Happy Easter from my quarantine to yours. Let’s start with the tough stuff. Normally, on this day every year, we wake up, find baskets and eggs, and then get ready to travel to go visit our family in the city; where we share a meal and togetherness. We have the chance to further the bond with grandparents, great grandparents, aunts, and uncles. Our children would happily engage in egg hunts with their cousins and relatives as onlooking adults find the childish joy rekindle a forgotten happiness in their souls. We would pray together, giving thanks for a meal, and remind each other and ourselves of the meaning of Easter, and to the children’s disappointment, debunk the idea that bunnies lay eggs. We would be dressed in our best and happy to oblige to photo ops to help solidify the memories made together on this day. It’s in the back of our minds that we don’t know how many of these holidays we have left with some of the people we love the most. At the end of the day, our tummies and hearts full, we would head for home, as a blanket of darkness signifies a time to rest. My husband and I would look forward to the drive home, when the children would give into sleep (hopefully), and we could spend the remainder of the time conversing quietly with one another, expressing how grateful we are to share in one another’s company.
We miss them. Video calls are not the same, but a worthy substitute given the circumstances. It’s difficult to recreate the magic of a holiday once shared with numerous loved ones and the reprieve felt by their presence. This year, I didn’t focus as heavily on the festivities, like I have in the past, as distraction has become an unwelcome friend.
Upon my realization of this, I attempted to scramble last minute to still make this day special. I had to evaluate what resources I had at my fingertips. What could I do, given what I had, that didn’t require going to a store, that would not only be meaningful, but leave a positive memory of this time for my children? Honestly, doing this from a place of depletion is a daunting task. Because, living in isolation has left many of us depleted, and to this, I’m not immune.
It came to me that I had fabric long waiting to be sewn into form, and from this, I made with love and care, an article of clothing for each of my children. They knew I was working on this project for them. They saw me. They had an appreciation for the time spent to carefully assemble each of their gifts. When finished, I decided to call them their ‘Quarantine Easter Pants’, and ‘Quarantine Easter Sleeper’ for the baby. I let each child wear them as soon as they were removed from the sewing machine; the excitement for who was next in line built joyful anticipation.
My older daughter, mirrored the excitement of such a custom gift, and offered to sew pockets onto the pants of the older children. I gladly let her. She then decided she wanted to do more; she asked if she could hide the eggs this year, and set the table with their Easter baskets. I was thrilled with her desire for reciprocity, and an opportunity to lighten some of the “load.” To her, this was not a burden, but an exciting opportunity, and she did a wonderful job! My heart swelled with pride watching her lead the younger children on an egg hunt, having the table set with baskets she filled with gifts (her own trinkets, homemade coupons, and notes), and preparing pie dough for Easter dinner.
My husband led the children in folding a mountain of laundry I had made a couple futile attempts to start, then had to retire due to other motherhood duties beckoning. I wasn’t exactly looking forward to the task and it was only growing with each passing day I avoided it. At least it’s clean clothes, I’d tell myself… But this morning, they all stepped up and got the job done. This was the best gift. There was one less weight resting on my weary shoulders.
This is what it’s about, I thought. Doing the best with what we have. Finding the hidden opportunities. Seeing reciprocity, and building gratitude. We will be in touch with loved ones today virtually. Though it’s a day to celebrate that Christ has risen, we will rest. We’ll sit cozy by our fire in our ‘Quarantine Easter Clothes’, grateful to not travel in the winter storm. We’ll read, play, cook, bake, eat, and say a prayer together. We’ll continue to build our family muscle, giving us the strength to face this together. We too, will rise to the occasion, despite the death of tradition. We are sending our love from afar into your homes.
Stay home. Stay safe. Happy Easter.