Easter 2012

Easter eggs - - a western tradition that celebrates rebirth - the very essence of the idea of the God/Man who rose from the dead two thousand years ago.

Though I don’t know the origin of the custom of coloring and decorating hard boiled eggs (though I am sure some reader will tell me), it is always fun to watch others who haven’t seen the custom participate in it for the first time.  I’d first seen Vietnamese introduced to the custom in 2005 during the first spring we spent living in the city of Huế.  Julie, our teaching team mate, had some students from her classes over for a visit - and they had a lot of fun coloring eggs.

Ái Nhân enjoyed herself.  She sat down with Cindy and Grandma and showed her usual artistic self.  She always amazes me - she finds joy while learning and doing, and her creative talents come to the surface quickly whenever an opportunity comes her way.

(As always, be sure to click on each photo.  If you do, you will see a larger version of the photo.)

And I think coloring the eggs was a good thing for Grandma (otherwise known as Thelma, mother of Cindy.)  Activities like this keep memories fresh - memories of doing activities like this as a girl, young woman and mother.  Though the world moves slower for Grandma now, the world may have seemed a little more comfortable while she renewed the old ritual.  I’m sure she enjoyed doing it with Ái Nhân - and being able to bring someone else into the fold.

Of course, Easter baskets were filled, candy added to the plastic grass - and even a bunny for Ái Nhân. 

It was a good evening.

Sunday morning found us in the church house.  (I was too lazy to get up for sunrise service, but Cindy went.)  As has become the norm, Ái Nhân came with us.  That gave her a chance to see a local custom - the flowering of the cross.  The kids bring flowers (hopefully, from home) and some of the ladies of the church arrange them on a cross, which stays displayed through the entire service.

An Easter egg hunt is more cultural than religious - there is even an Easter egg hunt at the White House each year.  It was fun to watch the little kids “hunt” for eggs that were left out in full view on the church lawn.

And it was a good day.  I’ve spent Easter in Việt Nam and in America.  I don’t really care where I spend Easter - I am always happy to have the day - and know the events of the first Easter were all a great gift to me.