We have a few Easter traditions in our family that we look forward to. We go to church, have a light brunch, and then make a traditional ham dinner later in the day. When I was a kid my grandmother would hide Easter baskets for my cousins and me, and we’d also do an egg hunt. Later, we would watch The Ten Commandments. (Funny how television or movies can be a part of your holiday traditions, isn’t it?)

I think traditions are a special part of any holiday. What are your favorite Easter traditions?

Image: sxc.hu.

Post from: Blisstree

Easter Traditions

I told her that the reason I know that I am absolutely finished having children is because I am over being interested and back to being annoyed.

I’m a pretty good volunteer, I do my public service. I focus on my strengths, I enjoy teenagers, especially the “bad” ones, so I volunteer as a mentor and for a teen outreach in the community. I run a book club to give women a place to go hang out with adult conversation. I occasionally clean my mother-in-laws floors, I take my non-driving grandmother grocery shopping or to the pharmacy, I invite my daughter’s best friend over so her mom can go to the doctor. I figure I’m good on the service front.

Today this woman informed me I had to sign up to teach my child’s Sunday school class. When I told her I don’t really like young children and would prefer not to do it she looked at me like I should probably be struck by lightening. I got the same look when I told them I didn’t want to volunteer for vacation bible school.

I understand their logic – everyone needs to pitch in and they need teachers.

But, here’s my logic – I’m sending my daughter to vacation bible school so I can get some work done. I’m going to my own Sunday school class so I can talk to grown ups. I spend all day, all week, all month with my kids – it’s these church services that give me a break from my kids. Signing up to multiply the children I’m responsible for by ten or a hundred is enough to make me want to run screaming.

I like some children. I adore my own and think they are the most interesting people ever created. I don’t mind being around children that are not total misbehaving brats. But, too often my friends even are raising total brats that never have a consequence or rule and I don’t find it the least bit cute. I even have a few friends I think twice before calling because they won’t enforce any type of discipline – no time outs, no spanking, no bed time, nothing – and frankly I’m sick of the whining, crying battle. That’s not fun for me.

Just because my children participate in the children’s ministries – does that obligate me to volunteer there? What do you all think?

Post from: Blisstree

Other People’s Children

“It’s strange for there not to be doughnuts on a Saturday, is it not?”…harped one white-haired, but beautiful woman recently. I think I suggested she buy a cake instead. Although the doughnut line seemed poetic, somehow.

I can always tell what time of day it is by the increase of older customers in the store: Sunday, church is out…it must be 1:00pm.

Immediately after my encounter with my new friend, I started to wonder what kind of older person I will be. Will I be alone? Will I be kind? Sour, bitter, energetic, valued…? Will I cook? Will I travel…have a dog?

I hope I become like one of those fabulous women who’ve decided to write a novel at 60…get it published and then end up on the (older) Oprah show. I’m thinking I’d like to start a foundation of some kind.

And I do plan to be living in New York or England, and stroll the avenues together with one of my other fabulous older women friends.

And I hope to be kind. With lots of doughnuts.

Post from: Blisstree

My Older Self