Rejoice
Easter Sunday sunrise at Dr. Pfister’s home, 2023
I don’t know how many of my readers have developed their feelings for various holidays, but I have to think we all tend to view each of the major holidays throughout the year based on how we were raised…
I sure do.
My parents were very devoted to our Methodist Church. My father and mother took turns teaching Sunday School. As children, we were expected to be in church for the major Christian holidays.
Then, after church, it was off to see my cousins! Due to our very close ages and exactly the same genders as my siblings and I, we were in seventh heaven when we were able to see them.
Charles Pfister, 8-years-old, celebrates Easter Sunday with his 5-year-old sister, Suzan, in Hinckley, Ohio.
I have fond memories of the parents trying to secretly hide eggs for our yearly Easter egg hunt, many of which weren’t found until the Fourth of July picnic!
Times change, parents pass, and last weekend my wife and I were hosting my family of 30+ members. Naturally, I found myself hiding Easter eggs for the little ones.
Turn the page to this weekend and we are hosting my wife’s family. (And you guessed it, yes, we are planning another Easter egg hunt!)
My wife is the matriarch of her family and I am the third in line as patriarch of my family.
Several months ago, we surveyed our families and discovered no one really wanted to host Easter!
There were lots of excuses produced by busy life styles and crazy schedules. (I won’t bore my readers with the nitty gritty details, because I’m sure every family has a stack of them.)
That being said, my family’s Easter celebration last week came off far better than I could have ever imagined.
Our ages went from my Goddaughter’s newborn of 15-weeks-old to a 78-year-old uncle and yes, we had half a dozen little ones under 11.
Some cash and coin in plastic eggs kept the interest high, as nearly 100 eggs were found and squirreled away by each of the young participants.
As I stood back and watched the enthusiasm of each young person squealing with joy, finding a purple egg nestled in a shrub, I heard my father’s voice in my head… “What if you hadn’t hosted?”
I could have taken my family out to dinner after church and been done with it, home in 3 hours, and watched NASCAR from the couch. I must be honest with you, that was what I was planning on doing around Valentine’s Day!
Instead, I memorized a better-than-normal prayer that covered everything from the Easter Bunny to the rolling back of the stone. A few wept… a few smiled… but they all listened and then we all hugged and wished each other a Happy Easter.
The food was great — everybody brought something they thought their parents used to bring; and the fellowship went on into the evening.
That evening (and all the next day), my wife and I were inundated with texts from all corners of the family, thanking us and remarking how much love our family shares and how lucky we are to have each other.
And it almost didn’t happen!
My point in writing this is that, as parents, we need to lay the groundwork for memories to be built.
We have all heard comments or seen quotes like, “Yes, we used to get together, but life is too busy now.” Or, “Who really cares if we do or don’t get together?”
Please, do not become a victim of Covid-induced apathy (or modern society apathy)!
It takes a little time and less cash than you might think, but hosting a family get-together (especially on a holiday weekend) will warm your heart and soul like nothing else on earth.
Memories are best made when opportunity meets preparation, and what better opportunity than holiday get-togethers!
Slowing down and sharing love and moments together with family members is what gives life its special meaning.
It’s in mentoring the next generation (a generation surrounded by negative AI in many forms) that humans can show what differentiates us in our warmth, our love shared, and a mutual appreciation of our Great Creator.
As parents, we have a charge to show the next generation that there is more to Christmas than Santa and more to Easter than a Bunny… a whole lot more.
In closing, it may be too late for you to host Easter this year, but there is still Memorial Day, Fourth of July, or just make one up that can be a new tradition for your family.
Build that bonfire, or should I say bondfire, with your family.
Slow down and enjoy life with those around you. They may not always be here to enjoy!
May the joys of Easter fill your heart with gladness.
Wishing you and yours peace this Easter Season.
Have a blessed holiday filled with happiness, love, and faith…
Rejoice, He has risen!
- Dr. Pfister