Day 28 (Sunday, April 12): HAPPY EASTER!

What a strange and beautiful Easter Day. While today was unlike any holiday we have experienced, it was still filled with all I hold dear: Family, Faith, and Friendship.

I slept in a bit this morning, without having to set an alarm to wake up in time for mass. Mass still began at 10am, but instead of rising to shower, get dressed, and leave early enough to get a seat, I (admit I) enjoyed rolling out of bed just in time to make my coffee, log online, and not miss a note of my favorite opening hymn, Jesus Christ is Risen Today. I sang out loud while viewing the near empty church, and tears streamed down my face.

Today was a special and emotional day. I find my emotions run deep these days: alternating between deep gratitude and deep sadness, deep bewilderment and deep love. And today, as we celebrate the Resurrection of the Lord, I am filled with Hope for the future.

Today was also filled with many Easter traditions, respresenting those we love. On (Good) Friday, my husband made his mom’s Easter Pies. I’m sure there is a more-correct Italian name for them, but they are delicious and my boys ask for them each year.
Yesterday, my husband also made my grandfather’s bread, from a nearly-50-year-old recipe (my grandfather died at age 100 in 2005, and was a baker during the latter half of his life, often sharing his daily loaves of bread at church with his daily communicants. But more on him later…)
We enjoyed these Family recipes this morning after celebrating our Faith.

Today I was also grateful for my phone (an item I am often fighting against in my house). Grateful for the text messages from Friends, and grateful for the phone calls and FaceTime with Family. How would we have survived this quarantine 30 years ago with no internet and few cell phones? Probably just fine, but they sure are nice to have.

Jesus didn’t have a cell phone, and his message was made quite clear. Love One Another As I Have Loved You. There is a lot of love going around right now, and it feels good.

Easter Joy.