Easter

I was reading my friend Amanda's blog and smiling at how her descriptions of Easter morning as a kid are exactly as I remember them. I loved growing up in the Epping church and having sunrise service on Easter morning up at Harvey's Hill, followed by breakfast at the church before going home to change into new Easter clothes and heading back to church for the morning service. It was an idyllic time and I love those memories. My church attendance has been pretty spotty in recent years, but this year on Easter I found myself wishing I had a church home where I could go on this day (Mom's church is Maine is just too far of a drive for a short weekend, though it would have been nice to be with everyone up there). Instead I didn't even make it to church at all on Sunday morning, which was too bad, but I think I have a very valid excuse. I spent the majority of Easter weekend hanging out with Jean in her hospital room which, while not particularly festive, was still nice. I got to put together the kids' Easter baskets Sunday morning and then watch their faces light up as they came into her room and saw the baskets. It was good to be with Jean for the weekend and fun to see the kids when they came to visit.

I did get to have some nice family time on Easter afternoon, though it wasn't with my own actual family. Sarah invited me to have Easter dinner with her family, which was very sweet of her. I love Sarah's parents and if I couldn't be with my own family on Easter, being with hers was a nice substitute. Her niece Emma is adorable, as you can see from this picture, and she was filled with lots of Easter excitement. We had a chilly Easter egg hunt outside and a beautiful Easter dinner with lots of good food and good company. Thanks to Sarah for sharing her family with me and helping me have such a nice Easter!