to blast their praises so that all can hear.  What an incredible gift they are giving to so many!

This was the idea of Grace Bubulka, who lives near us. She is encouraging those in other communities to do the same.  

Did you ever see the movie or read the story about the Grinch who Stole Christmas?  As he looked over the valley where he expected everyone to be unhappy, one person started singing, then another joined in, then another, and another. Soon all were singing and all were happy.  

Wouldn’t it be a marvelous thing to have this type of event take place in other neighborhoods as well? Your neighborhood?  There are a few days before Easter.  If you start now, you could pull this off!  I say, go for it!

My sister and I (ages 10 and 5), Easter Sunday.

Thank you to Grace, for her fabulous Easter Celebration idea!

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Comments (9)

  1. Mary Rellinger

    how awesome Karen!
    I too am missing out on going to Church. First time, at least of what I recollect, that I haven’t gone to a Church Service for Easter in my entire life. BUT… what my husband and I are going to do is still wake up & get dressed as if we are. There is going to be a livestream on TV and another livestream on fb (2 different services).
    Afterwards, we plan on doing some form of videochat with our 2 kids who haven’t been able to come home (I just wont let them come home and from a moms mouth & heart, that just seems so wrong to me and hurts.) Yet, they both understand. Actually they both don’t want to come home as they know it would put me at such a horrible risk as I am very immune compromised. I truly am blessed with a wonderful family of 4.

    We actually were thinking to videochat with them as we colored eggs …. it was always a fun family thing we did. Yes, even as adults!

    No. I didn’t get to the stores and buy any Eastery goodies. But what IS Easter about truly? It isn’t about those things that come in a basket that a rabbit delivers, now is it? Silly rabbit, tricks are for kids! (LOL…I couldn’t resist!)

    I hope you and all who are reading this have a blessed Easter and remember the true meaning.

    I pray this pandemic ends soon. Stay Strong/Stay Safe/Stay Healthy

    ~Mary

    April 9, 2020 at 5:01 pm
    • Karen

      I would imagine a lot of us will be doing the live-streaming this Sunday. Thank goodness for technology that allows us to do that, and also chat and see our kids and grandkids! How fun to videochat while you are doing the same activity. That would be totally fun!!
      Stay well, Mary.

      April 11, 2020 at 8:50 am
  2. Helen Toole

    I will also be participating! I am a new student of Grace’s! It is a totally wonderful idea ?! I love the comparison to “The Who’s”! They didn’t let that Dastererdly Fellow – the Grinch, steal their Joy! ?????

    April 11, 2020 at 7:23 am
    • Karen

      That is awesome, Helen! I am so hoping we can here everyone where we are!! God bless all of your efforts!

      April 11, 2020 at 8:48 am
  3. Tammy Jewell

    So cute! You look like a little Shirley Temple! 🙂

    April 11, 2020 at 7:41 am
    • Karen

      HAHA Thanks, Tammy. The Shirley Temple look was a result of the permanents my mom gave me… seemingly every other week… but I’m sure it was more like several months. 🙂

      April 11, 2020 at 8:47 am
  4. DeLoris Musick

    What wonderful memories you have as a child at Easter. I so love the idea of everyone standing in their yards singing and playing instruments. it would be nice if somehow someone could capture it and upload it to You Tube and share on Facebook! I hope you have a great time! I love the pic of you and your sister. I’m thinking you are the oldest. it looks like you!
    happy Easter!

    April 11, 2020 at 7:57 am
    • Karen

      No, I am the little one in the picture; the youngest by 5 years. I will try to capture the sound on my phone and share it if it turns out. Happy Easter!

      April 11, 2020 at 8:46 am
  5. Joyce Swaim

    Thank you so much for sharing parts of your Easter experiences with us. I love that your neighborhood is celebrating Easter in this way…how wonderful.
    Happy Easter, Stay safe and healthy.
    Hugs,
    Joyce

    April 11, 2020 at 10:45 am
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